Childminder/Nanny or Nursery?

[walmer3]

DS has been going to a nursery either practically full-time or (at the moment) 2 mornings a week since he was about 6 months and has thrived on it. We changed his nursery about 5 months ago, coinciding with a house move and the birth of DD (and hence also my mat leave which is why he's not there as much at the moment). When I go back to work he will be 3 and eligible for the next intake of government assisted nursery places a month or so later. His current nursery participates in the scheme so we could get the costs subsidised.
When I am back at work the nursery costs for both children will be about £800-£900.
What I am trying to get my head around is whether there are any benefits in switching to a childminder for both children? I have no idea what the cost would be in comparison (I am in central Scotland). What happens in that case about the nursery place - does he just do without because presumably a childminder wouldn't be interested in just providing care for part of the day (and doing all the picking up or dropping off from nursery)? Is there any alternative benefit in employing a childminder or nanny at home for both children?
TBH I might not be puzzling over this but DS has been making frequent comments which makes me think he's not that happy at the new nursery. The carers there say he is doing great and as he's a very communicative sociable child I wouldn't disbelieve that - but on the other hand, if there are changes to be made, I'd rather get them sorted well before I go back to work.
Sorry for all the detail - any advice or comments would be very much appreciated.
(Also posting this on childminder/nanny board).
Thank you!

Just to answer one of your questions, a childminder would usually be able to do nursery drop offs and pick ups, but would still charge for a full day because they wouldn't be able to fill a space for just 2 1/2 hours. They are usually restricted to 3 under 5s at a time.

without sounding rude, if money is a bit tight, then a CM would be the better option, and more in your price range ( using your 800/900 as a budget)

a nanny would cost more than that, depending on area/exp etc,but as you have 2 young children would advise using someone with either a qualification/and or a few years exp

as moshie said, you would still have to pay a CM for the hours they are not looking after your children,and they might not have 2 places for both your children fulltime

why not ask your ds if he is happy at nursery? sure at 3 he could tell you if he likes it

are there any other nurseries in your area that you could use if he doesnt like it?

Moshie thank you, I don't have the first clue about what would be expected re childminding. It makes sense that they'd charge for the full day.
Imananny - not rude at all! Thanks for your comments. It's a question of finding the right solution for all at a reasonable price. One of my concerns is that DS every week cries a little and asks to go back to the 'old nursery' - qhen quizzed further he doesn't say anythign specific about the 'new' nursery that he doesn't like - and the carers are backing this up by saying he is friendly and sociable and not at all unhappy when he's there. But after four/five months of being there twice a week I'd have hoped that he'd have settled in and so I feel I need to pay heed to the little comments.

It sounds as though he's missing his old nursery, which is making it hard to settle at the new one, plus if he's only going two mornings a week, it takes longer to settle anyway.
I'd get a list of childminders and ring around for an idea of fees and availability.
I do think childminders are better for babies, and your children would be together with a childminder rather than in separate rooms.I am a cm though so am obviously biased.