How do you decide?

[inscotland]

If you go for childminder or a nursery?

I always said I'd want to be a stay at home mum - right from the moment I found out I was pregnant but now I think I really want to go back to my little part-time job.

My hours were only ever 9-1 but I really miss the adult interaction so thinking about going back but I am not sure where to start on deciding if I should go down CM or Nursery route.

How did you decide.

At the time, I went with nursery because "you never know what happens behind closed doors" which I now recognise to be rubbish because there are some very good childminders out there.

DD's at nursery and I like the fact that she has a very structured day and mixes with a range of children from different ages (though she could have this with childminder too).
We ruled out a nanny because unlike a childminder, you don;t need to be registered for that.

I'd have a look around nurseries and interview any available childminders and go with whichever one you get good vibes from. (You might find that your choice of nursery/childminder may not have any places available, so that may decide it for you).

Thanks. Phoned a few places today. Some nurseries were more accomdating than others. One place wouldn't entertain him being a morning session only because their mornings finish at 1 pm - the same time I finish work but they are pretty much 1 street away from where I work so I'd be there by about 8 minutes past! I suppose they've got a business to run though!

I think I will just look at everything and take it from there. Still got to discuss going back to work with DH!

the million dollar question!
I opted for a Nursery because I would know, no matter what my child will be looked after when I needed her to be. No sickness or holiday (from the carer that is) to worry about.

Now 2 years on I want a Childminder as I want my DD to spend time in a home environment mixing with children of various ages and stages, in preparation for school.

I think a nursery setting is quite a selfcentred environment for young children to be in as there every need is catered for. I want my DD to know other people have lives too!

Tough question, pros of childminder is home from home enviroment, normaly on one carer so child can make a positive bond with them. Child gets out and about in the community and mixes with children of all ages. Childminders maybe more flexible. Cons, sickness and holidays. may not have same facilities as nursery (but that is not really a bad thing tbh) Nurseries and childminders both have to follow EYFS now so you are not necessarily getting a better "curriculum" at a nursery. got to judge each individual setting on their own merits whether that be cm or a nursery.

I was originally hoping for a nursery place but there aren't that many under 2 places in my area and private nurseries are prohibitively expensive. So when someone at baby group talked about finding a CM I asked her a lot of detailed questions and went down that route. I was really lucky as the first one I went to see not only seemed lovely, DS has turned out to be very happy there. So it wasn't my first choice, but with a second baby on the way I hope they'll both be at CM until I manage to move out of London (hopefully spring/summer 2010).

Having tried both (and nannies too!), I'm much happier with a childminder for all the reasons others have listed. But it may be tricky to find a cm who can accommodate those hours. Despite that nursery you spoke to being inflexible, they at least operate on half-day sessions whereas it may be unlikely that a cm will have another mindee who only comes for afternoons. But it's not impossible and definitely worth trying. If you find the right person, it makes all the difference to your peace of mind whilst working.

I went with a nursery. I did not want my children to be in a situation where they would come into contact with people I did not know. That was the only reason.