Overwhelmed - how to decide on a childcare option...

[SugarGlider]

I'm sitting out my last few days before my DC1 arrives and have been meaning to investigate childcare options and get my baby's name down, as I expect to have to go back to work after six months... BUT I am struggling. I have the list of childminders and nurseries in the area, and there are many options - but I can't begin to think how to narrow them down and what questions to ask when I do... (and I don't know any other parents locally who may be able to make personal recommendation). Anyone been through this?

Bookswapper, I had one child who I looked after from 4 months till 7, I had also looked after his mum from 4 till 10, how about that for continuity of care

I've said it before and I'll say it again, how is it continuity of care if the child has to keep moving rooms in nursery?

shoshe..wow!
Again...I wish you lived near me!

i wanted a relationship like that with the childminder and I almost treated her like one of my family. However, i came away feeling my DS wasn't good enough some how for her to choose another family over mine....isnt that silly!

Moshie, you're right that the room-moving thing is a big issue in choosing a nursery. We looked at one nursery which had them moving every 6 months. Add that to an average amount of staff turnover and that's an awful lot of people to get to know your child. At the nursery we use there are only 2 parts, the baby unit and the nursery units. Some of the staff do shifts in both, and when the child is coming up to nursery unit age they go to play in the nursery unit sometimes. The transition is handled very smoothly.

my DT's switched rooms once a year - baby room (0 - 1), toddler (1 - 2), Tweenie (2 - 3) and they now in pre-school (3 til school). The nursery only has 50 kids, and is run in an old family house, so staff all share the chores and move between room, so boys got to know everyone. It is very rare anyone leaves this nursery, unless they are retiring or going on mat leave, so the kids build up a very strong bond with the staff. I love it.....