Nursery verses childminder.

[Jennifersmum]

Hi all. I'm going back to work in april and need to sort out some child care for a 4 month old. Her grandma has said she'll have her for 2 days which means i need to organise something for the 3rd day.
Does anyone have any views on which is the best sort of child care to use?
Child minders seem to be slightly cheaper but i'd rather pay a bit more if it would be better to use a day nursery.

What does eveyone think?

Personally, I would use a childminder for a baby of that age. I think children can get lots of great things out of a nursery setting but that 4 months is probably a bit young to get those things out of it.

If it was my baby I would want them in a home environment.

That's just me though.

I would say nursery all the way. DS2 went to nursery from 4 months and DS1 from 6. One of my main reasons for nursery is that there are several nursery nurses and if there was any issue with any of them the others would be able to spot it. I was always concerned about them going to a childminder before they were old enough to talk in case there was a problem. (How do you know they haven't locked them in a cupboard all day!!!???
unless they can tell you?)

Also at a child minder they will be looking after older children as well (at nursery all age groups stay together) so the baby may get neglected in favour of the more demanding 2 and 3 years who also may be in apsotion to do soemthing to your baby if they are so inclined.

Also with a childminder you are reliant on one person so if they have problems, iillnesses etc you will be left high and dry to sort out alternative childcare.

Sorry, just popped back to say I think that what research has been done in this area says that group childcare in a nursery setting isn't very suitable for babies. Will try to find something about the studies it relates to and come back..

Noodledoodledoo, hello! I'm fairly sure my childminder doesn't lock my DD in a cupboard all day.

Good point though, unfortunately there are no guarantees in any childcare setting, including nurseries - you just have to look at the recent case in the nursery in Plymouth to see that.

Look around at both options. Don't make any decisions until you have seen what is available in your area. It can be more about how you get on with the childcare provider. Some nurseries are very welcoming places, others are not. Same with childminders... some you feel really contented with, others you are on edge. Trust you gut feelings, your instincts will tell you often when you have found somewhere you like.
Then do some settling in sessions, so you get to know the place better... staying with your baby to start with, then leaving your baby for an hour, two hours etc. Ask for references - chat to other parents who use the nursery, chat to other parents who use the childminder. See if what is said fits with your gut instincts.

If you can, I would choose a small nursery setting. One which takes maybe 8 babies maximum. That gives you the best of both I think. I had many concerns about leaving DS with a childminder, most of which have been covered by NoodleDoodleDoToo.

My DD has been at a great nursery and I think she has enjoyed it, but I have occasionally wondered if she would have been happier with a childminder, she loves being in a home environment.
Bear in mind you can change if it doesn't feel right.