So, we're thinking 3.4yo DD1 could maybe do with a short day (maybe 10-3?) each week with a childminder or in a small nursery group. She spends all the week with either me and DP or her grandparents (no formal arrangement, just nips round there when she feels like it, pretty much) but, since DD2 is only a baby, she is pretty much the centre of attention.
Obviously she has friends round, we go to toddler groups, dancing lesson, HE group, messy play, museums, playing in the street and so on, but I'm always there, in the background, and I worry that maybe she needs a break from me and the rest of the family sometimes.
Once she is school age, she will be able to go to things by herself, such as rainbows, to get that time to be her own little person, but now every activity needs a carer to be present.
Is a childminder the best solution, do you think? Me and DP both work (me from home, to fit round the kids) so we could get tax credits help for the fees, although she is old enough for the free nursery place too.
She did go to nursery for two weeks, but they wanted her in for five afternoon a week, and so nursery took over our entire life, leaving no room to do other things.
We are in Washington, tyne and wear, if that makes a difference...
(X posted on childminders and HE)