Better health at childminder vs nursey? Please advise...

[Boboma]

I've never posted a topic here, so I'm hoping that you can help me. My DD (18 mths) is having a rough time health wise. She is at nursery 3 days a week and seems to pick up every bug going. We've just been in hospital for a week, and she has stopped meeting her milestones and only weighs 8 kg.

I'm keeping her off nursery until Christmas and we are living in isolation as much as possible to stay bug free.

I've been thinking about her future....Is there any chance that a childminder would be better since there are fewer children compared to the nursery? Has anyone tried both and found a childminder better? Thanks.

Your poor DD!!

I have had DC simultaneously in both, and can't really remember a difference. IME, CMs provide more individual and consistent care -- more likely to notice if a child is feeling ill.

What milestones do you think your DD missed? The milestones things aren't set in stone, 3 of my DC missed some kind of language 'milestone', they seem to be turning out okay, anyway.

Most childminders attend at least a few toddler groups, so your DD would still get some contact. Which is a good thing, normally, they need the stimulation and socialisation. However, some CMs are more stay-at-home types, it's definnitely worth ringing around to see how they operate. You will probably save money, too. Try to get a personal recommendation. A good CM is worth her weight in gold, but they can't provide as consistent a service as most nurseries (they get ill themselves, etc.)

I don't use either as am a home-edder. If I had to though I would go for a child minder over a nursery anyday. Not just for health reasons but I think interpersonal relationships would be much more healthy. Also its more of a home environment.

My older son did go for about a year but only one afternoon a week, and he hated it and I went against all my mothering instincts and let them drag him off me when he was screaming. Well early seperation that he was not ready for did a lot of damgage.

Boboma - I am in an absolutely identical situation and have been forced to stop work and take DS out of nursery. He started in Sept - he had never even had a cold before so I knew he would catch everything going, but I did not expect the severity of it. Started with a cold, then chicken pox and then more severe ear infections. My DS is nearly 17 months - he had justed started walking but the severe illness and fever assoc with the ear problems has stopped his progress. I am hoping to give him a few months to recover and I am also looking at the CM option, although I have always preferred nursery myself. I think for DS, a CM might be a better option. The good news is, although its hellish at the moment, is that this attack on the immune system is actually good for them and there is even evidence to show that it may reduce the risk of childhood Leukaemia.

Enjoy your time off - don't keep her in isolation though. I am undecided as to whether there will be "less" germs at a CM. Probably not, I am just hoping that when we do try to go back in NY, that his immune system has recovered and is stronger.

Good Luck - will keep you posted on what I decide x

Thanks so much for your replies. I hadn't thought about CMs attending playgroups - so that's very useful info for me to find out, and if they do then it would be just as many germs as nursery. I don't mind her missing milestones (not walking, only says "aa"), I just want to give her the best chance possible - and at the moment I think that her immune system needs a break (pity it's mid winter). We've had a bit of a scare coz she had severe pneumonia and was on last resort antibiotics. Oh if only I could wrap her up in a big chunk of cottonwool!
Thanks for letting me know that you are in the same situation abcmum. Yes, please let me know what you decide.