How to decide - childminder or nursery - any local recommendations?

[islesofwonder]

We are starting to look for childcare for when I return to work next summer when my son will be approx a year. I'm finding it hard to know what type of care will suit him best - how did others considering both options decide? Also does anyone have any childminder recommendations in the Bruntsfield / Morningside area that they would be willing to pm me. I know lots of people that send their children to nursery but no one that has used or can recommend a childminder! Thanks

Hi, we used a nursery for our kids when they were very little because there were hardly any childminders in our area. We have since sent them to a Childminder. The main difference is obvious - a nursery is an institution, albeit a small one. Your child will be one of maybe 60-odd kids in nursery that might be one of a chain. A good nursery will treat your child as an individual just as a good school will. But they will be one of many and even great nurseries will experience staff turnover. A Childminder looks after your child in a home, not an institution. The atmosphere will be that of a family home. It is more personal and the child's bond will be with that person, not a group of people as it will be in a nursery. There are pros and cons to both. Which you prefer will probably come down to instinct and where you and your child feel most comfortable. A nursery will provide more novelty because it can. But a good childminder may suit your child more as it will be cosier and there will be only a handful of kids. One practical point that may matter - nurseries barely close; chilminders take holidays. Good luck and trust your instincts and you will make the right choice.

We went down the nursery route as we did not want to be tied to childminders holidays or have to worry about sorting out cover if the child minder was sick.

In nursery they do provide individualised care but as they get older they do have to fit into nursery routine. This has never caused us any problem. My kids love the range of activities on offer and the social aspect of nursery. We are lucky though that we only need to use nursery 2 days a week.

Don't know any childminders in the Morningside area. It may be worth a visit to some of the playgroups to see if you can meet any of them there!

Good luck

I chose a childminder because my ds was at school nursery when I returned to work and dd was at school. She works term time only which suited me as I work on a term time only job too. In 9 years she has only been off sick at short notice once and once when she was admitted to hospital but her husband, daughter and mum are all registered too so always plenty back up.

I looked a numerous nurseries for dd, but they were all full in the baby room and none would have space for when I would have needed it. But those were the days when you got only 14 weeks maternity leave.

I would have happily have used a nursery if I'd been able to get a place.

Thanks all for comments. I'm just finding if difficult having to make a choice now, without knowing what will be likely to suit him best when he is a year old. I'll try and see a range of nurseries and meet some childminders and choose whatever feels best ... Which I guess is ultimately what everyone does!