Childminder or Nursery for a 5 month old?

[stabiliser15]

I am going back to work full time when my DD is 5 months old. My DH will work part time and we're planning on finding childcare for DD for 2 days a week. Just wondering whether anyone had any strong opinions (this is mumsnet after all!) about whether a childminder or nursery is better at this stage? I slightly favour a nursery (just instinctively), my DH favours a childminder. We're looking at both and can see advantages and disadvantages to both. I think we'll end up just picking whatever we like best regardless of what it is, but just wondered what people thought. Thanks.

I think a good childminder is far better than a good nursery for a 5 month old.

Obviously a brilliant nursery is better than a rubbish childminder!

I think you have to look around and see for yourself what childminders are available, and what the nurseries in your area are really like.

Exactly what LA said.

Why do you prefer the idea of a nursery? Maybe we can help you through the specifics.

Thanks for quick responses!

I cant really put my finger on why I prefer the idea of a nursery really. The nursery which I like the most is one to which several friends and colleagues send their children and to which they have sent babies too. Neither DH or myself know our area that well and so personal recommendations feel important to us. This nursery is also less than 5 mins from mine and my DH's work and just had a really happy vibe but in a really structured environment. I guess the things I like about a nursery is that it feels like there is greater accountability and that generally the ratio of nursery nurses to children is greater than with a childminder, that things are more organised rather than the slightly more chaotic (but in a really nice way) CM's house. But this is just based on what we have seen so far.

We've had a look at a couple of nurseries so far and one childminder and will look at more of both before we make a decision. We're very fortunate that there is a lot of provision in our area and therefore can look at several different options which are all utterly outstanding according to Ofsted (although that isnt the only factor, but a good starting place).

The CM we saw recently really laid it on with a trowel that we should pick a CM and was very negative about nurseries and made me feel like only a very bad parent would send a baby to a nursery. It had directly the opposite effect of what she intended because I felt patronised and irritated by the comment.

Can you explain why you feel a CM is better? Or is it just an instinctive thing to you?

I appreciate the help!

My little boy has been in nursery 4 days (8-6) a week since he was 13 weeks old. I have no experience of CMs so I can't comment on what they offer but I've always been very, very happy with my decision on nurseries. They normally have a baby room for 0-1s, a consistent key main carer, and, I would imagine, lots more facilities and toys and variety than on offer at a CMs. I also didn't want the hassle of finding alternative care if CM sick, or on holiday etc. And from a purely selfish point of view I wanted my DS to have a variety of adults caring for him rather than a second "parent" type figure. I also liked the idea of him mixing with the large numbers of children which they do when they do collective nursery activities / outings etc. He's now nearly 2.5 and although I've changed nurseries because we moved house, he still loves nursery and all the activities and things on offer.
It was definitely an instinctive decision for me to choose a nursery and I haven't been disappointed.

I think it's having one other main carer, rather than several that make me think a CM is the better option for a baby.

Also, I would prefer my baby to have a nap in it's own room, rather than a room with other cots/babies. I know some childminders do not provide this, and it would rule them out for me.

I can totally understand why people would consider a nursery safer...no traveling in a car to toddler group,music groups, etc, another adult around to witness if a child is injured, etc. When DD was 2 and I was looking for childcare 2 days a week 2-3 I chose a very small nursery for this reason.

That particular childminder does sound a bit over the top & would be off the list for me too!!

I would choose a childminder because...

• I would prefer the 'home from home' atmosphere.
• I would want them to be out and about doing everyday things (shopping, school run, music group, post office, doctors - whatever I'd be doing with them) rather than always be in the nursery grounds.
• Nurseries (to me) have an institutional feel whereas childminders don't.
• I think it's better for a baby to bond with one other adult than have several different people care for them (in one setting).
• Nurseries can be incredibly noisy and full on a CM not so much so.
• Babies are less likely to be left to cry with a CM than they are in a Nursery.

Not all childminders have loads of children. My niece (1 year) goes to a lovely lady who only has one little boy a few months older than her and a couple of 'after schoolers' who aren't there every night. It's just a matter of looking around to find the right one for your family.

I am sure there are some lovely nurseries too, it just wouldn't be my* choice.

I wish MNHQ would sort out the bloody bolding!! I only bolded MY!! Grrr

Nurseries are institutions. I wouldn't institutionalise a 5 month old baby, personaLLY.

Know some really good CM and some really rubish ones too and the same with Nurseries so I would totally agree with LA. I too would much prefer my 5 month old to be with a good CM.

Make a few more visits to some CM before you decide, don't rule them out because of one.

Personal recommendations are very important imho.

I've been volunteering in a nursery and saw babies who started at 5 months. The nursery where I work is lovely and the staff really cuddly etc, but I still thought that at 5 months they really needed more holding/cuddling than the staf had the time to give.

BUT, these babies are now 9/12 months old and they are very settled, and smiley and happy there, that I still haven't made my mind up re small babies at nursery!

Also, most nurseries really rely on strict (ish) routines with little ones, so it really depends on where you stand on routines.

Thanks everyone. Your comments have given me lots to consider and we will definitely be going to visit some other CMs and nurseries before a decision is made. Thanks for the help.