childminder -v- nursery???

8 replies

SuziQ74 · 23/01/2015 09:16

Hi I am currently looking at childcare for my little boy who is 8 months old. I have looked at a few nurseries but I just haven't been that impressed by them. Also my working hours don't fit exactly into their definition of morning/afternoon sessions. So I'm thinking a childminder would be my best option but I'm really nervous about choosing the right one. It might sound daft but I am worried about leaving him alone with just one person all day. I would love some advice from anyone on how they chose their childminder. Thank you :-)

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twentyten · 23/01/2015 09:22

Best advice is visit lots- you will know where you feel happy. I saw about 10 and "knew" when I walked in which one was right for dd. trust your instinct.

Nolim · 23/01/2015 11:24

Agree with twenty.

CityDweller · 11/02/2015 17:17

Visit lots and do trust your gut. Our first cm I went with my head, rather than heart and it didn't work out. Current cm I knew from just speaking to her on the phone that she was a good fit for us.

And I was much more comfortable leaving DD with one person with whom she'd develop a close attachment than putting her in an institutional setting.

Only downside of cms is you're dependent on just one person, so if they or their kids get ill, you're stuffed. Our cm is also 'closed' (ie on holiday) far more than a nursery. But still, we stick with the cm because DD loves her and she loves DD.

worriedmummy32 · 14/02/2015 17:28

I would say do lots of settling in sessions, and a couple where you stay. I found a cm I loved then realised after a few settling in sessions that it wasn't a good fit. also ask heaps of questions, even things you think might be obvious, there are good websites online that list lots of questions. we have a cm now who is great.

girliefriend · 14/02/2015 17:34

I decided a cm would be better for my dd (who was also 8 months when I went back to work) as she was easily over stimulated and I thought a nursery environment would be too much for her. Plus I think it is better for a baby to have one key worker to form an attachment to (think there is evidence to support this theory as well)

I would recommend you visit a few and trust your instincts, do the children look happy and relaxed? Do they go out to toddler groups? What does a typical day look like? Is their a contingency plan for if the cm is ill? Do they provide food? Are they part of a cm group?

Just a few of the questions I would be asking!

I have been fortunate with cm, dd has had 2 and both have been brilliant.

1stBabyQuestions · 15/02/2015 16:39

Speaking as a CM, (but previously managed 3 outstanding nurseries) I think for under 3s CM are the best choice. I'm not saying babies don't do well in nurseries, but for me there is a quality of care that a little one needs that you just cannot achieve in nurseries because of the size of the operation.

Yes if a CM is ill or on holiday it can be harder to find alternate childcare, however the bonds I have formed with my children and parents have far out shone than those made when I was nursery manager. You also have to consider high turn over of staff that you commonly find in nurseries (blame the terrible wages the nursery nurses are on!) it may mean that your child could be with a different member of staff often.

Also simple pleasures like being able to go to park or to shops everyday is just not possible when in a nursery. When a child is slightly under the weather and they just need a cuddle and a warm blanket, being in the home environment, as opposed to an artificial, bright room, is so much better for them!

gourd · 24/02/2015 14:02

Personally i would choose a Cm for babies. At age 2 or 3 or 4 nurseries may provide more fun & interest than a cm - but it depends if the cm has other 2-3 year olds. If not than socialising with others their age is v important and helps with settling into a school environment, nursery may be more stimulating & more fun for a toddler or pre-schooler. Babies need more one to one care, they don't really interact with other babies anyway, & the home environment was my preferred option for dd when she was 10 months - plus the flexibility of a cm is a great bonus. Dd loves nursery (shes been going since just before her 3rd birthday) but it has the downside for parents of being difficult to manage if child is feeling unwell plus there is no flexibility to swap days or hours.

BellaCB · 24/02/2015 14:09

Pure gut feeling. I met our CM and I just, instantly, that this was a woman I would trust DD with. She was loving and kind and that was all I really wanted at that stage.

There are practical things to consider - you want to check they'll support your feeding and eventual discipline methods, that you think their house is suitable childproofed, how many kids they have and things like that.

But really its a gut instinct, and if your gut hasn't liked the nurseries then that tells you a lot.

Plus as previous posters have said, for a very young child I prefered the idea of the home environment, of having the routine of school runs and playgroups and the like which was quite similar to what we did at home. And cuddles on the sofa when they were a bit under the weather - anecdotally, our CM has taken DD on days when nurseries haven't had our friends DC, as she had more ability to keep things quiet for a slightly grumpy, slightly tired child.

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