Please can you help me make a decision?!?!

[PutThatInYourPipeandSmokeIt]

My 7 month old DD is currently with a childminder (since she was 3.5 months old) and seems happy enough. The lovely local nursery has just offered her a place and now thrown me in to a tizz of indecision! The CM is a mum & daughter team. The daughter is always in bed with a migraine etc and the mum is very good and always there but both the mum and the daughter have their quota of children, so sometimes the brother helps out (who is lovely) or another friendly CM, as required. My DH is not bothered about this and neither am I except that I do have a nagging feeling that any minute now, I'm going to be let down at the last minute (even though it's only happened once in this time, so it is all in my head!). What to do.....
I had DDs name down for the nursery from the beginning but didn't mention it to the CM as I didn't think there would ever be a place for her as they're like gold dust round here.

If we're going for the nursery, I'll need to give the CM notice at the end of this week before she goes on a 2 week holiday. Help!

If it is a really good nursery go for it. Better to have continuity there for the next few years, as it sounds like you could be let down. She should settle with no problems given her age.

I think you're probably right. How do I explain to the CM whilst maintaining a good relationship and possibly using them on an ad hoc basis in the future....? I hate this sort of thing

If the CM is fully booked chances are she will fill your space easily enough.

Just tell her that you now feel that it is time for dd to experience the wider world / it is nearer work / caters for your hours better or anything else that will soften the blow, but basically it is an employer / employee relationship and if you are professional and polite there should be no problem

Good luck

i would stick to the child minder. the baby will get more attention there. sometimes at nurseries they have so many children in, your child if not making a fuss will only get picked up for feeds. think nurseries should only be for over 2 s and 3's as they get what they need out of it. sorry if sound biased, just witnessed few things in my time working in nurseries and willnot be sending my dd there. although my ds did come with me, after he was one, he hated it until he was 2/3 .

just spent a lovely pm working in my nursery babyroom. just 5 x in. with 2 staff and me.(the manager)
Arent they all gorgeous at this age.
we did lots of singing and playing games and i managed to cuddle them all.
It depends on the nursery what the care is like. AND THE MANAGER.

I think if your gut instict is to go for the nursery then that's what you should do. From personal experience, my dd is 3.5 and has been going to our local nursery since she was 11 months and the care has been top class. They all engage briliantly with her, she's happy, the staff are happy and I never worry about what she's doing or how well she's being looked after. Even the babies are played with and cuddled almost constantly, they're never left on their own so the staff can do other thinsg. Obvioulsy it depends on the individual nursey but I wanted to assure you that you can have satisfactory care from a large care provider.

Completely depends on your gut feel. It can't be nice thinking you could be let down at any time - although bear in mind, the rules at the nursery maybe a little stricter than your CM - so bear that in mind too. My DS has been in his nursery since 3 months - and he is now 14 months. He has always been looked after to the highest standard, he loves going there, and he is (as far as I can make out) a really well adjusted child. He doesn't cry when I leave the room - he is sociable (with other kids and adults) and will play - both on his own and with others. I have nothing but good things to say about the nursery I use (if I did - he wouldn't be there) and I believe, as long as you are happy with the nursery - they can be worth their weight in gold ! I see them as a joint carer for my child - in that, they spend more time with him day to day than I do, so DS's relationship with them is really important to me.
I know some people don't recommend nursery's - but to others of us, they can be a fantastic facility and experience for the child. Incidentally - I do check up on my nursery every so often - e.g. turn up in the middle of the day when they are not expecting it (work pending) or pick DS up ealrier than anticipated. If a nursery is good - they shouldn't mind a parent dropping in at un-scheduled times !
Sorry if I've rattled on - but hope you get the point !