It really depends on the staff member and the child, Katy. Not very helpful, am I?
We have had three staff members with children:
Number one worked fine. One of our two managers (who we would have not wanted to open the nursery without) came to us with a 2 year old and a ten month old. I think she found the settling-in for her ten month old difficult to begin with but she had a travel cot in the office and, failing her sleeping there, would take her out for a walk in the pushchair during her break. Once her DD2 had slept, all was well with the world! No probs with her being distracted at all and things have worked out well. Her DD1 is now at school (grandma drops off and collects) DD2 is still with us and she has just had a DS1. We are expecting her back form mat leave next summer with DS1.
We provide two concurrent (sp?) free places per manager,one for deputies, 50% for all other staff.
Number two.Hmmm. was our deputy with a DS at nursery until she went on mat leave and didn't return (we could not provide free care for her DD.)
We had a few problems here as she would allow her DS to pretty much do as he liked while asking other children to sit down when required etc. Didn't work out, TBH.
Number three. Nursery nurse. DD in a different room to her. DD was v.happy, mum was very anxious. Mum left to have a DS and didn't return after mat leave. Again, as we could not give her a subsidised place on her second child.
HTH.