Childminder or nursery..

[GoldNumbers]

I know its late! Can't sleep for some reason will bump in morning if no replies.

I had a viewing at a nursery today for my DD she should be starting at 12 weeks. My 2 year old DS goes to a different nursery which she can't start until she's 6 months old.

I went to view this other nursery and I just got a bad 'feeling' it wasn't bright and colourful like my DS's nursery. i can't put my finger on it but I just know im not keen. There's not many nurseries close to me that take them this young and that was the only one with places. so now moving on to looking at childminders.

Does anyone have any experience with childminders? Are they in any way any better/worse than nurseries? Pros and cons of each?

trust your instincts! if it didn't feel right then do not send her there!!

I looked into both and ultimately for me it came down to cost and the "homely" feel of a childminder.

at 12 weeks she is still very small and needs that contact and cuddles so for me I would be looking at a childminder who has low numbers. your local county council website should have a list as does childcare.Co.uk, talk to other parents locally but when you speak to childminders again go with your instinct. I "interviewed" 3 and 1 stood out far above the rest and made me feel so at ease. ask them for references and Ofsted reports. the good ones will hand over with no fuss any who stall stay away from

For me personally, at that age I would go for a childminder. I just feel it would be more hands on but it all depends on the nurseries/childminders in your area.

I would discount the nursery you've seen already completely. Go with your gut reaction.

Above all trust your instincts.

If you ask if cms are better than nurseries then half of the people are going to say yes an half are going to say no but is all up to you. It was my preference to send dc to a nursery btw. But if you are not happy with the setting then by all means visit many cms until you find a good one.

Good luck.

My son started with a childminder at 7 months. I never once considered a nursery. I think at that age (personally, until the age of 2), they benefit more from more one-to-one attention, less routine, more flexibility. ..
I say this having worked in nurseries.
He's been very happy.
Of course quality can vary greatly, but if you find a childminder you trust, who is recommended, and who seems genuinely excited about looking after your child, I think that's better than nursery for very little ones.

Research has shown that for very young children under 2 a consistent single carer is the best thing - so if that isn't a parent or family member, a nanny or childminder would tend to be better than a nursery. Not that nurseries can't achieve that, with small numbers and consistent key workers in the babies room, but that isn't always possible. For a small baby the most important thing is a loving, nurturing setting with a consistent carer who gets to know his or her needs. If you didn't like this nursery then keep looking and look at childminders and nannies too.

Would it make financial sense with two children to go with a CM or nanny who could take both? Keeping siblings together can really help younger children settle into childcare - plus the practicalities of one setting with one drop off are very helpful for family life!

Can you please share the research sarah?

I think the issue a lot of people have with nursery / CM is trust - and feel that nursery is more "transparent" - however I have always used a CM, it was initially meant to be a short term thing until nursery place became available, but the baby room in this nursery on several visits just didn't feel right so he stayed with the CM and I am so glad. I prefer the home environment and I am not fussed about reports on structured activities etc. also they can provide after / before school / holiday care as they get
Older (I know it seems a long way off!)

I'm choosing a childminder for my 8 month old as they provide more flexibility (earlier start time and term time only) and I feel much happier with him going to a home setting where if he's really upset she will take him for a walk to get him to sleep /calm him down something unthinkable in a nursery setting. I also worked in nurseries in the past but I know many people whose children are very happy in them. Go meet a few childminders ideally through recommendations and see how they compare

I looked into nurseries initially for my DS who was due to start at 9 months. I felt the same as you about what was our best nursery option. Booked him in anyway and 2 weeks before settling in I started losing sleep. I then looked up some childminders and the 1st one we visited just felt right. I cancelled his lace at the nursery and he's been with the CM ever since. He's 3 years old.

Hi guys thanks for all your replies.

Ive been to see a childminder today and I got a really good feel from her!

Thanks so much

I never even considered a nursery for my childcare. I didn't like to think of DS being one of twenty or something, for me nursery just didn't seem personal enough.

I met with five childminders over the course of two weeks and it was the fifth one I chose as I instantly warmed to her and knew that DS would be really cared for.

DS is nearly 11m/o and the childminder has 3 other children she looks after aged 18m, 2yr and 3yr. All the other children love DS and never stop kissing and cuddling him.

She takes him on days out to soft play areas, the park, petting zoos etc and she always sends me photos of him doing various activities. He has the biggest smile on his face in every photo.

I love the thought of him being in a homely environment with a few other children, all cuddled up on the sofa eating their snacks and watching Peppa Pig. I am so happy that he's in a home-from-home environment.

It's also great as she provides short notice childcare for me. She had DS for me for two hours last week (at 15 minutes notice) so I could go and pick up my new car

Glad to hear you found a CM you liked OP. :)

I personally went with a nursery (went to look round 4 and chose the less high-tech one but the staff and babies all seemed happy and the place had a good vibe) For me i was worried that as she was so young and at the time still had colic (just about to turn 4 months) i wanted more than one adult there so they could swap if she was crying non-stop rather than just ride it out and get frustrated

Ive gone childminder.
We too visited a nursery but it seemed with the babies that they just wanted to keep them asleep all day, not ideal. I actually cried when we left because i was so disappointed.

My mum was a childminder and i remember as a little girl really enjoying the activities / atmosphere.

Also most childminders are more flexible, e.g. If dd has a snotty nose nursery is likley to turn her away for 72 hours and the one i visited required a doctors note to give calpol!! Not helpful. The childminder would take her (unless v poorly - but then you'd want to be at home anyway) and administer calpol.
Then there is the closeness element 12 weeks is so young you'll be reassured by fact that you can text / call your childminder and check up on him/her or leave an instruction and be sure it will be carried through. A childminder can only have one child under one year old - so get one booked quick!

Speak to a few until it feels right.

You must trust your instincts but nurseries can be very different

DD started at hers at 4 months. She got lots of cuddles and has bonded really well with a number of the staff. I think this has been great for her ability to build relationships she's comfortable with. She'll readily go to others and isn't precious about where she gets her comfort from - handy as DH and I both work ft.

We're coming up to get first year in nursery this month. She's thrived. she gets all sorts if activities / regular messy play / time outside / lots of other children to play with in lots of space. I'm delighted with it.

Nursery also gives me reliability. And accountability - she has a learning journal online that is updated regularly and let's me see what she's been up to; as well as good debriefs each evening. Both really important for me.