Childminder, nanny or nursery? For under 18months old

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Just wondering if anyone has experience with the above and which they preferred for 18months or below?

Sometimes childminders work in a small team (usually with dh or an other assistant) to take on more children, one of our local cm's does this....there's 3 adults and 9 children in a massive house with a big garden, that could be the best of both worlds - lots of activities, not just one carer, but also not too big and overwhelming?

I think a lot depends on DCs personality as well, some thrive in the busy atmosphere of nursery and some find it too much and would rather potter about at home/on school runs with a cm and only another DC or 2.

We share a nanny and it's the ideal arrangement for us. Stability, 1:1 bonding, when he is sick she cares for him, she takes him and the others out every day, and they do special trips, consistent buddies he has bonded with. With the share it costs about the same as a nursery would.

I felt my son's personality was wrong for nursery - he gets overstimulated if too much is going on - and I wanted a real stable bond with one caregiver. My nanny genuinely loves him and has never taken a sick day.

With nursery it would depend on how many hours/days and the level of experience of the nursery staff. But under 18 months I think babies are better off with a nanny/childminder. It wouldn't be my first choice for a baby. One of my children had a combination of relative and nursery from 2. The nursery was a surestart centre connected to a local primary school, the staff were fantastic and most are still there. It's a great nursery.
When my first child started primary I worked for an education agency as a supply teacher, but I said I was willing to do daycare/TA cover if needed as the money was good.
I was sent to over 10 private nurseries and a couple of surestart children's centres and non-profit nurseries connected to primary schools as well. They were a much higher standard than the nurseries run by companies, with more experienced, educated, dedicated and happy staff, so that would be my preference starting point if I had to choose nursery.
But with childminders and nannies you can build up a relationship with them personally and so can your child.

Things to consider:

1. cost and practicality. 1:1 nanny is obviously more expensive. In our area CM and nursery costs were comparable. CMs may be more flexible day-to-day and do extra hours, but you have to cover holidays and illness etc. Also consider if your child is ill - nurseries may be stricter at keeping your child off if they are ill, so you still have to deal with that, it's not just about the CM being ill.

2. Caregiver relationships. CM probably offers a more consistent relationship with a single caregiver, but there can be advantages to having more people available in a nursery - can a CM devote the time to rocking a child to sleep? Can a nursery?

3. Environment. Nurseries tend towards being bigger, more opportunities and stimulation day-to-day but more hectic. CM environments tend towards more homely, and more likely to be involved in regular activities like trips to shops, school runs etc but all this varies - some nurseries are small and homely, not all CMs do school runs etc

4. long term vs short term. What are you looking for when your baby becomes a toddler? Is that the same as what you are looking for now? Would you rather change them to a different setting to better meet their needs later, or would you rather have continuity? I know some people who have maintained a relationship with the same childminder from baby to providing wrap-around at primary school.

I have worked in nurserys and also been a nanny. Im now about to become a childminder.

For babies and toddlers I would say nanny or childminder every time. Its much better for them to have a strong bond with one person. Also there is much more flexibility for getting out and about, rather than spending the majority of the day in one room.

Childminders are only allowed 1 child under the age of 12 months (although twins can be accepted too), or up to 3 children aged 1. In nurserys there can be many many babies in one room, yes the staff ratios are correct but it can be chaotic, noisy with lots of crying and its very difficult to meet each childs individual need. In one nursery i was told not to pick up crying babies as it would spoil them, which was horrible. I picked them up anyway but other staff werent happy about it! In my opinion babys and young toddlers need lots of attention and comfort, and they are more likely to get this in a nanny/childminder situation.

Some babies have a more sensitive personality than others. This type of baby especially shouldnt be in a busy nursery. So take your babies personality into consideration too. A very sociable, adaptable and boisterous type may do better in a nursery.

I would never put a baby in a nursery. However this is just my opinion. Go and visit as many settings as you can, and go multiple times so you get a proper feel for the place. Trust your gut.

Messybun247 wanna be our childminder haha you sound fab x

There is no wrong or right really it's all totally down to your baby and you
Ibwent back to work in December last year when ds was 10mo.
In March last year I visited 12 childminders (!!) Till I found one I really liked and booked. I couldnt imagine a baby goujg to nursery.Throughout the year we went to baby groups regularly and he really came on leaps and bounds. As December approached I went and saw a few nurseries just to rule out that idea and ended up changing my mind completely and realised that my very sociable boy would actually thrive in this setting.
He has now been there 5 months and he absolutely loves it. He can talk brilliantly, he's been walking confidently since he started, they go out loads and he loves the staff.
This time last year I couldn't imagine it at all but I'm so glad I changed my mind
I'd definitely visit both nurseries and childminders if I were you and take your child with you.
If they seem intimidated and anxious at nursery but confident at the childminder setting then that may make your mind up

Good luck!