Nursery vs childminder for 14 month old

[staffieslobber]

Sorry if this is a bit of a long one. 14 month old DD has been going to nursery for about 3 months now (quite on and off due to all the nursery bugs, plus one of the staff had covid so we took her out for a week for that). She took a while to settle but seems fine there now, doesn't cry at drop off, eats her food, naps etc. The thing is, that when she was off nursery due to covid we sent her to an emergency childminder instead and she LOVED it, which made me question whether nursery is really the best place for her TBH I didn't think about it too much before we started her at the nursery, but having read up a bit more it seems that a childminder might be better developmentally? We've now found one (unfortunately she can't go back to the emergency one that she loved as too far away) who gets really good reviews and we're visiting her tomorrow, but I don't know whether moving DD now would be just another mistake?? The nursery is quite big, with up to 12 babies and 4 staff in the baby room at one time. It must be quite overwhelming, but at the same time I like that she's mixing with lots of local children her own age (she is an only child so I really want to make sure she has lots of friends).

Any thoughts? I just don't know what to do

Up to you really. My LO was a pandemic baby so I chose nursery to try and get them to mix with as many other babies as they could (and build up her immune system!)

How many other babies does the childminder look after at the same time?

How many other babies does the childminder look after at the same time?

Good question - that's something I need to ask tomorrow

I'd choose a childminder over nursery for a baby that age, every time.

My 23 month old has been going to a childminder since he was 12 months and has always loved it. He is with 2 or 3 others during the day and more after school hours and is really sociable. He does not get to mix much with other children outside the setting so this is important to me.

He gets a few bugs to build his immune system but from what I have heard less than those attending nursery and I have not needed to take time off work as a result.

The main disadvantage is that my childminder is quite restrictive on her hours and there are few others locally so she can dictate the terms.

For me personally a good childminder is preferable to a nursery but others will have different priorities.

I don't think one is necessarily better than the other comes down to personal choice but in case useful some of the reasons I chose a childminder recently for my 17month old were

1. I liked the homely environment
2. I liked the fact it was just two staff (her and her assistant) for me and my son to get to know
3. I liked the fact that she took them out lots of places - more opportunities
4. I liked the idea of a slight mix of ages - learn from eachother
5. I liked the fact she made all the food from scratch

One thing to be aware of is there isn't always another person available if a childminder can't work for a particular reason. Less of a problem at nursery.

@ReggaetonLente even if baby is already settled at nursery?

CM can only have one baby under 1.
3 children under school age at one time.
So should only be DC and 2 others. It very much depends on what you are looking for. Childminder is a home from home, lots of trips out, baby group but be careful who you pick.
Personally I'd choice a childminder for a baby. Nursery for 2 1/2-3 years old to get them really for pre school/school.

Childminder 100% at that age. They will have so much more attention and if you find a good one you might find they offer very similar activities - trips out, forest school, baking etc. I know lots of the childminders around here do all that. It sounds like your Lo is already telling you!

There's no clear cut answer, a good nursery is better than a bad childminder and vice versa and some kids are more suited to busier or quieter atmospheres.

Mine have gone to childminder from one then nursery from three. I think nursery is good to get them used to a group environment before school.

Everything @becca3210 said for me, too.
When they are very young, I like the home from home situation.
My CMers took all mine to groups so they still got that experience in the same way that parents take their dc to groups if they are at home with them.

I mean, there are no doubt some weaker CMers and some better, and many excellent ones, and there are a few brilliant Nurseries, plenty of good Nurseries and many that are 'okay' and sadly some that I can't understand why parents leave their dc there, so no-one can say all of one sort of care is better than all of the other sort, so it is personal preference really.
At that age, I think I dislike the fact that generally babies in Nursery just spend all their time in the one room , with a slot outside in the garden, and don't go out and about like CMers are able to do that makes a huge difference to me.

All depends on the childminder, some will take them to community activities etc and snuggle up on the sofa for a bit of CBeebies when they are feeling a bit off colour more like a parent would, others are less hands on

Both mine have been to nursery and loved it. It’s a very personal choice though. My youngest DD is 2 and her nursery isn’t huge. The staff know her extremely well and they do lots of messy play. Outdoors as much as the children want. Visits to the local play park. Train station and they’ve recently had a bus from the local bus company come to visit. I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer though and even if your little one is settled in nursery if you think they’d get more out of going to a childminder then I’d move them x

Mine have done both and i generally prefer nursery though loved childminder. Ds1 is now 12. He went to nursery 2 days a week from 9 months. He totally thrived. Then at 4 he started preschool half days at primary school so moved to a childminder for the 2 afternoons. He did love it but i felt the toddlers there didnt do as much as he did at nursery.

Ds is 18 months. I decided with him to use the childminder ds 1 previously went to. He started settling in sessions at 5 months. He has disabilities though so it soon became clear she couldn't care for him. He needa 1 to 1. I had to give up work. He has now started 2 afternoons a week at a nursery (with extra support and a 1 to 1). He loves it and it has really helped with som3 of his development which is severely delayed. Hes only just learned to sit unsupported for short periods.

I would choose a childminder over a nursery at that age - if they are looking after a couple of children of different ages, it will be much more of a family environment than a room full of babies and more beneficial for your baby's social development, sort of like having siblings.

I've had experience of both and although the nursery setting was fine for my first born I wish we went down the childminder route.

My second daughter goes to a childminder and she loves it. They are always out and about for walks activity centres learning and development classes they meet up with other childminders too. It's just so lovely.

I know each childminder offers different things so check it out if you think it will benefit your child's personality. My daughter is an extreme explorer and would never have coped being stuck in the same nursery setting day in and day out.

It’s personal choice. I don’t really trust people and would never give my child to a lone person to look after because there’s nobody watching. I’m not saying they’re going to abuse necessarily but they may be lazier than if they were following the routines and expectations of nursery. In nursery there’s eyes on everyone all the time

It's personal choice but given that she is already quite settled and you have absolutely no way of knowing that she will like this childminder as much as she liked the emergency one I would stick with the nursery where she is happy. Too much chopping and changing so quickly would I imagine be quite disorientating for her.

I chose nursery for mine from 7 mths (went back to work early) they loved it. They never missed a day due to staff sickness and the nursery was less likely to take bank Holidays off when I was still working. Friends had these problems with CM

Thanks all.

Those saying definitely childminder etc - is this taking in to account that she is settled at nursery?

I would choose childminder over nursery.

@staffieslobber

Thanks all.

Those saying definitely childminder etc - is this taking in to account that she is settled at nursery?

You have to think that your child is likely going to be in that setting until preschool so you can either bite the bullet if you feel your little one will benefit more in the long run with a childminder or keep then where they are.

It doesn't last long adapting to a new setting. I also think with a childminder they get more attention as there are less children.

I'm not saying nurseries are a bad choice but from my experience a nursery could never provide what my childminder does.

Do what you feel is best there's no wrong choice it depends on your child and their needs

I think childminder is better till about 3 years when some pre-school is good before school starts the next year.

I loved our childminder as my daughter was in a family home environment whilst I was at work; it was like she had a second mother. She bonded with the childminder's kids and the other mindees even though most were different ages. The older ones taught her things and the younger ones taught her to be patient and caring. She was out and about everyday at the park, forest school, toddler groups, soft play etc. She went in the buggy on the school run so got used to the school and played in the playground whilst waiting for the big kids. The childminder knew her almost as well as we did so could tailor her education to suit her perfectly. She learned much more there than at her pre-school that she attended for half the week when she turned 3. She got 1:1 attention when the younger ones were napping.

My DD is 11 months and goes to a childminder 2 days and nursery 2days.
Childminder she started at 3 months and absolutely loves her. They go on days out, walks, and she gets lots of attention. She also loves the older children (both 2) who she attends with, and the CM daughter. Development wise I think it’s been great for her. I loved the homely aspect and that she was going out and seeing things. However I couldn’t put her the extra days due to availability, but also due to if CM is off sick / holiday I’ve no childcare cover.

Nursery 15other similar ages children and 4/5 staff in her room, but large nursery. She likes it, but I don’t know if she has the same love for it, but this may be due to her still settling in. But it’s helping her social interaction, and gives me that cover, without having the uncertainty of days being missed. She plays with the other children, but doesn’t seem to have the same bond.

Short version of my view is that childminder is better for under 3s who have 'normal' development. My child is disabled so actually nursery is better for him as he gets 1 to 1. However this wouldn't be available at private nursery. It is funded via council/disabilities part of social work. A childminder wouldnt manage him along with other kids