Nursery..childminder..nursery..childminder?

[NewMamma21]

Looking into childcare options & needing some advice.

DD will be 1 when she starts in summer. I’m torn between a childminder, a nursery or a combination. I’ve jotted down a few of the pros & cons I’m thinking about but would love others experiences & advice.

Nursery
easier to drop off later & pick up earlier (flexible work hours)
more children for her to play with
no commute as walking distance (I often wfh)
more staff around (but others have warned about staff being occupied with one child or sickness etc impacting ratios)
no worry with sickness or holiday

Childminder
more homely setting
go on day trips
wider variety of activities
less children so more focussed care (but less staff so no one else to keep an eye out?)

combination
best of both or confusing for DD & she’ll be less likely to settle?

We used a nursery (youngest is 10 now though). They did day trips to museums/attractions etc and often went out locally to the park, library, supermarket, garden centre, even fire station. The big adventure was to go anywhere on the bus! Since DD left they also have someone come in to do “rhythm time” type classes with children.

We chose a nursery in the first place because we couldn’t be tied to holidays set by a childminder.

That depends on the childminder though?
The setting we have chosen for unborn DC includes all of that. We found that childminder settings really vary so its worth looking at a few.

I thought I'd share some of the reasons we are choosing a childminder over a nursery setting:

The one we have chosen is a family run setting (mother and adult daughter), so there is more than one adult. They do just as much educational stuff as nurseries, and have ofsted inspections.

For us, DH & I are quite introverted and both found our own childhood experience of nursery / reception quite overwhelming. DC may not be like us, but we thought it was worth considering our own experiences. I went to a childminder before nursery, & am still in touch with her over 30 years later.

I also want DC to have the opportunity to mix with children of other ages, not just be in the baby room. They are likely to be an only (it's taken us three years to get here) so I'm hoping that a small group of children in the childminders setting will help give them some of the benefits of mixed-age play.

The transition to school should hopefully be easier for all of us, as they can continue to have wrap-around care with their childminder, rather than starting school and a new setting at the same time (although appreciate that won't be needed by all families).

For some additional views - my niece started at a nursery just after she turned one. A nice setting, outstanding, small baby room. She picked up a lot of illnesses there, to be expected. But repeatedly they would call my sister and say niece had a temperature and needed to be picked up, and when she was collected and taken home she seemed fine. But not allowed back for at least 24 hours. So not sure what was going on there. Think she was there maybe half to two thirds of the days they paid for. She was about to move up to the 18 month+ room with up to 20 odd children, and being small for her age and not even confidently walking yet think they were a bit worried how she'd cope with raucous older toddlers and preschoolers.

After five months or so they've decided to switch her to a childminder recommended by a friend. One day a week she's the only preschool age child there during the day, and the other two days she's with the friend's similar age daughter. More kids around before/after school. But seems like she should get plenty of attention, in a home style environment. The childminder sounds very chill about no worries on late pickup fees or dropping off early or anything, just to let her know the day before or on the day even. She's been doing it 20 years and seems like a nice grandmotherly type, they're hoping it suits them all better than nursery at this point.

DD 18mo is combined, with two days at a large Nursey and two days at a childminders.

childminder- she started her at a very young age, so was my option as it’s a more homely setting. She is with older children (2.5-3.5) so always been a big age gap, however I’ve found this has enhanced her development and they look after and play with her. Downside is the childminder does take 5-6weeks holiday per year (was stated before enrollment), so I have no cover for these weeks or if there is sickness. Which is why I combined. I also like that they go to the local parks, shops, and do day trips as I feel this is more inline with our home life and routine. At a young age it was easier to manage her naps. She settled in well and has a close bond with the childminder.

nursery - it did take her longer to settle when she started, but was slightly older. But she loves being a large group of her age range, singing and dancing, playing. It has helped her with her eating and participation in group activities especially sharing. She struggled recently when she moved rooms, as it was different people and children, but again she settled after 2 weeks. It’s a lot more structured at nursery, with naps and meals. But the variety of crafts, socialising, exposure to more foods (they provide food and it’s a very good menu), and the fact they are open all year is beneficial. It is a very outdoor nursery, so whilst they don’t do many day trips, they do spend a lot of time outside and with the nursery animals.

in my opinion, both has worked well for my daughter. She is more tired after Nursey days, so thinks he would struggle being there 4 full days.

I did look into childminders but wasn’t interested in my daughter being strapped into a pram and doing the school run for 2 hours a day

This was my reservation about childminders too.

Ah yes all childminders do 2 hour school runs with all of the children strapped in.

So they don’t do school runs?

Some do, some don't. Ours used to do the school run for one school- 5 minutes each way and they could walk if they wanted rather than go into the pram. Some we looked at didn't do any school runs. One who is doing an hour of them in the morning and the afternoon would be in the minority.

It really is personal.
We used childminders and were very, very happy.
I have, through my work, visited many, many Nurseries and they vary hugely (as, I'm sure CMers do)

I don't understand this:
And YY to the fact nursery provides everything. I don't have to worry about breakfast lunch dinner, nappies, milk, anything with nursery.
as all the childminders I used over 15 years all provided food and drink, but I have visited plenty of Nurseries that do, but also several where the dc take in a packed lunch. The overwhelming majority of Nurseries expect parents to send in nappies for their child.

Being within walking distance is a big bonus, but generally Nurseries tend to charge for a "session" and CMs tend to charge in 'hours' so, if you aren't needing long days, CMs often can work out cheaper.

Re 'school runs'. I really like the fact that my dc went out and walked across the park to take the older ones to school then collected them at the end of the day, for lots of reasons. 1. It meant they were out and about every day, not sitting in the same room all day long. 2. It meant they often had a little stop in the park even on days when it was a bit overcast / you might not have gone otherwise. 3. sometimes they did 'normal things' like go into a shop or post office, with all the learning and language development different environments presented. 4. It meant they were familiar with the school. My CMer (a braver lady than me) even occasionally took them into assemblies or to sports day etc to watch the older ones.

I wouldn't assume all dc get strapped in a car for a long time. Mine never were.

I am def pro nursery - find the right one and you are winning. We love ours, DD joined at 11 months.
Maybe its the area, but I couldnt find a decent CM who could convince me she alone could care for all the children at once, and I worried about day trips out etc and her not being able to keep an eye on all of them at once.

I feel better knowing DD is safe behind locked doors in a wonderful safe environment with lots of helping hands around.

It's such a shame that so many posters have to resort to horribly degrading, and usually inaccurate, comments about childminders to validate their decision to use a nursery. Almost all of the comments from parents who haven't used a childminder.

I'm an outstanding graded childminder (who doesn't work Fridays), I provide all food, nappies etc and I don't do school runs. I don't find it necessary to degrade to work of nursery staff to promote my setting.

Good luck with your decision making OP, as long as you do your research and choose the best setting available for your child and your family's circumstances then you will be fine.

Yes exactly this, I think nurseries are great and absolutely for many people they are the better choice, but some of the ignorant things said about childminders is really irritating (I am not one so have no real vested interest). Its a shame in threads like this as well because it stops people making informed decisions because there's a lot of crap being spouted.

When DD was one, she went to a fantastic childminder. The childminder was a former nursery nurse with a glowing reference from her previous employer.

I think being in a home-from-home setting with one consistent carer was perfect for DD at that age.

The childminder took the little ones on outings, including to toddler groups. DD enjoyed this, but I knew she wouldn’t have wanted to be in a busy environment all day. I think the children had the best of both worlds - fun outings and then a lovely tranquil environment to relax in. DD really bonded with the childminder and the other children.

One downside was that the childminder closed her setting a few times due to holidays, an important family event and her own child catching a contagious disease. I was lucky that my parents lived nearby and could step in.

Also, when DD turned two, the childminder went on maternity leave. It was just about time for DD to move on anyway, so I moved her to a small nursery.

Same old rude comments about childminders from posters who have never used one. I’ve used both nursery and CMs and would opt for CM every time for baby or small toddler. I think the care is much more loving and personal and the setting much more comforting and familiar.

Neither of our CMs did school runs but it wouldn’t bother me if they did. My toddler loves coming on the school run with me on my non work days. Lots of exciting older kids, same friendly adults, lovely walk through the park, getting used to the idea of school before they go.

I have seen disengaged CMs at playgroup but I’ve also seen disengaged nannies. I would never say don’t use a nanny. Just choose carefully.

The holidays and random sick days or cancellations can be a pain though. That’s the only downside for us.

I’m a bit lost as to how it’s rude to say you wouldn’t choose a childminder because of school runs, but it is polite to say you wouldn’t choose a childminder because of holidays.

Most childminders do have school aged children, so obviously do have to do school runs. I’d prefer not to have this in the childcare I choose, so opted for nursery instead. Rude? Hardly!

Thank you everyone, it’s helpful to hear other people’s considerations and experiences. I have another nursery to view and some more childminders to meet so hoping I’ll get a gut instinct along the way.
I keep reminding myself that I can change it later down the line if my choice doesn’t seem to work well for dd.

We have had a really good experience with nursery, but it probably largely depends on the nursery and the childminder. What put me off childminders a bit (and I’m sure not all are like this!) is i often see then out and about and get chatting, one time at soft play in charge of many kids and just sitting on their phones. Another time at an event at the museum, one in charge of loads of kids at once, again not watching them just chatting to friends. One little boy tried to get out the door and had to be stopped by a member of staff - childminders not watching and I don’t blame them as so many others to care for. They said they had got the train to the event which just made be really uneasy as I thought how do you keep track of them all?!? But this is probably me being an overprotective parent. Much easier in a nursery setting with more staff members etc

Some very odd ideas about childminders, imo!

They are all so different, it’s not possible to make these blanket statements.

Some work alone; others work with two or three other childminders or have assistants.
Some don’t provide meals; others are proud of their menus - I cook a 3 course dinner, supper and provide breakfast and snacks. I know another who works with her husband, a qualified chef.
Some provide extras; others charge or request you provide.
Some are out and about; others do activities at home. Some are qualified to provide Forest school and many are at least Level 3 qualified (same as a room leader) or working towards it, or have degrees.

All Early Years, childminder or nursery, follow the same curriculum (the EYFS).
All registered childminders are inspected by Ofsted or a registered agency. Most multiple outstanding awarded settings are childminders.
Funded nursery education may be provided all Good or Outstanding settings.

I have always found it surprising that many parents prize small classes and numbers, with individual attention for their school children, yet want the very opposite for their under 5s, when those things are so much more important.

Op, the best thing you can do is to look at individual settings and providers - nursery and childminder - and see which suits you best. You can mix and match, or you can use either exclusively right up until they go to school.
It’s the quality, not the type of setting, that matters.

Doing the school run for 2 hours a day!!! Doesn’t seem likely. Plus a decent childminder will use the school run as a learning experience. Parents take their children on school runs every single day with no ill effects. Seems like a strange thing for you to be so against!