Nursery for under 2

[Nursery291]

I have no option but to put my child in nursery full time following my return to work. I suppose I could try a child minder but there is not any available. I’ve been doing some reading - is nursery going to be harmful for my child in the long term ? Is a child minder better. Is there any research?

Please stop ‘reading’. Just as you should never google any health worries, you will never find anything good on there.

Your kid will be fine. Thousands of kids go to nursery and they do just fine. We don’t have a whole generation of traumatized reception children.

No it won’t be harmful - why would it. Thousands of children attend full time nursery and have an amazing time.
How do you think that your child will be damaged?

Your question is a little 'how long is a piece of string?'
It will depend on the quality of nurseries and childminders that you are considering. Also what will suit you better, do you work 9-5 or do you need shift work cover. Also what do you want for your child, what will suit them? A home from home environment or more of a structured setting like a nursery.
You'll have to go and visit a few providers and see what you think would best suit your child.
You will find people have a range of opinions for and against nurseries and childminders. Only you can decide for your child.

I can give you my anecdotal experience which is obviously based on very specific childcare and may not be generalisable.

DC 1 - in nursery part time from 7 months and full time from 12 months. Really liked the nursery but I found it quite hard.

DC 2 - I decided to use a childminder for a more home-like setting. He started with her around 12 months. I quickly felt that it was a bit too home-like, he was on every school run, was going to appointments and shopping with her and watched TV with the big kids after school. It was fine but I felt the focus wasn't really on him and his development. We moved him to a nursery at around 2 and he really loved it. Got to spend all day outside if he wanted and everything was aimed at his age group.

DC 3 - has been at the same nursery as DC2 since he was 6 months (now nearly 2) and has absolutely loved it. I feel like they know him really well. All of the activities are suitable and stimulating for him and he can choose where he wants to be. At a younger age, there are only two children per key worker so they have so much attention but also develop independence through being able to use the environment safely.

I know there are very different nurseries and childminders out there so my advice would be to explore all options and go with what gives you the best feeling.