Why did you decide to use a childminder (as opposed to a nursery)? How do you feel about it now?

[Twinklemegan]

DS used to go to nursery for a day a week but now we've moved out of the area and it looks like we'll have to use a childminder. I've been to see the only one with spaces this evening. She seems very nice, DS settled straight away and DH is happy with her (and he's the SAHD so he gets a big say). Something just doesn't feel right to me, and I think it has a lot to do with another woman looking after my child. Somehow in a home setting this feels more threatening and less safe for DS than in a nursery. Is this irrational?

Also, a related question, how do you feel about your DC going with the childminder in the car to pick up/drop off other children? Am I being stupid to worry about this?

I paid £4.50 an hour and I paid for her holidays (4 weeks a year + publics) while having to find other arrangements. It worked out slightly more expensive than nurseries. I was happy with the care until recently when we were told we no longer had our place for our new baby as she had to take on other children to increase her income up and she wanted to change my girl's hours to fit new children in. So watch that. We have had to remove our daughter and find new childcare for both, a nursery this time. I phoned the authorities re my rights as a service user re a verbal agreement and i have none....so, unless you find a good one beware. Dont fall into the trap of thinking that its not "business first". And CMs are not as flexible as you think. At least at nursery you cant suddenly lose your childcare...

DS started to go to a childminder when he was about 16 months. I chose a childminder because I wanted him to be in a home environment with a "motherly" carer, where he could have a flexible and family vibe going on. Today they played in the garden this morning. Last week they went to trampolining club and toddler group. They eat as a family. She has a ds who is about 3 months older than my ds, and they have a ball together. Sofas, toys aplenty, no rigid timetable, and the freedom for the CM to say "let's go to the park and shops", or "let's have a picnic in the garden" which is pretty much what I might choose to do with him when he's with me.
He starts pre-school in September, when he is 3. But only two afternoons a week. I think ds would have wilted within a more formal environment - he isn't massively keen on large group activities (tried microsports, gymboree and so on and he loathed it). So the CM has been brill.

Completely agree with everything cat64 said. My two have been with the same CM since they were each 8 months old. They view it as their extended family, which is great as we live quite far away from both our 'real' extended families. It's more flexible than nursery, they mix with children of all other ages (4-yo dd1's best friend is nearly 6). Fortunately, the cm and her family also view the mindees as extended family. The CM's teenagers are my babysitters - they appreciate the money, and my dcs know them all really well so we have no problems leaving the dcs with them.
I too could go on for hours . Just to let you know how highyl we think of our CM, DH and I were thinking about whether or not to move house and we both agreed that we'd need to stay in the same area so we don't have to look for new childcare.

DD started going to her childminder three days a week from the age of eleven months. This arrangement continued until she started school. She still spends a day or two with CM during holidays.
I wanted a home environment for my daughter, one key person and focused attention, rather than a nursery with various personnel and divided attention.
I found a wonderful CM and my daughter thrived in her care. I'm really pleased that CM played such a significant role during DD's formative years- I couldn't have found anyone better.
Incidentally, there was no blurring of our roles when CM was off duty- occasionally I would take DD to a party and CM would also be there with her children. DD would always run to me if she was upset or if she needed anything.

I agree that there isn't a blurring of roles. My CM is also my friend and we see each other a fair bit out of hours as it were, and while there's always a funny transition when I pick him up, involving him half being pleased to see me and half being sad to go, I actually relish that in some respects because it means he's happy being there and has had fun.

Yes some childminder are wonderful. Others surprise you! For one day a week though, I wouldn't worry.

Gosh, thanks everyone.

Tattoedgrrl - yes I think there is a strong element of jealousy there. I'm still really struggling with the WOHM role.

Kewcumber - I know you're right about the driving thing. I have a huge hang up about anything to do with cars after I had a motorway accident a few years back. I hate driving and being driven and I trust absolutely no one, not even DH sometimes.

Mellowma - do you mind me asking whereabouts in Scotland you are? I'm near Inverness and I'm thinking £4.50 an hour is too much.

Bookswapper - losing the childcare is certainly a concern. This childminder already had to give up for a year due to family circumstances and she's just starting up again. I'm a bit worried it may not last if things change.

I think my main problem is that DS used to be in an absolutely fantastic nursery in England. The nursery we used up here wasn't that great so I wasn't too sad for him to leave (he never really settled anyway). I don't know which of these is the norm. I suppose what was so fantastic about the first nursery was it's small size and the head nursery nurse. If she'd been a childminder I'd be singing the praises of childminders.

I'm going to look into one of the local nurseries but to make that work DS would have to go in for the full day, meaning DH would have to work an extra half day to break even. Not sure...

Twinklemegan

£4.50 IS on the high side IMO....however does she provide nappies, food, etc? Or perhaps there is little competition and that is what the market will bear?

I asked my brother in Edinburgh and he pays £4.25 an hour, and my sister in law provides food and nappies, wipes etc. That childminder only has 2 part-time children to look after.

I chose a CM over nursury as I thought the nursury ( which I liked generally) wasn't the right place for boy at that time. AT CM he had a play mate exactly the same age plus a bigger boy to worship. at nursury he would have been the bigest and most active kid in the baby room for 3 months before becoming the youngest in the toddler room.
Personally I had no qualms about him being in CMs car. I know how shes does it,all out of the car parked across the park from school to drop off/ collect.
next winter if I need childcare I will look at both options again and decide based on whats right for him then.