child minder/nanny or nursery???

[foxie201]

we currently live abroad and the customary thing to do here is have a maid who cleans and helps with DD.

We are now moving back to the UK where I will be working PT.

do you have any views on what is best for our DD, going to nursery, having a nanny, going to a child minder? And until what age??

thanks

What can you afford?

The age thing is easy, at the age of 5 or there abouts the schools take over.

hi, DD is 19months

childminders tend to be much more flexible about hours, pre-school pick ups etc, so might be easier for going PT

If your working hours & commute will fit with a CM (usually 8 to 6) I would do that. It's nice for children to be with other kids and the home environment is nice.

Depends where you will live though, I am in London and not many CM near here have that much space or a proper garden which is important to us as our DS likes to run around a lot (although they will take the kids out to the park etc.) So we use a nursery.

Am rather jealous of my brother and SIL oop north who use a fabulous CM for their nephew who lives down their street!

clearly I meant my nephew, their son!

nanny or childminder imo. can keep the same care going even when they start school...

actually nowwearefour some nurseries can also offer continuity of care, our DC can stay at theirs for before & after school and holiday clubs until they leave primary school if we want to do this

It depends what you want from your childcare, what you plan to do on your days off with your DD and what your views on nursery care, socialising with other children, structured activities etc are.

Some people, for example, think a nanny is a great idea and then work out they want their DC socialising with other children and doing more educational activities which a nanny typically won't do.

wow duplo- i hadnt heard of a nursery that does school drop offs/ pick ups. what a brilliant idea!

I know! They have a limtied radius though so I think our school choice will be heavily influenced by where they will pick up from!

I've used CM, nanny & nursery for my DC from age 1 and I'd say 1st choice fantastic nanny who takes them to loads of social activities & interacts with other children but cloise second would be a local CM who can continue once they get to pre-school/school age. My 3rd choice would be nursery. Not because they are no good as some as obviously fantastic but I prefer a home setting for a younger child but mainly because you are likely to have to change childcare arrangements when they start school and having changed 3 times in 3 years it is a hassle & upset I'd gladly do without.
LCN