Childminder v nursery

[Vixster250]

Hi

I am returning back to work in December and have initially been registering at different nursery places in dulwich. I got talking to a friend yesterday and she highly recommended childminding over nursery for when children are younger. My son will be 1 year old when I return to work.

Does anyone have any insight in how to investigate this further? Or can anyone recommend a childminder in the area?

V

[Beagle]

I think it comes down to a personal choice, pros and cons on both sides. We chose a childminder as our baby was barely 10 months old when I went back to work and we wanted continuity of care, in a home environment. It really works for us, but when the childminder goes on holiday so do we. With a nursery that element is removed.

For me, the only way to make the decision is to visit the nurseries and/or childminders and see how you feel about the place/the person.

We found our childminder through childcare.co.uk, but the local council should have a list of childminders with vacancies too or recommendations from other people are great.

[Strawbs]

I always thought I'd use a nanny but then looking at costs etc realised that wasn't an option, we thought about a childminder but I'm uncomfortable with paying someone for their 4 week holiday plus ours (if we didn't coincide) plus maternity pay if she got pregnant so we went with what we think is the more flexible route of a nursery.. It comes ugh it's drawbacks though obv it closes at a certain time and I'm currently negotiating with my work to leave early enough to be able to actually pick him up.. My son is v v social and loves kids so I'm hoping he will thrive once at nursery rather than being miserable (I'm pretty sure I'm going to find it a lot harder than he will!) x

[Pickle]

You wouldn't have to pay a childminder maternity would you Strawbs? A nanny, yes, but I think childminders are self employed so will be covered for maternity that way?

[Beagle]

My experience of all the childminders I met with was quite individual in terms of paying for holidays. Some were 50% when they are on holiday + 50% when you are on holiday. Some 100% if we go on holiday and for bankholidays and nothing when she is away. Likewise some cover food, some don't. Some ask extra for days out, others don't. Reading some of the other threads on this subject there seems to be some variance in what is offered.

[Cora]

I would go for a childminder until at least 2 but do a lot of research to find the right one. Recommendations, OFSTED site, Southwark council site and Simply Childcare magazine are a start.

[mrsbee]

Vixster I had exactly the same predicament as you when I was looking for childcare for my first. Even though I had a place at a nursery for him I decided to use a childminder instead as I wanted to know exactly who was looking after my little one and I preferred him to be in a home environment with fewer children. There are disadvantages in that you are completely reliant on one person for childcare so if they are sick or on holiday then you have to take time off or find other childcare but I have been lucky in that my childminder has never been sick and lets me know her holiday dates at the beginning of the year so that I can plan appropriately. And if you find a childminder that you really get on with then it can work brilliantly - mine will change days, do extra days for me and cover school holidays (now he is at school)if she has the space. And she'll be looking after son number 3 once I go back in November.

Also this is just an observation of mine babies seem to get sick more often in the first few months at a nursery than those at a childminder - maybe more children and more germs for them to pick up.

I found her by asking round people at playgroups and other baby groups and she was recommended.

[Mathilda]

My daughter has been in nursery 3 days / week since 9 months, she's very sociable and gets a lot out of being around other kids, and enjoys the structured day I think. I like that her carer has colleagues, so if not feeling 100% there are others to take up the slack, and they can share ideas and (I hope!) definitely get breaks during the day. Also, not sure why but I like knowing that she is in one place all day rather than out and about. I think it all comes down to your own priorities and your child's personality.

[Vixster250]

Hi

Thanks for all the replies and pm's! CertaInly given me food for thought.

V x