Childcare question. Which do you prefer for your little one, childminder or nursery?

Question

I have 4 children, 3 of whom all went to day nursery until school age and then a childminder for before and after school. All 3 are very sociable and had no problem starting primary school. My youngest, who has just turned 1 goes to a childminder. I started her off at nursery but didn't like the way that particular nursery was looking after her so as an emergency measure, I found a childminder.

I am now thinking of moving her to a nursery now she is a little older. There is nothing wrong with the care the childminder gives her apart from she doesn't seem to do much with her. When I ask what she has been doing its usually going to the bank or shopping. She goes twice a week to a toddler group but that's it. She only looks after one other child who is a little older than my daughter.

What would you do? Would you keep her at the childminders or would you look for a nursery?

Answer 1

Nursery, better aspects for her xx

Answer 2

I have worked as a childminder , in a day nursery, creche and now I run a pre-school.

For a young child I would choose  a childminder every time . As your child  grows and begins to need to socailise if your childminder is a good one then she should attend playgroups etc for along with the children in her care to ensure socialization.

Once your child reaches about two & half I would put them in to part-time pre-school to prepare them for Nursery.

I have worked with children for 15 yrs and this is my honest opinion.

Answer 3

Hi, it all depends on your child as an individual. I am a nursery nurse and as part of our planning we try to ensure the babies are taken into the town etc as many are in full days and miss out on the usual day to day experiences. If we take them into the town we take them for a snack and to the toy shop etc.

In my opinion nursery would provide your little one with better social skills and experiences especially if the child minder only has  other child.

As your other 3 children went to nursery you will know that they are provided with a huge variety of experiences to allow them to reach their full potential.

Hope this helps x*x

Answer 4

First I would look for a nursery, and if I couldn't find one that suited my child, I'd look at a different childminder.

Answer 5

Find a nursery that you like and send her there. In the mean time i ma sure the childminder will be providing sufficiently wel for her need as you chose her because you liked her and babies need stablility. You are quite right in thinking though that her developmental need will be changing and she will benefit from a nursery, take your time and wait until you find one you are happy for her to attend. Best of luck

Answer 6

I would go look for a nursery, you are quite right about having quit the first one if you have any doubts about the quality of care with either nursery or a childminder and you live in a reasonable sized town then you are lucky in that you can sort of 'shop around' till you find one that suits or ask around what other parents in your area think of a particular nursery or childminder . that's what i would do, in my case i live in a very small village and the facilities are extremely limited (only 2 hours two days a week at play group if I'm lucky that is, places have to be booked in advance and that's not always possible) your child is old enough for the nursery and will have so much fun playing with the other kids and there should be lots of activities going on. Good Luck!

Answer 7

If you want your child to learn stuff, socialise and be prepared for school then nursery is essential.