gillh

Continuing the thread in previous posts, childcare is a very personal decision. My son started at Dulwich Asquith Nursery when he was 14 months old - it seemed to be the perfect time for him to be there, he walked in his first week and loved being with children his own age. The management had just changed and the nursery was refurbished while he was there. He left there at 4+ a very sociable and polite little boy. My baby daughter also started there when she was nine months old. Her childcare was a harder decision because I thought she was too young to be looked after by anybody, but I had to go back to work. I looked at a couple of childminders alongside Asquith. But I just couldn't see my nine month old in a childminder setting, particularly because most of them seemed to be set up for much older children. So for her, now 2 years old, I have a combination of nanny (one day/week) and Asquith (three days/week). She gets the perfect combination of out-and-about trips with the nanny and the stimulation and socialisation that nursery offers. My advice when looking for childcare is to go with what 'feels' right to you. And find a setting where the staff have the same values as you.