Childminder vs nursery for baby at 11ish months

[ladyruskin]

I am expecting a baby in July. I am also terribly organised and, having read about 1 year + waiting lists for local nurseries, I am starting to think about childcare on my return to work (my other half does think I'm a little premature on this point, but I feel it pays to plan ahead).

What is better for a baby of just under one in terms of childcare? A childminder with relatively few charges, in a home environment, or a nursery with sufficient staff to cover illness or other absences? Also, how easy is it to find a childminder? Would I have to start looking now?

Your advice is, as always, very welcome.

[Ruth_Baldock]

I would say a childminder, hands down. I'd start looking for a childminder 2-3 months before you actually need them, and ask on the forum etc. Southwark has a register of all...er..registered childminder's in the local area.

[SarahLP]

You are not being premature for nurseries, but you are for childminders! I've had the decision made for me by leaving it far too late, so going with a childminder. I started looking for one three months before return to work (I also already had my name down at a nursery, but they won't have a place in time), but of course they all wanted to fill their vacancies asap, so you either have to pay for the place while not using it, or wait until the last minute to look which is a bit hair-raising. Luckily I managed to find one I liked who was already looking after a child who turns one just when I want my baby (who will be nearly 9 months) to start, so working out OK. (Childminders can only have 1 child under one at a time.)

Personally I think nurseries are maybe a little bit hectic for tiny ones (though could just be trying to convince myself!). However, I do think it helps children develop if they spend time with other children. Quite a few of the childminders seem to get together and work 2 childminders together, often with an assistant as well, so they may have, say 6-8 kids between them which I think is quite a nice compromise. Also, generally a good childminder is cheaper than a good nursery. However, childminders can get sick and then you are stuck. Again, I'm lucky on this point as my husband is self-employed so flexible enough to step in at the last minute if need be. Legally childminders are entitled to 4 paid weeks of holiday a year - ie you carry on paying them, but they are not looking after your child. Obviously they have to give you decent notice of when they will be away.

I would advise looking around nurseries asap and putting your name down at a couple you like. Then nearer the time, say 2-3 months before you are going back, you can still look at some childminders and see if you like them better - you haven't lost anything. To find childminders, phone the family information service of your local borough - Southwark if you are in SE22 - and ask them to send you the list of childminders with vacancies. If you are on the border of two boroughs get the list for both to widen your options. Eg I am in Nunhead, so I phoned both Southwark and Lewisham. You can also register on Childcare.co.uk and look up profiles of childminders, nannies and babysitters, but to actually contact them you have to pay a registration fee which is ?20 for 3 months, or ?40 for 12. Both nurseries and childminders vary enormously, so worth looking at quite a few.

You say you are organized, so have probably thought of this, but I would take a checklist of questions, and try to ask the same questions at each place for ease of comparison. Also, try not to get too hung up on ofsted grades, especially for childminders. Most important thing is that they meet YOUR criteria and you feel as ok as you can about leaving your precious child with them.

Good luck!

[poppy]

You will probably have a much better idea of what will suit your little one nearer the time. Of course, you can't wait that long, so maybe put your name down on some nursery lists anyway to keep your options open but beyond that I would wait and see.

When I was pregnant I hated the idea of nursery and thought I would prefer a nanny at that age, but now that I have a one year old (and having just gone back to work) I am so glad I put his name down for nursery because he absolutely loves it. I am ashamed to say I used to suspect maybe mothers who said that were just convincing themselves but my little lad is such a sociable little thing that I decided against the nanny we had in mind as I think he really gets a lot out of being with other children. Plus he has a really structured and busy day doing all sorts of things I can't do (or don't do) with him at home, such as using their soft play room and water play. Anyway to cut a long story short, just wanted to add a positive note about nurseries for that age but mainly wanted to say, as with all things baby-related, it really depends on your own individual little person!

[Fuschia]

Once child is born you and your DP can start sacrificing your salary for childcare vouchers to use when your child is placed. Minde rmuch better for a small baby, IMO

[Smiler]

We went with nursery part-time from 1- 2 1/2, and was never happy with the decision. I just don't personally think that one year olds get much benefit from nursery or need to socialise with that many kids. Some of the staff were great (though some weren't), but many nurseries pay badly and have really high turnover, and it all just felt impersonal and the little ones looked lost and stressed. Just a personal view.

[crystal7]

We've been lucky enough to have 2 fantastic childminders. I went back to work when my little one was 11 months and I wanted her to be in a small, home from home environment with 1 adult to attached herself to. Both the childminders we've had have provided fun, stimulating days involving water play, baking, crafts, messy play at home and groups at verious children's centres on a daily basis. In my experience most childminders have at least 2 children at home all day and more after school so there are lots of children to interact with.

The only downside is when CM is ill (which in fairness hasn't happened with either of ours touch wood) or goes on holiday or has another commitment.

I found my childminder a few months before I needed her through the EDF.

Good luck1

[Kes]

Before I had my daughter I was planning to put her with a child minder at that age because I thought she'd be too young to be in a nursery, but when it came to it we looked around and found a small nursery we liked. She loves it, and has been there 8 months now, all the older kids were very sweet with her when she started and now she cuddles the new babies if they are upset. She only goes 2 days a week though and we really didn't like the bigger nurseries we looked at so I think I may have gone with a childminder if it was full time. As others have said it's very hard to know in advance how you'll feel, probably good to get your name in a few nurseries so you don't miss that boat if you do decide to go that way.

K

[minder]

Hi SarahLP - just to say that most childminders can look after two babies under 1 year old if they apply for a variation. We have to write to Ofsted and explain the circumstances - could be twins or just two families with similar age babies. I've been given permission twice in the past.

Also, being self-employed, childminders are allowed to sort out their own annual leave. Most do take 4 weeks per year but some can take up to 6-7 weeks and this is all explained in the contract. Also not all childminders charge full fee for their own holidays.

[Bumpkin]

The other thing to consider if you can afford it is a nanny share as this may not cost much more than the expensive nurseries for little ones and there are loads of people that are up for sharing in East Dulwich. Your baby can then sleep in it's own bed for naps (or at sharer's house), you are more in control of the food and it's great on the days they come to your house and you can just leave your tot in pyjamas to be fed breakfast with no stress of rushing a baby out of the house.

[poppy]

Definitely agree with Kes - the number of days you'll be working might influence how you feel about what type of childcare you go for. My son is only at nursery two days a week and I think I'd feel very differently if it was full time.

[helenat1970]

This is my very personal opinion - but little children - and 11 months is a little child - benefit from a bond from a personal care giver - therefore a childminder might be better. But - you are an organised lady - will you be happy to take random days off because childminder is herself sick, or her children? What if you choose someone and their personal circumstances change and you have to find someone else for your child? A childminder set up is less 'assured' than a nursery.

Can you afford a nanny, or consider a nanny share?

The nanny will care for your child in your own home and that can have so many pluses. Another option for you to think about?

[Kes]

Just to add our nursery (and I think they all do it) have a key worker for each child and a staff-child ratio of 1-3 when they are that little. Our daughter and her key worker adored each other but sadly she has just left :o( her new key worker is an existing staff member though so at least she already knows her and will hopefully be just as happy given a bit of time.

I'm afraid I've had quite a few friends who've had multiple nannies quit or go to another job, I'd imagine a childminder would be the best bet if you want continuity with the same person but there are no garuntees anywhere.

I think it's also very hard to tell untill you know what your child will be like at 11 months. My daughter was/is very sociable but rather slow at learning to crawl walk etc. so I felt that being in a nursery with other kids her age would encourage her to get going!

K

[littleEDfamily]

I'm in a similar dilemma myself, as need to get some help with little one 1-2 days when she is around a year.

With my first, a really high quality nursery (small) would have been my first choice. As it happened, there were none in ED with availability that I liked. So we tried a variety of other solutions.

I'm trying to find a way to say this delicately..... I think a home environment (ie nanny or childminder) is probably better for baby, but you need to think about what suits your personality. I personally found having a nanny became something else to manage, and I was at the mercy of their moods, availability etc. Now, there are absolutely some fantastic nannies and childminders out there, but for me, I prefer the relationship you have with a nursery - I was more comfortable being clear about my requirements, speaking up when I was unhappy with something, and (I know this makes me sound like a nutter) but knowing that if they were having an 'off day' there were others to ensure that they didn't take it out on my child. I would say though, if you are planning on returning to work fulltime, a childminder/ nanny really probably is better. But I think 2-3 days in a nursery, provided it is a good one will do your child no harm at all (and actually 5 days probably won't either) and if your gut tells you that is what will work best for you, do whatever you can to get on the list of the best one you can find.

[ladyruskin]

Thanks for all your thoughts. As I suspected, it's not a decision that we can take now, and will be made when we know a bit more about our baby and what will suit it best. I think it might be worth our while seeing a few nurseries and getting on the waiting lists just to be on the safe side. It seems from your experiences that it's easier to find a childminder at shorter notice (months not years!), so not something we need to worry about right now.