Nanny versus nursery - what are your thoughts???

[2nd time mummy]

Can you help me decide?

Have a 9 months old baby boy and going through the dilemma of choosing what is the best childcare option?

What has been your experience?

Thanks

[Piaf]

I have a 4 yr old and 7 mth old. With my eldest I did a nanny share from ten mths until two when she went to nursery. I am doing the same with the baby. I think it is up to your individual feeling as I think no childcare solution (including parental!) is perfect but if you choose the right nanny/ childminder/ nursery the kids seem to adapt well to whichever you choose do long as they are getting lots of attention and affection.

For me personally, I felt that a nanny in a home setting was best before two as they don't really need to 'socialise' before then rather they need some consistent input from one or two carers. The bonus of a nanny share was that it made it more affordable (similar to nursery) was more flexible and my daughter benefitted from having the other baby around... They went on to nursery together and are now best friends/ 'married'! We became v good friends with the other parents too. I am hoping my nanny share for no 2 will be the same

Jude

[shaunag]

Mine is in nursery since she was 1. Agree with above-there is no perfect solution. Also agree one to one before they are two is better. My daughter was also constantly ill from when she started nursery (but was rarely ill before)-this put me under enormous pressure with the time I needed to take off from work to care for her. On the other hand, mine learnt to eat from copying peers at nursery- she was a disaster before that so definitely a plus. Also, I'm not a trusting person so was more comfortable with a group of people watching my daughter as I thought this would reduce the risk of anyone being mean to her (I had had a bad experience with a babysitter I overheard treating my daughter in a mean way over the baby monitor in the next room). So, not much help but my best advice is do your homework, see the nurserys and interview nannies and childminders and go with your gut-you have to be comfortable with your choice. Good luck. X

[Strawbs]

My son has been in a nursery since he was 1 and has thrived. I really do think it is down to the individual child though and you need to do what is right for their personality. My son is very active and much to my horror I felt he was quite bored with me by the end of my mat leave so with all the activities they do during the day he was in heaven when he went to nursery. I would say you need to find the right childcare whichever option you go for, I was lucky that I found a great nursery that really do love my son to pieces and have been excellent with dealing with his tantrums / food allergies etc. He had a fabulous keyworker for 12-20m who gave him lots of cuddles etc and really doted on him, he now has a different keyworker who is just as excellent but a male and they do loads of running around and activities together so different butn equally great. The power of peers I also thing is very strong like shaunag said so eating / going to the loo / development can be assisted by the power of peers. The first part when putting a child in to nursery can be difficult to juggle as they do pick up all types of bugs and we dont have any help in terms of family so it can be a juggle but he now at 2 is very rarely off nursery.

Good luck in what you decide. x

[2nd time mummy]

Hey Many Thanks guys! This has really helped to make my mind up on hat is the way forward!

Thanks again!

[esme]

Try ED nanny agency site and googling generally and you will also get some good tips and handy list of pros and cons. I used a childminder and that was ideal home from home but had I had more budget nanny would have been tempting. Am now going through similar dilemma with baby due in spring, prob going for live in nanny but daunting trying to decide as well as budgeting!!

[stefaniemueller86]

It depends on different factors. I think the best solution for the child?s needs are nannys, but they can be very pricey. Nurseries are the cheapest options. But if you can?t afford a nanny, but still want something better for a small child then a childminder would be the best. That?s what I think for small children up to the age of 3. After the age of 3 I would always suggest a nursery.

[greenwater]

I did nanny share until just under 2. Will do same for second. They don't get as ill as they do in nursery so less stressful for you re taking time off. Also far more flexible on hours and being eg 10 mins late. I also like the idea of them being in a home environment when tiny. Personal choice though - I have friends who went down the nursery rout and are very happy. Try simplychildcare.com. We for d our nanny on there and far cheaper than agencies. Good luck!