Nursery vs childminder vs nanny

I went with a childminder from 10 months to 3 years because I wanted him to have their full attention, not get missed in a big room full of children. Now he is 3 he goes to nursery so he can start learning and getting used to a bigger group ready for school, his childminder still picks him up from nursery for me

I personally prefer a nursery because of the lack of consistent cover in terms of sickness/holiday.

Also cos at nursery they are with children their own age whereas at a child minder they have children of different ages.

I've been to a lot of local groups with child minders and they seem to just let the kids run wild, I've personally had to tell them that a child with them has pooed and needed changing. Apparently another parent told them 40 mins earlier and they sighed cos they had to do a change.

I like that other staff are around at nursery too whereas you don't actually know who's in the child minders house when your child is present.

I feel more comfortable with nursery from a safeguarding perspective. My little boy also thrives in social environments so it’s actually been really good for him. I can understand that different children may thrive with more 1:1 attention though!

An experienced childminder with a good reputation is worth her weight in gold. Ours has become an invaluable support to our family (no extended family nearby) and another person in our little one’s ‘village’. She’s given us much appreciated guidance on how to managed tantrums, toileting and support his development generally. It’s beautiful to see the bond she still has with older children who have left her care, but still return for occasional visits and send birthday cards and gifts etc. The home setting and close attention is such a comfort, especially when we leave him for long (10hr) days. She’s also much more affordable than local nurseries as we do term time hours only, and pay a reduced rate retainer for the holidays. I work term time hours so that works perfectly for us. Couldn’t be happier.

Personally those nursery only because of the consistent approach to things like holidays / sickness etc , least with nursery they will sort it all out . Childminders can drop last min

I prefer nursery for the year round coverage and more staff if someone is sick. Childminders can leave you in the lurch.

A nanny was never an option for us due to the cost - defining a nanny here as paid one to one care in our own home. Even if it was, I much prefer that they get to socialise at nursery anyway.

I went for child minder as I personal felt 1 year old was too young for a nursery, it was more home from home and I plan on keeping him there until 3 and then sending to pre school x