Nursery or Childminder?

[roxie78]

Just curious, those that have used both a childminder and a private nursery, which did you prefer and why did you change? Also, which do you think was/is better for your child?

We have gone down the private nursery route for a few years now but wondering whether a childminder may be the better option for my son to give him more attention as he is a bit delayed with his speech and understanding. There are approx 25 children in his nursery class., maybe slightly less on some days. He does love nursery though!

 

[BethK]

My LO goes to both, both for 1.5 days each.

Although this week we've just upped nursery by another half day as LO LOVES it!

I prefer the nursery too, but then the nursery i use is a small village one with about 8 per class. Can you find a smaller nursery maybe?

Nursery would probably help more with the transition to school what with the classroom setting at preschool

 

[beccah11]

I work in a nursery and find that children that come to us from a childminders are more behind in speech, development and understanding as they havent been taught the basic skills like they would through a different learvingv environment (eg. nursery, pre-school).
If I was in your position I would personally put my child into nursery, for example, nursery for 3 days, childminders for 2 so that they can be taught and learn through the 'teachers' and increase there social skills solely through play at the childminders.


xx

 

[Vixen_17]

The other thing I liked about nursery is that you're not held to ransom when they want a holiday or someone goes off sick. If the childminder books holiday so do you.

My son went to both, nursery from 1-5 then childminder from 5-7. It worked for us and I wouldn't hesitate to put my daughter into nursery as I think it's good for their social skills and learning, moreso than a childminder.

 

[pigginteacher]

I chose a childminder, mainly due to the fact that she doesn't charge me for hols which is great as I'm a teacher. Plus I want my LO to feel like she would if she was at home with me so I wanted someone mumsy, if that makes sense. As for a delay in speech, I think this depends on your childminder. My eldest had a childminder and her speech is great and was never an issue so I have no concerns over my LO. My childminder is great and does lots of actvities with my LO so I dont feel she is missing out plus I feel she gets more attention than she would in a nursery setting. I think you have to decide on whats best for u and ur child because eveyone is different. I'm not concerned about my LO being 'educated' she's only 15 months, my priority is that she is cared for and feels secure, the rest will come when she goes to school, just my opinion.

 

[pigginteacher]

I forgot to add that my childminder looks after other children plus attends toddler groups, so she's not missing out the socialisation front.

 

[jodidi]

I chose a childminder as I wanted my lo to have a personal bond with one person. She would have been fine with nursery but she is really thriving with the childminder. I really wanted to stay at home with her but that wasn't possible so a childminder is like her home from home. Like pigginteacher I don't want anyone to educate her, she's so little I want her to feel secure in her environment. The nurseries round here all have a baby room, then move into the toddler room at 1, then move to the "big room" when they are 2. My lo would have found changing room and staff that often extremely difficult as she takes a LONG time to bond with anyone (she doesn't cry or anything, she just doesn't talk to anyone she doesn't know very well) With the childminder she doesn't have to get used to change as she's with the same person from 6 months to 4 years when she goes to school, and will probably stay with the same childminder before and after school too. I like the continuity of care.

I also don't think she is missing out on any socialisation, she has 4 friends that she sees on different days at the childminders and they go out to toddlers 2 mornings and have another childminder friend that they see regularly with the children she minds. She also socialises with children of different ages which she wouldn't get at nursery as all babies of the same age are put in a room together.

 

[Lu28]

I chose a childminder as I wanted my lo to have a personal bond with one person. She would have been fine with nursery but she is really thriving with the childminder. I really wanted to stay at home with her but that wasn't possible so a childminder is like her home from home. Like pigginteacher I don't want anyone to educate her, she's so little I want her to feel secure in her environment. The nurseries round here all have a baby room, then move into the toddler room at 1, then move to the "big room" when they are 2. My lo would have found changing room and staff that often extremely difficult as she takes a LONG time to bond with anyone (she doesn't cry or anything, she just doesn't talk to anyone she doesn't know very well) With the childminder she doesn't have to get used to change as she's with the same person from 6 months to 4 years when she goes to school, and will probably stay with the same childminder before and after school too. I like the continuity of care.

I also don't think she is missing out on any socialisation, she has 4 friends that she sees on different days at the childminders and they go out to toddlers 2 mornings and have another childminder friend that they see regularly with the children she minds. She also socialises with children of different ages which she wouldn't get at nursery as all babies of the same age are put in a room together.

These are nearly exactly my reasons too! I don't see any need for children to be "educated" at this age, the most important thing for me is for her to feel secure and happy, I'm not expecting or wanting her to be advanced in anything at this age, just happy. There's plenty of time for education once she goes to school.

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

We chose a childminder for Ruby as I went back to work when she was 11.5 months olds. It was totally the right decision, all the same reasons as jodidi says.

However, 18 months down the line the CM refused to be flexible with us over a particular issue so we were left looking for another childcare provider. At age 2.5 I was happy for that to be a nursery and it is much more stimulating and challenging for her. However I wouldn't have placed her in a nursery a moment before! It's far more tiring, no proper beds for them to nap, and just a generally noisier and more hectic environment.

In contrast to what beccah11 commented in this thread, Ruby came from a childminder to a nursery and the nursery were extremely complimentary about her speech and development, and expected her to be working on learning things she'd actually mastered months ago - and in any case I do not see it as a childcare provider's job to 'teach the basic skills'. That's the parents job.

 

[chelle7]

I chose a childminder, mainly due to the fact that she doesn't charge me for hols which is great as I'm a teacher. Plus I want my LO to feel like she would if she was at home with me so I wanted someone mumsy, if that makes sense. As for a delay in speech, I think this depends on your childminder. My eldest had a childminder and her speech is great and was never an issue so I have no concerns over my LO. My childminder is great and does lots of actvities with my LO so I dont feel she is missing out plus I feel she gets more attention than she would in a nursery setting. I think you have to decide on whats best for u and ur child because eveyone is different. I'm not concerned about my LO being 'educated' she's only 15 months, my priority is that she is cared for and feels secure, the rest will come when she goes to school, just my opinion.

I completely agree with this as I am a teacher too and use a childminder. She is great and goes to toddler groups etc with lo. I did look at nurseries before as had thought that was the route I wanted to go down. It wasn't for me though so I think it comes down to personal preference

 

[Lara+sam+bump]

I am a childminder and although probably bias I would never use a nursery fulltime as in 8-6 I just think for young children it is to much like being institutionlised. Our children start school young enough without them going aged 1 or 2 years. I look after sisters aged nearly 2 and 3 years. The 2 year old is with me fulltime and she is so settled and so happy, there is only 9 months between her and my son and they get on great. She runs to me when her mum drops her off and is reluctant to leave when she is picked up. The 3.5 year old is at pre-school 3/4 of the time and with me the rest and I think she is more settled in pre-school, although that could just be cause she spends alot more time there than here and if she was here fulltime she would probably be better. I like a nursery follow the eyfs and am inspected by ofstead, so in theory the education value will be no better or worse, but I think in a nursery its more structered, I try to build learning into our daily activities. I would never use a nursery tbh, I think being stuck in one room 90% of the time isnt natural, we go out to toddler group, soft play, park, libary etc, everyday as well as walking the dog, and lots of outdoor play in all weathers, mine love peppa pig puddle jumping lol. Sorry for the essay. xxx

 

[babz1986]

I've worked in a variety of nurseries and am a NVQ childcare assessor now, so see my fair share of others and without a doubt when Ellie was born it was a childminder all the way.

I completely disagree with the comment about children been behind in speech and understanding development. If anything I've found Ellie has come on more than I'd suspect her to at a nursery. She gets the social interaction from the other children that attend, and goes to groups at the children centre everyday she attends. Towards the end of the day, Ellie also gets 1-2hrs of one-to-one time as she's the only child left. This is perfect for her, especially for her age as she really does need it.

I know at a nursery, as Ellie is 'easy' going and never makes a fuss, she'd be left to her own devises and prob wouldn't get the attention that she gets with her childminder now.

Also I love the first hand experiences that Ellie gets day to day! The childminder once asked me if she minded taking Ellie to the dentist with her (she only had Ellie that time) and if I did, she'd rearrange. I told her thats the exact reason I choose a childminder. At nurseries they have to 'simulate' going to the nursery, or only learn about it through books, etc - While with my childminder she gets the first hand experience. Fair enough she'll come with me when I'm older, but I wanted her to be in as much as a homely environment as possible where she did everyday things like we would do if I was at home.

Ellie's also the same as another poster, she doesn't take well to other people. She doesn't cry or become upset, just quiet and amongst a group of 12-24 children this wouldn't suit her. It took her a good 2 months to finally come out of her shell with the childminder and intend on it been like this until she goes to school, I wouldn't want her to keep changing room and staff.

Another thing Ellie isn't your average child for her age. She would never suit a baby room and would much prefer a toddler room, so wouldn't see it fair on her been stuck in a room until her designated age to be moved up to the older room. Where as at the childminders she plays with what she wants and has activities planned purely on her interests and abilities, not the 'group abilties and interests'

You need to remember that all childminders need to be qualified (or training) to Level 3 in childcare and follow all of the regulations and curriculum's. They must plan and observe children exactly the same way as nursery's do so far as the learning and development, nothing should change - it all depends whether you want your child in a large group with a number of staff or a smaller group with 1 staff member who's always the same.

My childminder got outstanding in her ofsted report last month. If one person can do this alone whilst looking after the children, then you have to question why some nursery's with 10+ staff can only manage to get satisfactory?

 

[roxie78]

Thanks for all the replies, it really is good to see what other parents think. We are very lucky in the fact that the nursery we use is the best one in the area and got 'outstanding' by ofsted this year.

I do not consider it the childminders/nursery staffs 'job' to teach my child to learn the core skills but obviously as he is behind with a few areas I'm looking for the best place to help support me and him in learning and if possible get him so he is ready so that when he starts school he isnt going to struggle etc.

I think for now we will keep him in nursery but will perhaps research the childminders in the local area to see what they offer.

 

[isil]

I generally prefer a nursery setting for my son...the holidays and payments thing with CM drive me a bit nuts and it can be awkward. Having said that, I do like the mix my LO has now. He goes to a CM 8-4 on Monday (I'm at work) and preschool 9-3 thursday and 12-3 friday. I work sat, sun and mon so it works for us. Our childminder is also accredited, so LO can get some of his 15 hrs there.

When LO was younger I preferred a childminder environment, especially when he was there full time.

 

[wellyboot]

I use both - my older child mainly goes to the nursery, whilst my younger one mainly goes to a childminder. I have an absolutely wonderful childminder who is like another mum to my children (and to me!), and when I've had to return to work, I've wanted my children to be in a homely environment with the one adult that they can really bond with. Also, I love the fact that with my childminder they get out and about all the time, and do the everyday things like going to feed the ducks, wave at trains and get books from the library that I would be doing if I were able to afford to be a SAHM.

I put my daughter into a nursery when I finished my maternity leave from the younger one. She was nearly 3, and my decision was mainly because Ofsted wouldn't allow my childminder to have an extra child, and also I needed to make use of the nursery education grant. I think the nursery has really brought her learning on, but I don't like the fact that the staff change constantly and she doesn't have the loving relationships that she had at the childminder. She still goes to my childminder one day a week though, and she far prefers those days. I'm about to put my younger one into nursery a day a week after Christmas, just to give him an experience of a more learning-orientated environment and also so that he spends an extra day a week with his sister.

I completely disagree with the comment about children who go to childminder being behind in their development. My daughter is quite advanced and her language is brilliant, whereas my son has developmental delays, particularly in his speech. However, they both started off with the same childminder, so I'm sure it's about the individual child, not the childcare they receive.

Good luck with making a decision, hope it all works out for you.

Welly xx