Childminder vs nurseries - pros and cons parents views.

[SamMT 10]

I am sorry that you feel childminders are viewed this way. I would almost always choose a good childminder over a nursery, especially for a baby or young toddler. All the research implies for their psychological health it is better for a young child to have a consistent attachment figure. I understand why some people choose nurseries, but I am surprised there are people out there that look down on childminding as an option. I wish the information was clearer for mums as its such a hard decision. One thing that frustrates me is that nurseries draw parents in by stressing the educational aspects, which is a little crazy for such young children who need consistency and love and the opportunity to learn through play. They will be being assessed and educated to death for at least ten years so there is plenty of time for that, and they are great natural learners in the early years as long as they get the support at home.

 

Oliver James cites some interesting research in his book Affluenza. There are also some practical advantages in that a CM may be able to pick your child up from school and bring them home for tea if you work standard hours, and may be able to collect and take them to a pre-school of your choice which feeds to a primary school of your choice, a lot of which dont take younger babies so it would mean moving them at some point. CM's are also cheaper in my area than nurseries.

 

The main risk of course with childminding is making sure you get a good one. There are some fabulous childminders and one or two blinking awful ones! Also, anyone with more than one child in childcare may find a nanny more cost effective and there are many many advantages to a nanny over and above either option!

Edited April 6, 2009 by SamMT

[Zebra 10]

Just wanted to make a timely reminder: When recruiting for childcare, see the post (sticky) by Titian. Make sure any carer you choose is appropriately CRB checked etc.

 

And to further emphasise that, ensure they have the relevant qualifications and registrations, some people have been known to advertise themselves as childminders who have looked after a child or children or have their own. Much as I place enormous value on experience, it isn't enough to work as a lawful childminder.

All lawful childminders and nurseries are registered with Ofsted (apart from a few lawful exceptions with Social Services and home care), they won't all give out their registration number (until you take a place) as some people use that to extricate extra monies for childcare they are not using. However they will be able to provide evidence of appropriate skill, registrations and possibly experience and references and you should ask for them.

 

My opinion on the two is difficult. I've worked in nurseries I didn't like at all and would hate for my kids to end up in a place like that. I like the large socialisation of nursery but dislike the finer points of care due to ratios. It's difficult to give every child enough one to one attention in a large group but very easy in a small group.

So, in my work and the upbringing of my own children, Jellytots becomes part of the grand scheme of socialisation but there are plenty of opportunities outside of Jellys for lots of one to one attention.

Edited April 6, 2009 by Zebra

[Flutterbyes 10]

I third the checking people out that zebra and bonny have said.

 

Childminders will have Enhanced CRB disclosures along with every person in their household who are over 16. Ask to see them along with their registration certficate and qualification certificates. I have mine either proudly displayed on the walls of my hall or in my portfolio or continuous professional development log

 

[cosywolf 10]

One thing that frustrates me is that nurseries draw parents in by stressing the educational aspects, which is a little crazy for such young children who need consistency and love and the opportunity to learn through play. They will be being assessed and educated to death for at least ten years so there is plenty of time for that, and they are great natural learners in the early years as long as they get the support at home.

 

 

 

Honestly, I was hoping that people were going to be able to state their preferences without feeling the need to belittle or overgeneralise about the other perfectly good options. I'm sorry that isn't the case.

 

I am happy to report that my child has certainly not been assessed to death in any way, and that while learning through play is certainly a big part of his nursery education, I would expect it would be so for C Ms as well.

[Zebra 10]

 

I am happy to report that my child has certainly not been assessed to death in any way, and that while learning through play is certainly a big part of his nursery education, I would expect it would be so for C Ms as well.

 

Indeed, in fact with the EYFS roll out there is a likelihood that any child will receive similar basic education and some assessment though in a much less formal setting.

[shinyhappy68 10]

I have very positive experience in both settings. My youngest DD who is now 11, was in nursery from 2yrs, I worked at our local Childrens Centre at the time, so it worked perfectly for me. She was happy, the staff were fantastic and I felt a little less guilt, knowing she was "on site" with me.

 

However when DD no: 2 came along, who is due to start school in Sept, I felt totally different about leaving her at exactly the same nursery. I have no idea why, but I couldnt help feeling it was not right for her, luckily for me a fantastic, highly recommended childminder had a vacancy. I can honestly say I never looked back, I felt totally comfortable leaving DD no: 2, even though she was only 9mths. Now 4yrs later, I love the fact my DD is so close to her and am dreading separating them in Sept. I have to say this was my main worry when I had DD no:1, I didnt want her having a bond with anyone but me. (selfish I know) I now know this bond is aswell as mum, not instead of mum and love the fact they love her.

 

So, to round it up, its not always a decision about is it a Childminder or Nursery, sometimes it depends on the child too! XX

[Dhimmi 10]

We had originally planned on a nursery, but all were full so our child went to a minder who we checked out very thoroughly first. We were very happy to find that all the referees were genuine and all heaped praise on her. We were very satisfied, and are still keep touch more than then years later. Our child made many good friends in her care, was very happy all the time, and was very well looked after. The minder's family were very nice too, which helps.

 

Looking back, we wouldn't have had it any other way!

[kirstyp86 10]

My Mum was a childminder for 30 years (shes now a maternity nanny), so obviously I prefer childminders. All the kids my Mum looked after were always happy kids. Some of them came from 3months old, till they started secondary school, so they were like extended family to us.

Both of my sister's kids go to a nursery, and because they dont get the one-on-one care there, they seem so miserable. More often than not, they cry when they are left, and they have been attacked on numerous occasions by other children. With childminders there is better care. And the kids aren't stuck in the same environment all day. My Mum would take them to Graves Park, Butterfly House and even to the Seaside in summer!!

 

I am lucky that I don't have to work, but when the time comes, I will definetly choose a childminder over a nursery.

[cosywolf 10]

My Mum was a childminder for 30 years (shes now a maternity nanny), so obviously I prefer childminders. All the kids my Mum looked after were always happy kids. Some of them came from 3months old, till they started secondary school, so they were like extended family to us.

Both of my sister's kids go to a nursery, and because they dont get the one-on-one care there, they seem so miserable. More often than not, they cry when they are left, and they have been attacked on numerous occasions by other children. With childminders there is better care. And the kids aren't stuck in the same environment all day. My Mum would take them to Graves Park, Butterfly House and even to the Seaside in summer!!

 

I am lucky that I don't have to work, but when the time comes, I will definetly choose a childminder over a nursery.

 

 

I wonder why your sister is willing to allow her children to go to a nursery where they are attacked and so unhappy. It isn't the norm, and she seriously needs to think about complaining and removing her children to one of the many fantastic nurseries in Sheffield.

 

People, can you please stop with the insulting and actually quite nasty 'my decision is best, if you choose differently your children will suffer' and try and keep it on the side of reality and fairness?

[Bonny 10]

People, can you please stop with the insulting and actually quite nasty 'my decision is best, if you choose differently your children will suffer' and try and keep it on the side of reality and fairness?

 

I'm assuming some posts have been removed? I can understand why some people might feel a bit defensive - we all think we're doing the best for our kids and sometimes I think we need to convince ourselves to try and diminish any guilt.

 

Anyhow, my first daughter went to a private day nursery (a long time ago) and it was brilliant. She absolutely loved it and cried when we came to pick her up (a bit embarassing)! It was a shame to have to take her out to start school. Littlebonny goes to a childminder and that's working really well too. He has quite a different personality from DD1 and I can't imagine him settling easily into the nursery environment - though I could be wrong. Either way, we're more than happy with the arrangement we've got now and hopefully it'll stay this way for at least another year or so.

 

I don't think one is better than the other, it depends on the child, the parents and what your needs are. You have to make a decision that you and your child are happy with, within the constraints of what is available to you and how much you can afford.

[cosywolf 10]

Both of my sister's kids go to a nursery, and because they dont get the one-on-one care there, they seem so miserable. More often than not, they cry when they are left, and they have been attacked on numerous occasions by other children. With childminders there is better care.

 

I would almost always choose a good childminder over a nursery, especially for a baby or young toddler. All the research implies for their psychological health it is better for a young child to have a consistent attachment figure.

 

One thing that frustrates me is that nurseries draw parents in by stressing the educational aspects, which is a little crazy for such young children who need consistency and love and the opportunity to learn through play.

 

Nurseries felt a bit impersonal and institutionalised

 

My post may be misunderstood. I didn't mean that people had posted insulting or nasty things as such...that rather, I feel it is insulting (and at worst nasty) to put down other people's perfectly legitimate choices in childcare because they disagree with yours.

 

I feel the same about sahms and working mums ripping the stuffing out of each other. Why the need to be so defensive about your choices? Because, unfortunately we as parents are made to feel all kind of guilt about how we bring up our children these days ----

 

SO why, why, why do we then turn around and start poking at each other as well instead of supporting each other?

[anniec 10]

I just want to add that when dd1 had to go to childcare she was 3yo and we choose nursery for her. Her personality suited the structure and the routine and she came on amazingly fast when she started. I think nursery has equally as many good points and bad to cm. Depending on the individual child the pendulum swings one way or the other is favour of either.

 

I agree with cosy in that I can never understand why mum's find parenting such a competition?! Surely as we know how hard it can be and the trials of being a parent we should be more supportive of other mums?