child care v nurseries

[bongerman]

hi all.

my wife's due march next year and we're just looking into childcare provision (in SE London where we live).

What are people's view on child care v nurseries?

Thanks.

[lizwizz]

Its a very personal thing and not something anyone else can really say one is better than the other. The most important thing is where you will be happiest leaving your child and where you think they will be happiest. At nurseries they are exposed to more children and maybe in some cases they will have more stimulation, but there are very good childminders who will take children out to playgroups and do other activities at home. Nurseries tend to have more of a routine, but if your child has specific needs, they may not be so good at seeing to them as they have so many other children to think about. Best thing to do is go round to see a few nurseries, visit a few childminders in their own homes and see what you feel most comfortable with.

[Le Chat]

I sent my child to a nursery and found three problems. 1) It absolutley stank of odour-masking air freshener 2) The staff were all young and miserable 3) He was constantly ill with problems like conjunctivitis and fevers.
This is the top nursery in our area and it made me sick to the stomach to have to send him. So I quit work and stayed home. We are really struggling but he starts school in January, so the problem will be alleviated.
On a similar note, another lady I know sends her son (same age as mine) to the same nursery full time and thinks it's wonderful!! I don't know how we can see the same thing and yet have two different perspectives.

[FlowerPetal]

Hi, talking from the experience of working within nurseries for 16 yrs - i am biased hehehe
I have worked in a few SE London nurseries - some good, some bad and some downright ugly! It all depends on what you want for your child. Do you want more routine and a more broader social aspect? or do you want a more family environment?
Unless you can answer the question wholeheartedly, then you need to rethink.
Look around nurseries with a list of questions you want answered - but one piece of advice, have the answers ready in your head so that you know what you want.
Ask at the local 'Child Information Point' for a list of nurseries and childminders.
if you do decide to go down the nursery route, decide when you want to send your child..will it be whenbaby is 3 months/18 months/2yrs/3yrs etc as this will dictate which nursery you opt for. Also, when you decide on the nursery, get your name down quick on the waiting list as you may find they dont have a space for you

good luck and if you need anymore advice, contact me via this page.

XXXX

[Nickienickie]

Hi I sent my first daughter to nursery when she was 1 and I now believe that she was too young. I think most children by the time they are 18 months - 2 years benefit a lot from being with other children in a nursery environment but before then I think that you are taking a chance with the quality of care you get. A lot of nurseries employ young girls who would not be your first choice if you were employing them in your home and don't give them enough one on one attention which young children need. I now employ a nanny at home to look after my 3 and 1 year old and I think it's far more satisfactory.