Choosing the right Childcare
As a qualified nursery nurse and childminder I now realise the difference in the two types of care children receive. How do you choose the childcare right for you and your child? Below is the adaptation of how the different childcare worked for these mothers.

Morag wrote,

I went back to work when DD was five months old. I went back part time and we sent her to a childminder. At the time we lived in London and I thought a childminder was the best option. I had a friend who had a bad time with a nursery close to were we lived and in any case I couldnt find a nursery that would only take her in the morning and at a reasonable rate.


As it turned out, we found the most fantastic childminder in the world. She was a mum of five girls and she was still a childminder. The ages ranged from 19-6. They all lived in a house that was to say the least a mess! It reminded me of our house when we were growing up. I had four brothers. Anyway there was something about this woman and we just knew dd would be safe with her. She only charged us £50 a week, that was for four hours a day. basically she was undercutting herself as her hourly rate was £5, but she only charged us £2.50 as dd was only there for half a day!


When dd was just over 2 we decided to move to Aberdeenshire. We trolled through nursery bumf and it was mind blowing. However, I knew she needed to go to a nursery as I was going to work full time and in any case it would be good for her. And wow is it good for her - yes. We went to see a few nurseries, but decided on the one she is at now. She has been there for just over a year and she loves it - she even wants to go at the weekend. She gets dancing lessons once a week organised by the nursery. They take them out on lots of trips, she has been to the theatre 4 times in the past year! They have a french teacher who comes in once a week and they all put on a nativity play at christmas which was great. They even went to the local folks home to perform! OK we pay £500 a month for this, but we think its worth it. We think that dd benefited greatly from going first to a childminder and now to a nursery.



Emma wrote

I am returning to work shortly - 3 days a week and have registered my 15 month old daughter at a local nursery. I did look at all the option nanny, au pair etc but as I won't be having another child until Isabelle starts school (can't afford two lots of fees)

I wanted her to have some little play mates her own age. Although this option works out very expensive for me I feel confident in her carers abilities and the fact she will be looked after in a structured environment which is safe.