Creche vs childminder

lazygal

Looking for thoughts on this. I know it can come down to what suits the child and family, but would like to hear people's experiences of both. I've viewed a creche which is a very small offshoot of a large chain. I've heard mixed reports about the chain itself but the creche I saw is quite nice, lots of positive aspects and a couple of things I'm not keen on. There's usually a few women advertising as child minders in my area, which would be another option. I've not to decide till next year but would love any and all views on both options.

Cheers!

silja

How old is the child?
Personally, for under 12 months I would prefer a childminder with the personal attention, and less other kids to catch bugs from. For toddlers, I think creche is better with socialisation with other kids.

StillWaters

There are advantages and disadvantages to both.
The reasons I chose a Childminder:

• One on one attention whilst child was a baby
• Interaction with minder's older children, which is a more 'natural' setting than a creche, i.e. it replicates a natural family, rather than having a large cohort of same age children in one room.
• My child got to do stuff like baking, walking down town, visiting minder's mother, shopping, all real life experiences that children learn a great deal from
• Continuity of care, my child has been with the same minder for 10 years, and so feels really comfortable in minder's home, and has had no disruption to her care.
• Flexibility, I work some evenings and weekends and my minder has been very accommodating.
• A childminder is generally about 25% cheaper than a creche.

lazygal

I've priced around child minders and the rate is working out the same as with the creche I viewed. I actually wouldn't be that keen on my child being brought to other people's houses, shops etc when I'm paying for them to be minded in a house and would be worried about my child being with people I don't know, like the minder's mother etc. That would be a negative for me I'm afraid! I can see how some people would like it but it wouldn't be a plus for me.

I know the 'homeliness' of a minder is what a lot of people like. I'm just a bit worried about the regulatory aspect of it. I know there are registered child minders but are they inspected like creches would be to ensure ratios, health and safety are adhered too? I would also be a little concerned about having much older children around my child if the minder takes mixed ages or has children of her own.

Moonbeam

I put my 9 month old in a creche because -
It was near work.
Creches are regulated.
Lots of other kids.
Loads of activities and proper meals.

I gave up my office job and became a childminder recently.
I have a 1 and 3 year old and he is 2 all January birthdays.

They have great fun together and it is a home from home. I am registered and insured but there is no compulsory regulation for childminders in Ireland.

If you are lookin at childminder,check tha they are registered and insured and ask them for anyhting that you want to.
I would also only pick a childminder with other kids.

Lola92

lazygal wrote: »

I've priced around child minders and the rate is working out the same as with the creche I viewed. I actually wouldn't be that keen on my child being brought to other people's houses, shops etc when I'm paying for them to be minded in a house and would be worried about my child being with people I don't know, like the minder's mother etc. That would be a negative for me I'm afraid! I can see how some people would like it but it wouldn't be a plus for me.

I know the 'homeliness' of a minder is what a lot of people like. I'm just a bit worried about the regulatory aspect of it. I know there are registered child minders but are they inspected like creches would be to ensure ratios, health and safety are adhered too? I would also be a little concerned about having much older children around my child if the minder takes mixed ages or has children of her own.

Lazygal that is the beauty of a childminder. You get to choose exactly who looks after your child. You can specify what is acceptable to you behaviour and dicipline wise, provide your own meals, choose one in a location you like etc. I know that minders with 3 or less children in their own home have no obligation to register with the HSE for inspection but IMO a good minder will be registered, insured, qualified in first aid and baby and toddler proofed house (goes without saying really). You should ask what the day to day routine is like, will they be leaving the house, any car journeys required for school drops and collections etc.

Many creches have a high staff turnover so the chance of your child getting to develop any kind of secure attachment with a key worker in the setting is diminished. Often if this does develop the child will be moving on to another room for wobblers/toddlers/preschool obviously according to age so it can be disruptive to them also. You don't really have a say in what staff member is assigned to your child so this is one thing that would bother me.

My daughter is minded by a childminder in my family home. I am very lucky in that she is someone that I have known for many years, in fact she looked after me as a child. I know her husband, all of her family, most of her friends etc. so I am not concerned about the people that she comes in to contact with as I trust her judgement and she would have very similar values to my partner and I. I am aware though that this is not the set up that many people have unless their child is minded by a family member so I can understand your concerns.

I am studying Early Childhood Care and Education at the moment so this is an area that I have a lot of interest in. For me personally, I don't think I would be comfortable with having my daughter in a larger group setting, such as a creche, until she is a good verbal communicator (From her development at this stage I am guessing 2 or 2 and a half). I like knowing that she is in a homely environment, gets very close attention from her minder, she gets to go out and about for walks, to the playground, to cafes etc. plenty of social interaction.

Creches seem to be a good option for many families. I have heard many reports of children who are very happy in those type of settings and parents that are very happy with the care that they recieve. I would definitely only go for a creche that has an open door policy, parents free to call and check up any time of day etc. But I think that your own instinct when visiting settings and meeting the staff there and seeing children and babies in the environment will give you a good idea of what to expect.

Edit: Sorry for the essay!

carolinespring

Lazygal,

PM sent.

lonestargirl

I don't think there is necessarily a 'best' option, it all depends on the childminder in question and the creche in question. I am the eldest of 3, we always had a childminder, mostly in our own house. They came to my wedding and I visit them with my own child. We had one we didn't get on with - she lasted less than a month because we were able to tell our parents that we weren't happy.

I put my son in a creche. We had just moved back from abroad, I'm not from where we live and none of my friends have children. I would not have been comfortable leaving a 5 month old with someone unless I had a personal recommendation - he can't tell me that he's not happy. I am 100% happy with my cheche, there are 5 smallies and 2 minders in the baby room and then 8 kids in the wobbler room. They all mix first thing in the morning and in the evening so he gets a chance to know the wider group of kids and the girls from the other room. I only work up the road and I have dropped in unannounced if I'm going past. I do think looking at the staff turnover is a good thing, if people are always leaving then I think it reflects overall bad running of the place. Ask the other parents too, all 4 babies in with my son have older siblings who have already been through the creche - I think that says a lot about what there experience of it has been.