Do you think?

[harryt]

Do you think it is good for small child to interact with other children as soon as possible?
I am due to go back to work in Feb after being on Mat leav, my son will be 7 months old, and i am not sure whether to put him with a childminder (one to one contact) or a nursery with other children?
I have read that one to one interaction with babies is good for them too! Oh what to do>?

[natalie_1982]

I can only speak from my experience - my daughter is almost 8months and she started nursery at six months and absolutely loves it. It is personal choice really, and I think most childminders will have other children to look after and usually take the child(ren) to local playgroups to encourage interaction anyway.

Nursery is right for me, I get a report at the end of each day telling me what she has done, eaten, slept, pooed and weed and when! She has little "friends" all her own age - her class goes frm 3months to 14months, and she has learnt so much in the 2months she has been there. She has a little friend called Tom who is three weeks older and they sit chatting to eachother; she is delighted to be there and it's a weight of my mind to know she has settled in. Also, although this changes from nursery to nursery, ours includes meals, milk and nappies.

Obviously this decision depends completey on your personal views, your child, your finances (nurseries are often more expensive), etc. We have been lucky because Emilia is a very sociable child, and interacts well, but I would think that a nervous or quieter baby might find nursery a bit too much.

Best of luck with whatever you choose though xx

[Lore]

I too speak from my own experience. Our daughter is two years old now, we started off with a child minder - on a temporary basis as we were on the waiting list for the bext nursery in the area. To begin with, everything seemed fine. Each day I would pick her up and all in all, she looked happy. At the age of 8 months we got offered two days at nursery so we decided to take those two days and keep her with the childminder for the other three. Then, as she got a bit older, I started to notice things such as - the type of food being supplied (low cost ready meals full of salt etc) and a divide between the level of care between the childminder's niece and my daughter.
Clothes were going missing, complaints of her crying during the day which woke her partner. There were too many little things that didn't sit right. - especially finding her strapped into a chair in front of a tv eating salt and vinegar chip sticks and a jam buttie!!!!

Needless to say, we decided enough was enough and got the extra days in the nursery.

Since then, we haven't looked back. She has come on leaps and bounds, she's so happy there and the staff are wonderful. Our little boy will be starting in February too. (when I return after mat leave) As the previous poster mentioned, we too get a daily report and have decided to keep her there until she reaches foundation 2 stage rather than move her to a school nursery......

[Lore]

............I have to say, through my work, I know a few really good child minders - who at the time didn't have a place and I also know a few colleagues who use childminders too and are very happy with them. So it's unfair to say that because of my experience then a nursery is the best option.
I do however, feel that whilst a childminder can provide one to one activities etc, on the whole they have more than one child per session so one adult to two or more children isn't going to give them much room for a one to one situation.
Also, there are a lot more guidelines, observations, ofsted etc etc in Nurseries. Not to mention the poor amount the staff are paid - which suggests they're in it for the love of working with children rather than the money.

Do as much research as possible before you decide which is best for you. Ask at your local school for a list of registered childminders and see if they can recommend one to you. Your local sure start will be able to provide you with a list of Ofsted registered childminders and nurseries in your area too.

[angiebaby57]

I would say a good nursery...lots of stimulation from his peers, will learn how to share and take turns, lots of activities, lots of fun and activity, lots of resources and equipment and a good routine. You can give him the 1:1 when you are with him - real quality time. Nursery children tend to be more confident in my opinion. Good luck with your decision.....research your nursery thoroughly and turn up without an appointment - any nursery worth their salt will be happy for you to do this and will welcome you in!