Childminder/Nursery

Hello, Wondering if anyone has any advice.. My son is soon to turn 3. He went to childminder once a week since he was 1.5yo and since September he started going to nursery two mornings per week as well. He wasn’t too happy at the childminder, but in September she had a turnover of children and he made friends with 3 kids. He mentions them very often. The childminder also moved to a new place in October, which means I have to take the car to reach her (not a big drive, but still) but he likes the new setting quite a lot. Now, back in September, when he still wasn’t so happy at the childminder, we saw that at nursery he enjoyed himself much more so we decided that in January he’d go there every morning and we reserved his spot. That also comes in handy as I’m pregnant with my second and the nursery is only 3mins walk away. However, now that he keeps mentioning his friends at the childminder I feel like an awful mum. We haven’t yet told the childminder but we’re really torn. Some people say it’s better to have just one setting as they get used to it better and they build a habit, but I feel like I’m taking him away from his friends and that breaks me a little, also because he never sees them anywhere else. What do you advise? Will he be better off just at nursery or should we try to keep one day per week at the childminder? I think overall nursery is better, I’m just torn because he made friends. Sorry for the long post 🙏🏼

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I'd say you're doing the right thing taking him out of the childminder and going to nursery. He's happy there and one location is easier also as you say quick walk especially with a 2nd baby. Without sounding harsh he will make new friends and he will be ok, kids are so adaptable!

Mine was a childminders for over a year and then we moved her to nursery because we got a place for her and her baby twin sisters at one place. I felt the same like omg she's made friends and relationships and everything! Like imI cried in her last say there and everything. But, she loves nursery and has made a ton of friends there herself as well now. She doesn't mention the kids from the childminder we actually bumped into one of the older kids once over summer ans I'm not sure she even remembered her 🤣

@Mou thats so reassuring! He mentions these 3 children almost every day, and they’re all his age, that’s why I guess they got so close to one another. But it’s also true she had different children last year - who knows who will stay? I have to get over my own emotions 🙈

What will you do for childcare for your second? Logistical having both kids a 3 min walk away is ideal. Your toddler will get over it - just see his friends at weekends

@Ermene yeah I told myself the same like imagine I kept her there become a. Couple kids and then their parents moved, or they started school already...

@Francesca for my second, I want to take the second back to childminder. I shouldn’t need too much childcare and I prefer smaller settings in that case. But I’m not sure yet. I may also choose a different nursery as I work shifts and ideally I’d rather have a 6 months old going to nursery only when needed, rather than on set days, regardless of whether it’s needed or not. So everything is still pretty much confused in my mind😅

We live in London there is no way we could be so flakey 😂 we have put our name down for a place in 2026 full time for an unborn child. It’s so competitive!! Can’t really help you there! I would need a plan, set days and to stick to it I would

@Francesca here it’s not that competitive, and anyway I could push through without childcare like I did with my first :) that’s why I’m so relaxed :) and due to anxiety I wouldn’t be able to reserve anything till baby is here.. but we’re considering me changing job, my husband may also change job so our needs may change so it’s rather pointless to make a decision now :) I’m honestly just worried about my son :)

@Ermene ah I see yes London is stressful and it totally doesn’t sit well making plans for a baby before they are here safe and well :-(

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