I'm thinking about using a child minder - what are the benefits and drawbacks of this form of childcare?

With more and more mothers choosing to go back to work, childcare has become a hot topic in recent years.

There are many options available to parents, ranging from nurseries to nannies. But perhaps the most popular of all is the child minder.

There are several key advantages of using a child minder over the alterative childcare options. However, there are also perhaps just as many disadvantages, as we shall now see...

Benefits
The main benefits of using a child minder are price and convenience. Not only are they considerably less expensive than a creche or nursery but you should be able to find one very close to your home.

Child minders will usually be experienced mothers themselves and they do have to register with Social Services, so you will be leaving your child in fairly capable hands.

Drawbacks
Perhaps the main problem with child minders is that they very rarely have any childcare training. Yes, they’ll probably be a mother themselves but there's a big difference between caring for your own children and someone else’s. The result of this that although there will be many excellent child minders in your area, there will also be many who are not so good.

Another problem is that your child will probably be surrounded by many other children, at an age where she is particularly vulnerable to infection and disease. If one of the other kids becomes unwell there’s a good chance your little one will do too.

And finally, many young children will never be truly comfortable with a child minder. Not only is it a strange environment for your son or daughter but sometimes they won’t gel with the child minder herself.

So what should I do?
Deciding whether to use a child minder has to be your own personal choice. It’s a question of whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. For some women they will. For some women they won’t.

However, if you do decide that a child minder is the right childcare solution for you, remember you must do your homework. Visit the child minder, ask lots of questions and contact several of the referees she gives you.

Another great way to find a good child minder is through recommendations from friends or support groups. But never just take their word for it. Always check things for yourself. Remember it’s the safety of your child you’re dealing with.

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