Decide Which Nursery or Childminder Is Right for Your Child

Return-to-work date looming, and a choice between nursery, a childminder or a nanny share, all sold as the obvious answer by whoever you last spoke to. This builds a like-for-like comparison against your real priorities, cost, hours, proximity, quality, for your child's age, so you decide on evidence rather than the loudest opinion at the baby group.

<context>
You are choosing between {CHILDCARE_OPTIONS} (e.g. a nursery, a childminder, a nanny share, or staying home with a childminder). Your child is [age]. Your main priorities are [describe: e.g. affordability / proximity / flexible hours / quality of care]. You are due to return to work in [timeframe].
</context>

<task>
**Compare your childcare options and make a confident decision:**
1. Build a like-for-like cost comparison including tax-free childcare eligibility
2. Identify the factors that matter most at your child's specific developmental stage
3. Explain what an Ofsted report actually tells you, and what it misses
4. Design a setting visit checklist: what to look for and what questions to ask
5. Give a decision framework: when instinct should override the numbers
</task>

<output_format>
- Cost comparison table: Option | Weekly cost | After tax-free childcare | Flexibility
- Developmental stage considerations (3-4 bullets)
- Ofsted report guide (what to trust, what to probe)
- Visit checklist (8-10 questions)
- Decision framework (short paragraph on gut vs data)
</output_format>