Childminders are carers of choice, say mothers

Mothers of babies looked after by childminders are happier about
the care provided than those using other types of child care,
suggest interim results from a new study.

When their children were three months old, mothers were asked what
their ideal child care arrangements would be if money were no
object. About half of the mothers wanted to care for their babies,
while grandparents were top of the list of alternative
carers.

Four per cent cited childminders as the ideal, while fathers were
the least favoured option with 1 per cent. But when questioned
again at 10 months, childminding was both the most used and the
preferred option.