Ali - its a hard decision huh !!!

I send mine (both) to child care centres. My sister sends her three to a FDC. She likes it because its a small environment, they love the carer and know her well, she is close to the house - and well, she's cheaper than child care.

My problems with FDC? Well, her carer doesn't work on Tuesdays - so whenever my sister works on a Tuesday - mum has to go down to Brisbane and look after the kids. Whereas my child care can take them whenever I want them to (well the one with vacancies, the other one is full and I can only get one day a week for DS - he goes to Montessori the other two days).

Another problem I have with FDC? The one carer. What happens if she has a heart attack/stroke - whatever - who looks after the kids? Who will call the ambulance? What happens to the kids if the ambulance is called and the carer is taken away? Who looks after the kids until you get there? Do you trust a stranger??

My biggest gripe would be the above. And the fact that yes, the carer may seem like a nice person, but you aren't there during the day to watch them and make sure they aren't doing controlled crying (if you don't want them to) or smacking your children, feeding them crap food, not abusing during nappy changes... etc... etc..

Ok, so I sorta sound like a untrusting freak who is over protective - but seriously - I would rather put my kids in an environment where there are several people watching over them, and looking out for the other carers to make sure they are doing the right thing. Plus I don't have to worry about them chucking a sickie and not being able to take the kids!!!!!

DD is still a little young for having feelings for her carers - but DS loves his carers - and he has the same ones every day that he goes there.

So thats my