When working I have found a creche one of the best options.
The creche has improved my daughters social skills no end. Given that shes an only child ( and will be for a long time given the current climate!!) it has helped her, she knows how to share, inteact, her speech is fantastic, counting, even reading and writing letters at this stage, she has such skills now and I am not worrying baout how she will fare in school in September. I look at a neighbours child the same age and hes with a childminder, and there is such a difference between them, you would think she is about 9 months older.....
ALso you know when a creche is open and closed, if a staff member is sick, another staff member covers rather than a childminder going sick and then you struggling to find alternative care.
Only problem is when your child is sick but I have heard stories of childminders who have sickness policies as strict as any creche.....
I suppose its all down to finding either a creche or minder that suits you.......