Childminder or day nursery? Money shouldn't be the deciding factor any more

Inês Pinto quickly clears the breakfast things off the table and gives it a quick wipe. She has just taken her three-year-old to school. He'd been looking forward to starting at the Précoce all summer – but on the first day of school, saying goodbye to Mummy wasn't quite so easy after all.

However, Pinto can't just sit back and relax at home this morning. After the interview, for which we're visiting her in Rodange, there might still be a bit of time for some office work before she has to start preparing lunch for a total of eight people by 10.30 at the latest.

Being her own boss whilst being able to work with children: that's what convinced her to start working as a childminder twelve years ago. Her standards are professional. The play area for the little ones resembles a miniature nursery. Portraits of the children adorn the wall. The shelves are filled with craft materials and coloured pencils. In the children's bathroom, toothbrushes and towels in bright colours are lined up one behind the other.