Q: I am in the process of selecting childcare for my one-year-old son as I will soon be returning to work full time. I am very keen to split my son's time between a nursery and a childminder and was thinking of nursery three times a week, and a childminder for the last two days of the week. The problem is my friends tell me I'm mad and that it should be one or the other. But I think it means he gets the best of both worlds. Are they right? I feel like a bad parent and I haven't even left him yet.

A: The short answer is there is no right or wrong when it comes to selecting childcare, and it is a subject that can divide parents. The options available all bring their own pros and cons and it is a question of weighing up what is right for both your son and yourself.

If you are sure you want your son to experience the lively environment of a nursery as well as the more homely feel of a childminder, then there is no reason why you are wrong to choose this combination. While most parents select one provider, it is not at all uncommon for others to combine their childcare, so you are certainly not alone in this choice.

The key to making this work is to be sure you are completely happy with the two providers that you select. The next step is to settle your son in before you go back to work.

To do this, a good childcare provider will recommend a number of settling in visits, which normally take place over a week or sometimes two.

Try and keep these visits in line with the ultimate schedule – i.e. three days of nursery visits followed by two days of childminder visits. The aim is to give your son a thorough introduction to his new regime and ease him into it.

Some parents find that their children take to it like a duck to water; others find that plenty of patience is required and there may be quite a few tears. However, rest assured that the vast majority of children adapt to their new surroundings very well.

Finally, you are not a bad parent for wanting to provide your son with what you believe to the best childcare solution. Your arrangements are of no consequence to anybody else so try to ignore anyone who has an opinion, and concentrate on making sure your son is settled, secure and happy in his new routine.

Did you mix a nursery with a childminder? Are you pleased with your childcare arrangements?