Is nursery worth it for 1 year old?

My little one is at nursery two days a week and he was one in Jan. He absolutely loves it! He’s come on so much since starting and I love that he can make some little friends and socialise with babies his age. Can’t recommend it enough x

My kids have both really enjoyed nursery and they started from 15 months. We didn't have the choice of family looking after them though so it was slightly different. I will say I think they transition easier when they're younger but obviously be prepared for them to be sick for most of the first year whenever you start them. If you can afford it I'd recommend getting them the chickenpox jab before they go! You can get it done at Boots.

Not a nursery but my little boy is with my in-laws 2 days a week and a childminder 2 days a week mainly for social aspect. We use the gov funding for the childminder and only pay £20 extra a month for it. He’s been going since he turned one and it’s helped his confidence massively - he loves it! Xx

My daughter does nursery once a week, and she has come on in leaps and bounds! She started at 13 months, and now just loves it. They teach them so much (just through play) and it’s good to interact with other kids. Only downside is the constant illness. It’s pretty relentless, my daughter has had at least 8 colds, slap cheek, chicken pox and various other things.

Definitely helped my daughter going to nursery. She went 2 times a week for the morning to start witb x

My little boy joined nursery just after 1st birthday when my elder daughter started. They only go 2 mornings a week as I work weekends so I don’t actually require the childcare. I don’t have a lot of mum friends with children the same age so I was worried about my daughters socialisation so that’s why I decided to send them. They have absolutely flourished since they joined and they are such sociable kids now.
So pros are definitely socialisation, learning to respect authority figures, routine, different setting and new skills.
If you can afford it I’d go for it. There aren’t many downsides other than financial and of course catching every bug going round all the time 🤣

It’s super interesting how different the UK is from the US. Most people in the US would tell you to do everything in your power to never send your kid to daycare. I think it’s great if your nurseries are actually well funded, safe places for your children and isn’t too expensive? I feel like most of the time here you’re paying an arm and a leg to send your kid to daycare that you don’t even really like, where they are understaffed and overworked.

If you can afford it then yes I think it would be good

I honestly think it’s been a massive positive for my son who started at 12 months and is now 19 months. He’s developed so much and learnt so much since going there, it’s also helped him socially and he adores playing with the other kids and loves the staff too. I’m a big advocate for sending little ones for those reasons but others may have had different experiences. Just be mindful of the constant illnesses that tends to come hand in hand with them being there for a while 😂 but if you have your mum as a backup if little one is ill then that’s great. You may also be able to get the funded hours if your working so if little one was in nursery for a couple days a week you’d get 11 hours of it funded (assuming you stretch the 15 hours funding across the whole year).

appreciate your perspective. Part of me is thinking what’s the point for similar reasons you stated whereas the other is thinking it would be good for her development!

Thank you all for your opinions! Helpful to hear the pros and cons, will give it a little more thought I think 😊

We sent our little boy to nursery when he turned 1 and it is absolutely worth it in my opinion!! We’re seeing the difference now he’s just turned 3 and is very sociable, his language skills are brilliant, his counting is great and he’s honestly come on leaps and bounds! Would totally recommend doing it even though it did break my heart to begin with because they seem so tiny at 1yrs old 😂❤️ xx

My girl started at 1yo for 2 days a week and she loves it now (19 months).
They do loads of messy play which means I don’t have to do it at home haha, and she’s got wee friends which is very cute.

Mine has thrived in nursery! My partner's mum was supposed to have him one day a week but she just ended up taking him round shops so I'm glad he has the days in nursery as he actually does developmental stuff and enjoys it so much!

My little boy has gone to nursery since 1 3 days a week and he loves it he's nearly 4 and csnt wait to go in a morning. My 1 year old started just before her first birthday and she loves it too x

My little one started nursery at 6 months old & at the time I felt bad about it but honestly it’s been the best thing for her. She’s 4 now, super social & always been developmentally ahead for her age & I think it’s definitely down to the nursery & her spending time with kids of all ages which she wouldn’t have done had she been looked after by family. X

I think it's good, but personally I think they benefit more from about the age of 2.

Idk. I think if I say my mind it'll be unpopular. So I'll say good luck and hopefully the bub loves it.

may as well say it as you’ve mentioned it now lol…

I waited until my little boy was 2 & had my mom look after him instead. They built a great relationship together and I don’t regret my decision. Since he began nursery after 2 yes every week he has something from the nursery illness wise. It is relentless to be honest