Nursery, to go or not to go…

We sent my son a few times when 10 months old and it solidified my decision to not send him as I was unsure as it is. He got so sick from the first settling session and it was horrendous seeing him like that. We sent him back and he the got sick again which turned into a chest infection.

We took him out after that and won’t be sending him until much older to a pre school purely to get him used to the setting on a part time basis.

I was planning on sending my little girl at 9 months as I need to return to work then. I do also think it does them good. However she was born 8 days past the cut off to qualify for 30 free hours for the Easter term so I wouldn't have been able to afford the nursery fees. Luckily my family is now going to have her until September when we will get the free hours. She will then be 14 months. I would have preferred her to start earlier at 9 months but finances just don't allow unfortunately. X

I’ve just put my daughter in nursery, she’ll be 3 in a month. She’s only going one day a week, and I’ve only done it because I’ve started a new job that’s full time. If I had a choice though, I wouldn’t bother. She doesn’t like it and she gets plenty of time socialising in toddler groups anyway.

My son is absolutely thriving at nursery.

Yup, daycare is great. He started at 11 months and is 28months now. He learns so much, tells us all about his friends, gets to try a ton of new foods and activities.

Yes he got sick often but now it is less often and it means when he goes to school he will have some protection and not get sick often then.

We have to due to work and he really does love it (once we’ve left haha) - it’s helped with his independent sleep and eating massively. If I wasn’t working I’d still send him, just less; as much as I like to think I’m the kind of mum who has time to do tonnes of crafts and activities, I just don’t think I am, so it’s good for him to have that outlet x

Our little girl goes to nursery 4 mornings a week and has since she was 9 months when my maternity leave finished. I honestly think she’s thriving so much there as opposed to if I’d left work and stayed home with her. She’s an only child and all of my friends have much older children so I don’t have any friends with babies her age. I truly feel that being able to see and socialise with babies her own age has been so beneficial for her and given her so much confidence.

She does pick up lots of colds there, but I just think, every cold is helping her immune system develop, and hopefully will mean she’s a bit more resilient when she starts school.

My LG started at 15 months and I think it was too early if I didn’t have to go back to work I would have waited until at least two years

My first went to preschool 2 days a week when she turned 4 years old. My boy will probably go 2 days when he is 3.5 years old.

My eldest went 5 days a week from 9 months as we don’t have anyone else to have him and he absolutely thrived. My second will be doing the same x

Were sending my daughter at 2 only because the daycare situation where I live is awful we can't get in anywhere sooner. If I had my way and we had unlimited money I'd send her part time to montessori.

We started our boy when he was 9 months old. We had no choice as I was going back to work. I then lost my job so we considered taking him out but he was doing so well and it was so beneficial for him we decided to keep him in. He was going two days a week then.

There are other ways to socialise them so it doesn't have to be nursery for that. In an ideal world I probably wouldn't have started him until he was older but it worked out well for us in the end.

We placed our daughter in Pre school at 2 years old once a week mainly for socialising and she absolutely loves it, gives me chance to do housework or work on my small business while she’s there too.

Thank you all! Me and my partner both do shifts work, I’ll only be going back part time and I reckon we can make it work between us childcare wise (we’re just be sleepy but what’s new) 😅 I just didn’t know whether I was doing the right thing not sending her til later on/whether she’ll miss out etc! Xx

My little boy has been in nursery for almost a year now. He started when he was 10 months old & he absolutely loves it ❤️ I think it’s helped him with his words massively & he is a super social little boy. He goes in 2 days a week as his dad works full time & I work 4 days a week so he goes in nursery 2 days & then granny 2 days ❤️

Our LB has been going 2 days a week since 10 months and he absolutely loves it and is thriving

If working part-time I’d prefer to stay home with LO, they pick up so many habits from you so my LO loves joining in on cleaning and watching me cook! Some of my favourite moments have been just us in the house. And the days don’t need to be constantly filled with activities either, I’m more inclined towards the montessori method. Also I think it’s been so valuable seeing them grow and having such a big part in their early life. When they’re little they don’t play with others much even at playgroup so that can come later imo, it’s no rush.

Both my oldest went from age 2 and my third will do the same - they have/will all attend where I work, therefore I am extremely comfortable with it.
I am fortunate enough that my mum has had my children before turning 2

I sent my son to nursery 2 days a week from 12 months old as I had to go back to work. I absolutely hated sending him whilst he was still literally a baby. If I didn’t work, I would have sent him for just a couple of morning sessions from the age of 2. If you’re able to, I would not be sending your child until at least they are 2.

My daughter started when she was 2 & it was the best decision ever she’s come on so much since she started, her talking got better, she socialised and she loves it and it means I get one on one time with my youngest

I would say 2 2/half and only for a few hours for one day, I used to work in a nursery I personally some of the aren’t great but for socialising reason I’d say few hours a day won’t do any harm