DS's friends are gone, what should I do?

[Chandra]

I went to the nursery today and found out that all DS friends have been passed to the older children's room, DS was a late walker and has stayed behind so he is now in a very empty room where most babies should be around 8-9m, DS is almost 16m.

I think he must be feeling sad because he and his friends, who are the same age as he is, have been together for almost a year.
It worries me that he may not be getting as much stimulation if he is surrounded by babies that are at least 7m younger than him, because he can not play with them in the way he used to play with his older friends.

Will it be sensible to ask the nursery to send him to the older children room? or would it be better to leave him with the younger ones for a while?

[Chandra]

Anyone?

[spacemonkey]

I would have a chat with the nursery staff about it chandra - tell them your concerns, I'm sure they will want to help in any way they can.

[Marina]

Chandra, I would not hurry him into a room where he will need to be more mobile than he is ready to be. Even if he is bigger than the babies in his current room, the carers and the surroundings are going to be familiar and boost his confidence in getting about. I do honestly think at his age he is going to be more attached to his carers than individual other children.
I take your point about the stimulation from other small mobile children - dd has recently been "abandoned" by several babies her age who have been quicker to walk. But in her room, crawlers and cruisers do get plenty of attention from staff who are keen to get her on the move...
He'll be back with his little peers in no time, I'm sure, but personally I'd leave it.

[Chandra]

Thabks, youanswers are very reasuring but would it be the same if I tell you there is not a single other child able to crawl or cruise in the room? DS is walking now, an even runs a little but is not as confident as his other friends.

[Marina]

Hmm, it's a bit of a dilemma then chandra. From what you say, I would have a word with the nursery staff then. He may well be about to move up and they've forgotten to tell you...

[sponge]

Unfortunately this is often down to the number of places they have in each age group. In my dd's nursery I felt she was moved up a bit early into the pre-school class and I'm sure it was just because they had a space there, could move her up form toddlers, move a baby up and therefore take in a new baby (highest fees).
On the other hand some of her friends were left behind for a bit too long because there wasn't a space until a couple of older ones left for school.
It sounds like he's been left behind with a much younger group and would benefit from moving up asap - even if he is a little behind the others the gap is not as big as between him and the babies. I would talk to them, and continue to pester them until he gets moved.