activities for 18 month old at nursery - are they varied enough at my dd's nursery?

[lilysma]

Generally my DD seems really happy at nursery and the staff seem very caring, and I think these two things are the most important thing about her care. They aren't terribly good at communicating with parents though and I've had to push a bit to get much information about her daily activities. They do now write a few activities in her book every day.

I've got a review coming up in a week or so and have been wondering whether the activities are varied enough for her age group (18 months). They include outdoor play (sandpit, cars, lots of outdoor toys), painting, singing, home toys, reading books, a sensory room (glow in the dark stuff and aquariam mainly), building blocks etc. I hear other people talking about their kids doing 'messy play' (what exactly is this?) and water play at nursery and wonder whether she's missing out because she doesn't do these. Would you expect this sort of activity to be standard at a nursery for this age group?

[LEMONADEGIRL]

Hi Lilysma,

My ds is 18 mths also and at nursery.

I get a daily diary outlining his actvities which include;

outdoor play as you have discribed. Craft which involves paiting and making things i.e easter baskets/ a bottle shaker filled with bits and glitter and painted on outside. They do 'messy play' also this involves big trays of gloop and putting hands and feet in it. PLaying with cooked pasta. They play with crazy foam and sometimes water & ice.

The age range of his room is 0-2 years and am pleased with the activites on offer.

I would mention about the lack of craft/ messy play to be honest, it could be that they do it but only give limited verbal info.

[juneybean]

Even little babies can benefit from messy play/water play so it's definately something an 18 month old should be experiencing :/

[dylanthecat]

If they were doing messy play you would know about it! They get striped for water play though

Lemonade girl your 18 month old plays with ice? I wouldnt be happy with that in my nursery that only happens with older children because its a chocking hazard

[LEMONADEGIRL]

Dylan - its a huge block in an old baby bath with carers with them - its quite safe imo. To be honest dont really really get why they do that. If it were small ice cubes I would deff be concerned.

[Scarfmaker]

Lilysma - I think your nursery sounds great - they seem to be fulfilling everything an 18 month old is physically capable of.

Sand play could be classed as messy play - there's plenty of time for her to be doing more messy things as she gets older and more able.

[wrinklytum]

The nursery sounds lovelt IMO.

Like the idea of sensory room!!

In ds/dd nursery they do "messy" play which involves stripping them off down to nappy and letting them loose in cooked pasta or jelly!!Very brave IMO-glad I don't have to clear it up!!They also have a garden and do lots of gardening/planting as well as running around outside,and occasional trips out,visit by fire service etc etc. (Well dd doesn't run as she is sn but that is an aside)The nursery sound to be doing a wide range of activities,and most important you are saying the carers seem pleasant and your dd is happy.I am sure in the long run she will not miss out for not having wallowed in cold pasta or jelly at 18 monthsLoads of time to do this in future.

[dylanthecat]

lemonade that good you had me worried when we do ice play its ice cubes! thats why its the older ones

[lilysma]

Thanks everyone. Obviously I agree that the most important thing is that they are caring and she is happy. I'll probably just ask them about it in as non-pushy/demanding a way as I can and see what they say.