Starting nursery at 18 months old

[hunkermunker]

Thinking of putting DS into nursery two days a week when he's 18mo (the nursery I think I want him to go to doesn't take them before then). Won't be for a couple of months though.

Any tips for settling him in? Any tips for what to ask when I visit the nursery?

[hunkermunker]

.

[bobbybob]

Ds went at 20 months and didn't require any settling in at all apart from 3 short visits the week before. He's always happy to go in, has never cried. He initially did 2 afternoons and now does a day and an afternoon.

[anchovies]

asked this recently for ds and got some really good advice here

Have found him a nursery now and he's starting mondays and wednesdays in september. His first week he is going for 2 hours with me on the monday, the morning on his own on the tuesday and a full day on the wednesday. Suppose we will just have to see how it goes!

[anchovies]

sorry wrong thread!

here!

[hunkermunker]

Thanks, Bobbybob - that's very reassuring!

Great threads, Anchovies - thanks - in fact, the link to the first one has made me rethink leaving him there on Mondays because of paying for Bank Holidays we don't necessarily use... May still, as I don't get Bank Holidays on the days they fall, they're added to my leave total.

Have read the Ofsted reports for all the nurseries in the area and there's only really one that I'd be comfortable leaving DS at. Should I go and view any of the others, even though their Ofsteds talked about unchengeable things like not enough outside space, and one actually said it provided "unsatisfactory care for childre" Not seen any of them yet, though.

[anchovies]

I only looked at the satisfactory or better ones, looked at a few just for comparison purposes even though I was already pretty sure I had already chosen! The nursery he's going to doesn't charge for bank holidays so it's definitely worth checking!

[hunkermunker]

Yes, think I'll have a look at several - would be sensible, for comparison pruposes as you say. Just am really hoping that the one that's good is the one I like!

Has your DS started nursery now?

[anchovies]

No he starts in September, it doesn't open until then. Has the one you're looking at got places already?

[hunkermunker]

Not sure about places already, but DS isn't 18mo till the beginning of October, so can't start him there until then anyway. When I spoke to them on the phone last week, they said they had lots of children leaving to go to school in September, so getting a place for October shouldn't be a problem - and I can put a deposit down to guarantee that too.

They also do pick-up and drop-off from the two school nurseries (either of which I would like him to go to) for when he's three.

[anchovies]

The pick up drop off thing sounds really handy! Good you can guarantee a place as well! All you've got to do now is like the nursery and you'll be sorted! Good luck!

[hunkermunker]

Am just hoping DS doesn't scream at the sight of the place! And obviously worried in case my little angel picks up bad habits from the big bad children who are lurking there, ready to teach him biting and things Overactive imagination? Me? Nah!

[anchovies]

Thanks for that I hadn't even added that to my list of worries, going to be having nightmares until september about pulling hair and swearing now

[hunkermunker]

Sorry! I'm sure the nursery you're sending DS to is full of little angels and all he'll learn is how to give even bigger cuddles

If not, at least we know we have similar age children starting nursery around the same time, so we can work out what to do!

[anchovies]

I'm hoping they're all beautifully behaved! If not I'll be giving you all the horror stories come september

[hunkermunker]

OMG! Should've thought of that! You'll give me sleepless nights worrying about DS starting in October! Eek!

[bobbybob]

Ds has picked up more bad habits from the staff than anyone else - just little things that probably would seem normal to other kiwis. Like saying he "brought" something from his shop (argh) and saying "less" instead of "fewer". I know, I know I am a fussy mother. They are very good at please and thank you and if I say thank you to him he says "you're welcome".