Is there a good age to start nursery?

[Pocket1]

I know everyone is different and circumstances dictate if and when you start nursery but is there an age when a child settles easiest?

We tried DD at 20 months and it was 3 weeks of sheer hell. My feeling was that she was old enough to know she was being left, but too young to understand we would come back. So we gave up nursery.

We are thinking of trying again when DD is 2.5 when I hope she will enjoy the new environment/toys etc AND understand we are coming back for her.

Is there ever a good age or stage when a child is a bit more ready?

TIA

[Pico2]

I'm sure that this is quite a controversial view and of no help to you, but I've started my DDs at 6 months as it is before the 8 month point where a baby forms a very strong attachment to the primary caregiver and becomes really wary of strangers.

[Asleeponasunbeam]

My DS started at nearly 3 after having had a part time nanny from 15 months. He loved it after the first week.

DD had a childminder from 13 months and went to part time nursery at 3. She never loved it as much as DS does.

Seemed the right balance for us.

[squizita]

I'm going at 1 year (or rather dd will).

I think it depends on the nursery. A very small baby led one Might suit younger children for example. In a city you can shop about but elsewhere it might be harder.

[Yika]

My DD started at 5 months and it was always fine. I actually had no choice because I needed to go back to work, but the staff told me that in any case they found that younger babies settled better than 1-year-olds as Pico says.

I noticed a big difference though when she turned 3 in terms of her independence and social skills - I would say 3 is the point at which she really thrived in the group setting and started to truly enjoy it.

[Pocket1]

Thank you so much for all your replies. Might see if I can stretch it to 3 years

[Saltedcaramel2014]

I'm with you Pico2. Started DS two days a week at 6 months and it went really well. Separation anxiety kicked in at a year but by then I was confident to see it through knowing that the place was good and he was happy there. Sorry absolutely no use to you OP! But in case others are considering/have to leave their child early

[Andcake]

Ds thrived at nursery we started him at 2.1 he didn't cry once - loves going and never looked back. He only does mornings not full days but he loves it.
I think a lot gas to do with the setting and the child ds has come on so much and think he would have missed out so much without it. However I do think he didn't need it until he was 2

[dementedpixie]

Both mine started at age 3 when they got their free hours. I didn't see a need for it before then

[cadidog]

6 months here too. 2 half day sessions a week. By the time he was doing 3 days a week at 10 months old he knew all the staff and there were no settling issues at all. I still cried in the car park after leaving him for his first full day at nursery but he was fine.

At 18 months he has the occasional morning when he'd rather be somewhere else but I'm 100% confindent they're looking after him well.

[WingsClipped]

3 worked well for DD1. Old enough for her to tell me about her day and what she did/didn't enjoy.

[Candlefairy101]

We tried to start my boy earlier (7 months due to me doing my degree) but he hated it so I begged my mum to have him

At the age of three he literally run in the place, and I couldn't get home out at the end of the day .

Age 3 was definitely the right. Time for him but I think maybe all children are different some are relaxed and chilled others like mine just wanted family and home life until he was old enough to 'hang around with a friend there' x

[Buglife]

My 11 month old just started (settling in period from 10.5 months) and he's been fine from day one. Nothing more than a one off shout when I left once and they always say he's been happy and settled every day. He's two days a week. He seems very secure that I'm leaving him but will come back for him. He has a little cry when I arrive to pick him up like he's just remembered me! I think he's at an age where he hasn't got a massive concept of time so he doesn't seem to know he's being left for a while and he's always been a chilled out boy who has been fine going to others (family and friends) for hugs etc when he's around them, and been looked after on occasion by grandparents. So he's never been very upset by me or DH leaving him with others. It may change when he's more aware of being left or hits a clingy phase. I'm very happy with the situation anyway. I can work knowing he's having a good time! It will all depend on the child, it's not a given any child of any age will find it upsetting or not.

[TravellingToad]

About 3 years I think.

[Buglife]

To add, it probably has got a lot to do with the set up. My nursery has a very separate baby room which is like a big living room and some of his days only 3 or 4 babies are in at once with 3 members of staff (two there all the time and a third in and out). They have a seperate garden for the babies as well. They do occasionally take DS to the older room if he's the only one awake or the last to be picked up so he has company but otherwise it's quite a nice homely environment for him and not too loud/busy and there's practically 1 to 1 care at times!

[Haylzey86]

We started Jacob at 9 months 1 full day and a half day a week and have had no problems he loves it

[qumquat]

Dd started with the childminder at 10 months and loved it from the first, she never cried at drop off. I think a lot of if they settle quickly or not is down to personality rather than age though.

[Chchchchanging]

Watching with interest:ds went at o no probs this one will be 11 mo and I'm fearing it tbh..