To be a pushy mum at nursery?

[Wibblewobble100]

DS started nursery 2 months ago at a small chain. He has settled in well, but they have just announced they are closing his nursery and have offered children places at one of there other nurseries. This isn't a problem as the nursery they hoped to move him to was actually our first choice but didn't have space when he started. However..... Because the nursery he was in had space I agreed to be flexible and change days at work every 3 months until early 2016. The new nursery can no longer accommodate this unless they move him from the baby room to the toddler room at 17 months (currently nearly 13 months and not quite walking independently). The nursery doesn't seem keen on this, as he'd be youngest by 3 months. I don't know whether to push for it to keep him in at a nursery we know and like, or look for an entirely new nursery that can accommodate all my changes (seems like a tall order, having looked long and hard when choosing this one). AIBU to think my 17 month old confident ( but average when it comes to milestones) DS will be fine with a bunch of 2-3 year old or will he be totally out of his depth?

[Wibblewobble100]

' their other nurseries'
Must proof read more!

[ChuffinAda]

There is a big difference between a 17 month old and a 3 year old. He'll get shoved around and find concepts like sharing hard.

If you need flexibility have you tried a childminder?

[Mrsjayy]

There really is a big gap between a 17 month old baby and a 3 year old imo however 7f he was at a childminder he would be mixing with all age children so i dont think it matters the nursery seem to be mucking you about though I think I would look for alternative childcare but i think a 17month old would be fine in the toddler room

[littlejohnnydory]

I think he'd be fine.

[Mrsjayy]

They will have different ratios iyswim so your son would still be classed as a baby they would need to juggle staff and maybe children to accomadate him the reason i said they were mucking you about is they have space or not the logistics of it is up to nursery.

[kaymondo]

I think he'd be fine - 3 months at that age won't make that much difference, especially when you consider that different children develop at different rates. They don't suddenly acquire lots of new skills and abilities on their 2nd birthday!

[MovingToAlnwick]

My 23 month old would have preferred to be with the 3 year olds, even when he was 17 months old. But that is because he has a nearly 4 year old sister. He is used to having to 'keep up' with her.

If he is your first, I'd say it's a bad idea as there is a huge difference between a 17 month old and a 3 year old. He won't be used to how rough they play and they will all be a lot stronger than him.

[MovingToAlnwick]

Really sorry I read your thread wrong!

3 months is nothing, he will be fine I'm sure.

[DancingDinosaur]

I think he'd be fine.

[SaucyJack]

I dunno if I would if I had a choice.

17 months is as different to a 3 year old as they are to a newborn.

Obviously it wouldn't be the end of the world, but not ideal either.

[BarbarianMum]

Sounds like a nightmare. How will he feel when the big children don't want to play with him, or when he keeps getting trampled underfoot when he tries to join the big boys playing chase?

The difference b/w 17mo and 2 is 7 months isn't it? That's a lot.

[grumpysquash]

But not all of the kids in the toddler room will be 3. If DS will be the youngest by 3 months when he is 17 months, then the age range must be 20 months to 3 years. Which would be fine IMO, probably more fun than sharing a room with babies.

[TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams]

I don't get it? [duh]

If they can't accommodate you changing your days every three months then presumably they can commit to a set three days. Surely that's better.

I'd suck it up and let him move up when he is ready. It's a big change anyway.

[NickyEds]

It's not ideal IMHO. If there's your ds at 17 month old, one 20 month old and a load of 2.5-3 year old he'll just get trampled on. My ds is 18 months and at toddler groups that are mainly older toddlers they don't really play with him and he doesn't seem to understand why, and they do tend to trample him a bit. However if it's your 17 month old, a 20 months old then several just 2 year olds it might be different IYSWIM.