can i send my 28 month old to a nursery?

[bikerbabe5]

Hi there, I am new to mumsnet, but hope someone can give me some advice. My son is 28 months old and i want to send him maybe two hours or so, twice a week, to a nursery. I don't have any friends with kids and i feel he would benefit greatly from it. Im not sure what age he is eligible, how to find a reputable place. Can anyone give me some pointers please. I have looked on the net, but most places look like they start from 3 years old. I live in the North East of England.

[Mum2girls]

You can put him in a nursery from about 3 months old (I think) if you're prepared to pay for it. Free child places aren't available until their 3rd birthday though.

[bikerbabe5]

I don't mind paying for it though that depends how much it would be. I used to go to a mothers and toddlers group but he was the only one there most of the time, so pointless really. Would i have to register him in somewhere now for his 3rd birthday in June? I really am quite flummoxed by it all!

[Mum2girls]

It's best if you can get a recommendation when choosing a nursery, but if you've no friends with kids it might be difficult.

Maybe your local council could give you a list (I think they provide lists of childminders and might do nurseries too).

Failing that phone up and arrange a visit to a few - you're under no obligation and you can get a list of their prices, their availability and most do a prospectus, telling you a bit about the 'ethics' of the nursery.

[rachiebb]

Many nurseries attached to schools will take children from the term before their third birthday but places aren't funded until the term after their third birthday. Have you thought of a Montessori nursery?

[staceym11]

for his free place you will have to register for him to start in the sept after he is 3, and registration generally starts around janurary, but this is only at some nurserys, private nurseries (from 3 months generally) will not give these free places.

hope that helps!

[bikerbabe5]

Whats the Montessori nursery?? So if he needs to be registered after his 3rd birthday in June, and i can't register him until Jan then he will be nearly 4? Is that right? I think i will just have to pop into some places and ask about it. I just wanted some advice so i didn't look completely stupid when i went in!

[staceym11]

no you register in jan for him to start the sept after he is three, sorry didnt word it right did i? lol

[bikerbabe5]

Ah, that makes more sense. Do i sound like im desperate to get rid of him?? I think he is just bored. He is sick of the sight of the local park and airport! Thanks for that!

[bikerbabe5]

There is a primary next to me that is quite good, i will pop in tommorow to see if they have nursery places too, and if i can stick his name down. Thats been really helpful. It really is scary and there does not seem like too much information for first time parents out there. Thanks again everyone.

[staceym11]

thats cool, no i know what you mean, if i didnt have a network of friends with kids and activities (such as toddler group and rhymn time at the library) i would go crazy with dd in the house or at the park (its getting too cold for the park too!) lol good luck!

[nappybaglady]

Are you Teesside or Tyneside?

I'm Tees and can recommend a good nursery if it would help

[bikerbabe5]

Im Gateshead, so thats prob no good. Thanks anyway. He is just so inquisitive and into everything, i feel bad when i tell him off for being naughty. I know he is just bored. He pressed the stop button on the escalator in TopShop yesterday! I was so embarrassed!

[nappybaglady]

Topshop - lol.

Good luck with finding somewhere