For parents who use nurseries (under 2)

[Isabella26xx]

Just in the process of getting my 9 month old into a nursery, don't know any other mummies with s similar dd
Please can you tell me:

What age is your ds/dd?
How often do they go to nursery?
What is the average pay per month ?

I'm trying to find term time only!

Is 9 months too young for nursery? Is it s good idea? It's heartbreaking enough as it is at the thought of her with strangers , I've had a few comments from family members saying shes too young - basically trying to tell me to wait til after she's 18 months
I feel so guilty

[MissSusanSays]

My DD went at 6 months old for a day a week. We upped it to 2 days at 18 months. She loves it as it is all she’s ever known and she’s learned a lot from it.

We pay about £400 a month for two days.

[Tryingforsleepthief2]

My little girl started nursery at 9 months. It was heart breaking. I wasn't allowed to go part time so she did 4 days a week there and then luckily my mum had her on Fridays.

I found it really hard. Everything was written in a book and I had to ask questions about what she ate, how she had coped otherwise I would have a 'it's been a good day today' with no other information. Thats not to say that all nurseries are like that, the staff there were quite young and I don't think they knew how to talk with adults.

By the time she was a year I moved her to a Childminder and found this a much better option for us, as I liked the personal touch of a conversation at the end of the day and hearing about the funny things she had done.

The down side was making a packed lunch instead of food being provided but I found a Childminder that accepts childcare vouchers from my work and who offers term time hours only so I don't need to pay a retainer fee for her space in the holidays when I don't need it.

Really long post, hope it's useful!

[SleepyMcEdie]

I looked in to nurseries for when DS was 9 Months old but I chose a childminder instead.

My reasons were:

1. I liked the 1:1 relationship with a childminder rather than it being several members of staff in nursery
   
2. I didn’t want him spending all day in one room- childminder does lots of trips out
   
3. I couldn’t find a term time only nursery whereas my childminder does this

[Katescurios]

My DD is starting schoolin a couple of weeks. She started nursery 4 days a week, MIL 1 day a week from 9 months. we have never had any problems at all, she settled in easily, has had the same key worker through baby, middle and big room. She has several friends who've been there as long as she has too.

We paid £880 a month until the 3 yr 30 hrs funding came in when thank god it dramatically reduced.

The nursery we use is a community co op, not for profit and works in conjunction with sure start, we have termly and half termly assessments to see where DD is on the EYFS framework. They use an online diary so we pics and videos uploaded most day of her having fun or learning something new.

Its a big nursery with just over 30 staff and about 200 families. They have never closed for bad weath er or sickness, they only have 1 week off at xmas and the main bank holidays.

I chose nursery over childminder for the consistency and the opportunity to socialise with a broad range of children and adults.

[SweepTheHalls]

All my 3 went to nursery at 8 months old, they did 2 or 3 days a week, and the current one costs me £55 per day, term time only. I like knowing there is no risk of them shutting due to staff illness, which worries me with a childminder, I like the wide range of activities and there being a range of staff there so if she does not bond with one, there are other staff there. It's worked very well for all of them

[Katescurios]

Oh to add, this year they have taken the kids to:

The zoo
The city farm
T he museum
Several trips into town
Numerous trips to the park, usually with a picnic lunch
Soft play, next door at the leisure centre

[Sarahandduck18]

I’ve used both cm and nursery at that age.

It’s so hard. In the long run I’d choose nursery because that is definitely better for over 2s and it would be disruptive to move from cm to nursery at 2.

As a mother people will always criticise you. Dont base decisions on it!

[PurplePotatoes]

My DS started nursery at 13 months for 3 days a week. we pay £546 a month.
When he was smaller he had a book where they would write what he'd eaten and how much, when he slept, activities he'd done and nappy changes. Now he's older that info is just given verbally.

He's now 23 months and still crys when we drop him off most days but they have had an awful lot of staff changes meaning his key worker has changed or not been there and i think at this young age that consistency of care is really important.

I think you will be lucky to find a term time only place in a nursery tbh, I think you might have more luck there with a childminder.

[Catspyjamazzzz]

DD went at 12 months until she was 6 (after school). It’s a lie they don’t forge close relationships with the staff, she did and it was individuals she liked and chose. Ours had very little staff turnover so most of them were with her all the way through.
They never closed because of illness and only shut over xmas.
Ours had a cook as well so they got really good food.

I didn’t like childminders. I went to baby groups with many of them and didn’t think they seemed like they even liked the children they looked after. Although DD does go to a childminder now and she’s fab.

I used to work with someone who sent her DD to a term time only nursery at a college. Not sure if there are many about though.

[Faster]

My DS started nursery 1.5 days a week at 8mo, I pay £280 a month, with a 5% discount for NHS staff. His key worker is an angel sent from above to make babies happy. She is amazing. Amazing. AMAZING.
He had to go to nursery as I’m a single Mum and I work full time, I had no other options for childcare.

I went to pick him up the other week, he was the last one in the baby room, he was sat on his key workers hip and she was kissing his cheeks and he was full belly laughing. It was beautiful. He flaps his arms in excitement when we pull up outside.
We had a little parents evening and they demonstrated ten times over that they know him. Who he is.

[Faster]

Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had teething issues, I wanted him to sleep more, more frequent naps, so I mentioned it to them and hey presto more naps. Open communication is paramount.

[Fatted]

I've used both childminders and nurseries. Personally, when my eldest was a baby I preferred a childminder, just because it was a home from home. I went back to work when he WAS roughly 7 months and hated the idea of him being at a nursery.

I sent youngest to a nursery at 2. I worked part-time after he was born so didn't need childcare for him. We get funded hours here from 2. I wanted a nursery for him at this stage so he could socialise with a lot more children his own age.

Now I'm going back full time soon, we've gone with a childminder purely because it's easier with school pick ups etc while youngest does half days and to pick eldest up.

In short, I think a childminder is better for younger babies and a nursery is better for older children (2 and over).

[Katescurios]

@catspyjamazzz i am always so jealous of the food!!

Go to pick DD up after a long busy day, where lunch was a pack of crisps eaten hastily at my desk. DD has had pasta for lunch with cake and custard then a roast dinner for tea with fruit salad for pudding.

[Rockandrollwithit]

My DS1 started nursery at 11 months. He went for three days a week from 7am-5pm and then was looked after by the same family member for the other two days. DH and I are both teachers but had to pay for days that we didn't use in the holidays (we still sent him once a week to not break his routine).

He's now 4 and starting school in September. He's been through every room in the nursery including the preschool and has made so many friends. We have made friends with the parents of his friends and his social life is more active than mine. He's a happy boy and has a lovely bond with both of us.

Ignore what other people are saying and think about what YOU want to do. I wanted to return to work when I did and it made me a happier and better parent, so DS going to nursery was better for him in the long run.

[OllyBJolly]

I’d choose nursery because that is definitely better for over 2s

In your opinion. There's actually a lot of research out there that suggests "group based" childcare can cause stress to pre-schoolers. So it's not definite.

I opted for a childminder because I wanted a home environment for my children. She was never sick in the 10 years I used her, and would take my DCs to groups, to swimming, to the park, to all sorts of activities. I know I struck lucky.

[flamingofridays]

Ds started at 9 months part time and went full time at about 1 and a half. I was a bit apprehensive because he was so young but hes always been fine and now at 2 loves it so much that he asks if we can visit his key worker on weekends!

Visit a few if you can.

We pay £43 a day 8am - 6pm all meals included but we provide nappies and wipes.

[Isabella26xx]

Thank you so much
Yes this is extremely useful! This is what I'm dreading and your response has answered all my questions and confirmed to me I may have to look into childminders ,
I've been toying with the idea, it was just the childminder I had in mind was fully booked
It is so heartbreaking , hate the thought

[flamingofridays]

Will also add that its a sure start centre so they're also very up on safeguarding, they hold lots of free events and they have classes for parents who want to attend.

We are in an area which has a real mix of people some who are definitely struggling as well as some who are very well off and our kids all mix together and receive the same support and so do we and i like that a lot.

Dp was initially a bit worried about using a surestart as he thought it would be a bit shit and we dont need any of the other services they offer. We also viewed a private nursery and the owner was so up her own arse we made our decision right there and then!

[Isabella26xx]

@Katescurios
Omg this nursery sounds fab. May I ask where it is based? Or the name of it?

[looooopy18]

Mixed views in here which is totally fine and quite eye opening but my vote would always be for Nursery. I personally feel they give your child everything they need and it's a great way of socialising them early too plus learning to share etc. My DS went to Nursery from 9 months old and he absolutely loved it! He's now 18 months old and goes to a different one (due to job changes location etc) and settled in perfectly. I do agree with pp who say it depends on the Nursery and the staff, but the one my ds goes to is brilliant. They have an app, it's almost like Facebook, and your child has a 'profile' which they update every time he eats, sleeps, had his nappy changed etc etc. The staff are also lovely too with detailed hangovers

[Jfw82]

My ds went to nursery full time at 10 months - 5 days 7-6, it was hard but we both have a long commute and no local family so always knew we needed full TJ e childcare. Ratios that young 1:2 so he gets lots of personal attention; he loves playing with the 'big' kids now when he gets chance and has great relationships with his key workers. We get book with daily update on activities/food/nappies etc and chance to chat everyday T pick up. It was hard to leave him but the nursery was best option for us as open all yer and long hours so easier for us to work with and worked for him. Dc2 due and he will be reducing days/hours during my m/l but post that they will both be there

[looooopy18]

Erm handovers that should've said. Don't put your child in a nursery where anyone has a hangover at the end of the day 😂😂😂😂

[Zofloramummy]

My DD went to nursery three days a week from six months old until school aged.
She loved going and the ‘Aunties’ were brilliant with her. She made friends that aged 7 we still meet up with in holidays. The fees were £400 a month but worth every penny.
I have got her nursery diaries, the workbooks and the many photographs they took. She had a lot of fun. I think it’s an individual choice but I feel I made the right one.

[flamingofridays]

Also remember to consider, child minders will take holidays and have sick days. If you're not easily able to cover this i would really think about looking at a nursery

[SleepyMcEdie]

You need to look at lots of places and settle on somewhere you feel comfortable leaving your child. I met with my childminder 5/6 times before I signed up with her. I had to be sure she was right for DS and she didn’t mind at all and was very understanding that I had to find the right person.

Try not to have any preconditioned ideas, look at lots of settings and then decide on where you feel suits you best.