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Original poster

To ask why people have clothes “for nursery”?

133 replies

Enthusiasticcarrotgrower · 01/04/2025 10:31

Both in local social media groups and with friends, people try to give away clothes “for nursery” that in my opinion are really only suitable as dish rags. Holes, stretched completely out of shape, faded to colourless.

Now, I’m all for preloved clothes and reusing things but there has to be a limit? And I don’t see why it’s ok if these things are “for nursery”?

Surely your child is doing the same things at nursery as they do at home: playing outside getting muddy, painting, climbing, learning to eat nicely, learning to wipe their nose, learning to dress themselves etc. If the clothes aren’t good enough for home, why are they good enough for nursery?

I understand setting aside a few nice, maybe new items for “smart” eg special occasions, but surely either clothes are good enough as day to day play clothes or they’re not? Does everyone send their kids to nursery looking like orphan Annie?!

OP posts:
Lammveg · 01/04/2025 10:39

I think having 'nursery clothes' as in ones you don't care about getting dirty/painted on/other kids snot and slobber on is fair enough.

Wouldn't send them in rags though lol

menopausalmare · 01/04/2025 10:39

Because nursery use 'child safe' paint. When your child is plastered in black paint, you'll get their t-shirt back in a plastic bag at the end of the day and you'll have no chance of getting the paint out.

Caspianberg · 01/04/2025 10:38

Does your nursery not use overalls?

Ds nursery makes them wear overalls for painting, and they wear rain dungerees outside if it’s wet.

If anything he comes home cleaner from nursery than he is at home, so no we don’t have nursery clothes. Just clothes.

JudithWithABigKnife · 01/04/2025 10:37

I don't think the average week at home involves anywhere near as much poster paint and playdough as a week at nursery.

Maybe other people are less concerned about appearances than you are, OP?

lazycats · 01/04/2025 10:37

Have you ever sent your kids to nursery? At the toddler stage it’s basically a free for all with paint, dirt, sand and various other arts and crafts. You very quickly give up on the idea of them coming home looking nice.

Tagyoureit · 01/04/2025 10:35

Clothes for nursery is a real thing. I got my dd things from pound land, dark shorts and t-shirts because everything got so mucky, stained, especially with that bloody paint they use that just does not wash out!!

I would have proper dirty looking clothes though, there's a limit.

BarnacleBeasley · 01/04/2025 10:35

I sort of agree, and I don't have different clothes 'for nursery' - there are only two categories of clothes for DS1, the ones he is willing to wear and the ones he isn't. However, nursery recently asked all the parents to stop sending their children in wearing clothes they mind getting dirty. Apparently some of the kids have been worrying about messing up their clothes and that's stopping them joining in with some of the messier activities.

Also, we do playing outside, eating, climbing etc. at home, but I think one of the main benefits of nursery is that I don't have to do painting and play doh as that's covered elsewhere!

Breezybetty · 01/04/2025 10:33

I think it’s because a lot of people don’t want their children doing anything messy - like playing outside.