Negativity regarding nursery

[Bunraku]

I'm a SAHM and my 2yo seems bored with spending his days with mummy.
I've noticed when we are walking around the supermarket and he sees other children he becomes excited and reaches out for them. He doesn't speak much but he is visibly happy to see children and it makes me feel a bit sad because although he is quite happy to be alone or with me or daddy or the dogs perhaps human friends of his own age would benefit him and break up his week a little bit.

I also feel that a couple of half days in nursery could enhance his struggling speech and teach him how to play nicely with other children and share ect and I could even fit a little bit of care work in while he is there, so I asked around asking if anyone could recommend anywhere but my relatives and friends gave me various versions of "it is a waste of money, it's pointless and lazy to send him there when you can be a SAHM, nurseries are crap." etc.

I'm a first time parent so I don't know if it's one of those things you are positive that you need and then it's pointless so I'm looking for opinions.

AIBU and "wasting money" or are they ABU to be so negative?

When I was a SAHM and my children were pre-schoolers, I used to send one in to nursery one morning, one on another morning and both on a Friday morning so I could have some time off. I don't feel at all guilty.

It was a perfect set up, I got a small break and I got time with each child at least once a week on a one to one basis. I was also lucky that the nursery they attended was very good and very reasonably priced (3 hrs for £10 at not that long ago either!).

I wouldn't have been able to do that as a working parent as would have been governed by working hours. (Like I am now) It's not lazy parenting at all, ignore your friends and family (or rather, simply don't mention it again!!) and follow your instincts.

YANBU. DS1 went to nursery 2 days a week from 2.5 because DS2 (aged 8 months at the time) has SN and was offered a place at a sn baby group that didn't allow siblings. I used the rest of the time to do other appointments and housework so I had more time for DS1 the rest of the week. DH worked for another nursery in the chain so we got half price fees plus they took the fees from his wages before tax so that saved some more.

DS2 was a bit reluctant to leave me for anything although he quite liked it when he got there so he just went to the local preschool for 2 mornings a week when he got his funding to prepare him for school.

DS3 is currently 2.3 and loves being with other children but isn't ready for more structured activities just yet so we go to quite a few toddler groups and we'll think about preschool when he's a bit older.

I think at this age some children need preschool and others aren't ready yet so do what you think is best for your DS and ignore what other people think.

Well I called the nursery closest to me since it seems a logical first step and the lady seemed really nice. She has invited us all to come and have a look around on Monday and see what sort of things the children get up to, and if I like what I see, my son can come back and play for a little while on Tuesday to see what he thinks, and I can either stay or leave for that time. If it's not right I guess I just look elsewhere but at least I'm moving in the right direction and I just hope he likes it!

Bunraku thats great, and really important you go in with him the first couple of times I think so you get a feel for the place as well you wont feel so bad when you leave him then, you know your child best, and as others have said here, if they are ready for it, can be a huge boost for their language, creative skills and independence. Good luck!