To ask when is a good age to start nursery

[cadburyegg]

I’m very lucky that my DS2 won’t need to go to paid childcare. However, I will eventually want him to go to nursery/ pre school of some description.

When is a “good” age for young ones to start? I was thinking 2.5. My DS1 started nursery at 2.5 but he struggled to settle for a long time but that might have been because he was only doing one day a week...

I think 2.5 is a good age, it’s certainly worth taking up the 15 free hours at age 3 as it really prepares them for school. Yes in my experience (working in nurseries) those that do 1 day a week struggle to settle.

I just waited until the free hours at age 3

Unless you have no choice I would wait until they’re 3.

I think they benefit from it from 18 months.

It depends how much stimulation and socialisation they get outside nursery.

Mine did mornings only (9-12) from age 2. Then gradually added afternoons after 3.

It depends on the child. One of mine would have been better approaching 4 and another was chomping at the bit and loved it before 2. Nobody on here can tell you what’s best for your child as they are all individuals.

There’s lots of research on outcomes in later life. From what I’ve read if the child has a stable home life they are better off at home until they are at least 3.
Nursery may be necessary for work reasons before then but I certainly wouldn’t choose to use a nursery before that age if I didn’t need to. Some parents feel they are giving their child a head start academically by starting them in nursery early or that they need the stimulation but a stimulating home life where they are taken to socialise with family/friends and at the park or playgroups is all they need. And they actually benefit a lot from the care they get from responsive parents/relatives rather than the relative high adult to child ratio in nurseries.

My eldest son went into a Church run nursey aged 2.5yrs every morning and loved it he was the only one at home as his sister was in full time school & he craved the companionship of other little ones his move to full time school went without a hitch as he was so socialised.
My youngest son was 3.5yrs when he started prep he was totally differant to his elder brother who is 6yrs older he needed to be home with me and was not comfortable at 2.5 going to the nursery,he stayed in prep until he was 5 then moved up to the full time school where by that time he felt much more confident with others.
So it all depends on the child and you will know when he is ready.