To ask at what age you put your child in nursery?

[chuckb4ss]

Was it part time or full time, and did you feel it was beneficial for your child?

I've read that research shows babies should be with their primary caregiver for the first few years in order to create a secure, healthy attachment, but I simply cannot last that long!

It was part time, forgot to mention. 15 hours a week.

15 months - I went back to work at 12 months but dh is a teacher so for a couple of weeks dp/dpil had ds then dh had hin for the summer.

First one didnt go until 2yr 10 months. Second one went at 11 months and same with third. All part time as I reduced my work hours. If you are mentally struggling then better to have child in daycare at least pt

First started at 9-10mo. For two days a week, which we upped to 3. One day a week with family.
Second started at 15mo (lockdown so wasn't needed) and I worried about her because she was so clingy but bloody hell she loves it. Same days as eldest (started 2 now 3)
Best thing that's happened to them. Apart from having me as a mum!

3 days a week since he was 10 months old. Absolute godsend having a place he can socialise and do mucky activities and so on.

Full time from when they were six months (normal maternity leave then) and my career wouldn’t have survived taking any longer off. It was a lovely nursery who were lovely with DT’s. We were lucky to find such a good place.

Eldest started at childminder at 6 months moved to nursery at 3
Youngest started nursery at 1

Both were 4 days a week in line with my working days
Both loved it and gained much more than had they been home with me - which Wasn’t an option anyway

Aged three for three mornings a week. Changed to three full days after a few months.

13 months childminder for 2 long days a week for like 2 awful months, glad to had pulled her out

22 months nursery 2.5 school days a week which has been wonderful for her and we don't want to take her out for anything

In theory I prefer a childminder for a younger toddler but she wasn't a good fit unfortunately and she was the only option really (no one else's had availability or I liked when I met them)

I read that advice/guidance too OP so I stayed at home with DS and didn't put him in preschool until he was 3y3mo old and eligible for free hours. I should DEFINITELY have done it sooner. Parenting him between the age of 2.5y and 4yo was the hardest thing I've ever done and I ended up with anxiety and depression.

4 months

Full-time at ten months. I don't know if it was beneficial to her, but it certainly was to our family as both DH and I are happier working and have no desire to be a SAHP. Certainly did her no harm, she settled after a few days and was happy from there on in, even went in happily to a new room after lockdown. Practically shoulder charged one of her friends to be in before him this morning (she'll be three in April).

DD2 will also starting full-time at ten months in May, no regrets, no guilt.

12 months he went in for 2x half days then 1 full day at 18 months as it suited changing it due to nap time.
From 3 he was in 2x half days and 1x full day.

DD went to pre-school the term after her 3rd birthday. It’s attached to the school she now attends.
DS1 started at 3
DS2 just started 1 day a week at 18 months

Sorry- DD did 5 mornings & DS1 now does 3 full days

I didn't put either of mine in nursery. They both started the pre school attached to their school the term after their 3rd birthday. And both did a few mornings a week.

4 months, FT. He had/has a very secure attachment

childminder 4 days from 7 months, then 2 days cm 2 days nursery from 12 months. At 2 she went to nursery for the 4 days.

Both at 6months. Had to go back to work. Have healthy happy attachments with each of them.

I didn't.
Only a pre school year at 4- part time ( reception equivalent)
Far too busy having fun and learning to want to use nursery.

My first born went when he was three for two half days a week, my second son will be going soon he’s three and a half and I’m putting him in preschool for five half days 12.30 until 3. My second son gets bored when his brothers at school and will love the stimulation my first born was quiet and happy at home.

My two were 5 months old, back then you only got 6 months off so I had to go back after both maternity leaves at 5 months. Wouldn't change it now as was lucky to be part time so felt I had the best of both

Dc1-
3 when he started school nursery. He was at home from birth until he started at school nursery. That was ok and at the time we were both happy with life the way it was.

Dc2-

1. He would have ended up doing the same as DC1, but his circumstances were quite different. He had developmental delays especially speech. He got the 2 year funding to help with this. He has asd and learning difficulties which were diagnosed a year or two later. Nursery certainly helped him! Then he started school nursery at 3.

DC3-

1. I was so in love with Dc2’s nursery that DC3 had to go there. He had absolute ball. Then he started school nursery at 3.

DC4-
2, the age she is now. She goes to the same nursery as her brothers. She too loves it! She will go to school nursery when she turns 3 too.

18 months part time as husband self employed. I would have put in from 12 months had family not been able to help.
I love nursery, my DD loves it and when things were normal, pre covid, had birthday invites and we attended sports days etc. Very few of my close friends have children so it’s really a great place to have her mix with other kids.
Biggest help was probably with potty training, keen to follow her peers it was a relative breeze to train her.

@chuckb4ss honestly take that research with a pinch of salt. If you need to use nursery for a break or to go to work it won't affect your attachment. It's much better for you to be a well rested, less stressed parent by using childcare.

Choose the right nursery and they will gain a lot from being there. They have new toys, messy plan, fun gardens and they will forge good attachments to the staff there.