To send my son to nursery

[marie8989]

In a dilemma as to whether i should send my son to nursery

DS is 2.2, I'm returning to work soon, both GPs look after him 2 days a week each, i thought he needed more interaction with other children and have looked into nursery 2 days a week.

He sometimes cries his heart out when I leave him to their houses, both parents are so helpful taking him 2 days a week already considering I've been on maternity (sometimes they can be a tiny bit flakey but obviously wasn't an issue as I wasn't in work, just a bit annoying if i had a doctors appointment or something)

But now toddler groups are starting to open up again, and nursery is so expensive (we can afford it but it's like another bloody mortgage!)

I also have loads of annual leave left over (so if anything does come up i can book time off last minute)

More of a WWYD?!

Anyone any experience of putting a child in nursery when you have other options available?

TIA

Personally I think nursery is good for a child's development. Understanding social cues and interacting with kids their age. Also the educational side of activities that nursery would do. As well as building up the immune system, lol! Grandparents are great but they can't do what a nursery can

I'd leave him with the grandparents in the circumstances you describe. If he finds out hard being left with them, he's not going to find being left at nursery any easier. And having three different places to be left with different people each week is a lot. I'd encourage the grandparents to make use of toddler groups or arrange playdates to give him some social contact, or do that yourself in the weekend or whenever he's with you. In another year or so he'll get free nursery, and be old enough to get a lot out of that.

Gonna be the first to ask, why is he with Grandparents 4 days a week when youre not working?

How about a bit of a mixture? 2 days at nursery, 1 day with each set of grandparents.

@Mummy0b i went back to work and they provided childcare, then i got pregnant again and they were happy to continue taking him 2 days each and keep him in the routine whilst i was on my second maternity, obviously I'm very grateful to them, they also have other commitments themselves so any week they can't take him I'm happy to have him

Oh sorry I see that is what you're planning, I thought it would be 4 days in nursery.
Yeah, why not? Sounds like a good compromise if ou can afford it.

I guess I'm wavering a bit at the thought of paying so much money when i have other free childcare available, they're both eager to go to toddler groups too but i just don't know if the toddler groups are enough

Thanks for the comment regarding him going to 3 different places, it is a lot and something i hadn't considered

@ChocOrange1 that's the plan, 2 days a week, I haven't paid a deposit yet so maybe i need to discuss it further with DH

Toddler groups and play dates are enough social interaction. My daughter started preschool when she had just turned 3 (free hours) and then it was lockdown so she didn't attend for 6 more months, but socially and academically she is absolutely fine. They don't need to go to nursery for this, but if you want them to then fine

My parents looked after my son 3 days per week and wanted to continue but when he got to nearly 2 years old I listened to everyone telling me he needed to go to nursery for his development and put him in 2 days per week. Fast forward to now, he’s nearly 3.5 years and tells me he hates the days at nursery and loves his one day with his grandparents. Problem is, now my mum has health problems and can only manage the one day per week. If I could go back, I’d let them keep having him because they both loved that time together and now it’s not an option. I think they are small for such a short amount of time and if they’re happy then that in itself is great for their development

@ChocOrange1

Toddler groups and play dates are enough social interaction. My daughter started preschool when she had just turned 3 (free hours) and then it was lockdown so she didn't attend for 6 more months, but socially and academically she is absolutely fine. They don't need to go to nursery for this, but if you want them to then fine

I completely agree. I work in a preschool and they come on in leaps and bounds once they’re developmentally ready. Nothing can replace the close bond of being with grandparents plus toddler groups and then lots of free childcare when they are allowed it. Your child will thrive, don’t worry just because “nursery” has become this magical word for guilty parents who worry they should do more. Paid childcare is hugely expensive and you don’t need to pay out for your dc’s social development

@ItsAllOrangeAndYellow

Personally I think nursery is good for a child's development. Understanding social cues and interacting with kids their age. Also the educational side of activities that nursery would do. As well as building up the immune system, lol! Grandparents are great but they can't do what a nursery can

From 3 yes. Before then it's just childcare

It’s lovely that his grandparents are helping out, and if they are willing to go to toddler groups then that’s perfect. He’s getting well cared for by family and the chance to be around other children. Don’t waste your money on nursery just yet. Wait till he’s ready for pre school.

Eek i think i might have to keep it as is then, the grandparents will he happy i think and it'll keep it simple too (and save me money!)

I was worried i was just being a bit mean but it is a lot of money. Plus I'm lucky to work somewhere where if i had to book a day off at short notice it wouldn't be frowned upon