To ask for positive nursery stories?

[Hazelnuttree]

I've just accepted a job - 3 days a week, start In a few weeks time. I've been a SAHM for a few years. Really excited to be going back to work for many reasons - career I want, financial independence etc., but it means that my littlest will have three long days in nursery every week, 9-5.30, and I'm having a bit of a wobble. Really good nursery. She'll be one when she starts and is very mummy focused, obviously. I'd really love to hear some positive stories about your little ones starting nursery to help me feel less anxious about the whole thing. Thanks!

My DD started at nursery at 11 months and stayed until she started school. She had a great time and remembers it entirely positively. She also did 3 days a week from 8am to just before 6pm. She settled in quite quickly, I would take her in, settle her with breakfast and leave quickly. Loads of playing outside, good food, made good friends she still sees a couple of (she’s 15 now). Nursery helped her develop and she enjoyed the activities and stimulation. Good luck OP I hope it all goes well, enjoy your new job too, you’ll be a great role model for your DD.

I don’t have an opinion from a mum point of view, but I’ve worked in a nursery for years.
Had so many mums in exactly your situation confide in me and express their anxieties and every single one of them has said at a later date how much their child has thrived since starting. It will help your child learn academic skills but also develop socially and emotionally - which sets them up for school without a shocking transition 🙂

DD absolutely loves nursery. She's been going part time since 18 months. I really noticed a difference during that winter lockdown when she couldn't go for a couple of months in how confident she was in trying new things at the park, etc. Nursery has given her a whole new set of experiences that it's hard to replicate at home and made her a more adventurous player and eater! I also noticed a massive leap with speech when she started out too.

I am old and so I only had 6 months mat leave each time. And I went back full time, so my DDs were in nursery 7.30 - 5. I can honestly say they have turned out great - no issues with attachment, they got all their illnesses out of the way before school (which really helped) and ended up with strong immune systems, and they both came into school completely ready to cope and ahead in terms of literacy/numeracy. You do need a good nursery - ours was small, family run with virtually no staff turnover.

My advice would be focus on positives. She’s doing stuff she wouldn’t do with you. Mine did 3 8-6 days from 9m. Went to school happily no issues and was bombproof in terms of illness after being exposed to everything at nursery - barely a day off school ill. She’s 16 and doing gcse and a happy and well adjusted child in line for top grades.

Nursery was great for my kid. Potty trained him, socialised him and generally did all the parenting I couldn't be arsed with.

She loved the food it was proper home cooking. They took them out to allotment and park. She did French and football lessons there. They did a nativity. Academically it set her up well she started primary in top group and stayed there. I honestly can’t remember her not wanting to go. It was a good set up for me - 4 days off with her. She used to go mon to weds. Thurs we went swimming then used to have a chilled afternoon. Friday we did a toddler music class. Good mix for her.

Mine used to love popping back for a visit after she moved up to school.
Once had her key worker to babysit, and it was the highlight of the year! 🤣
Doesn't remember it at all now she’s a teen!

My son didn't have to go to nursery but we felt it would benefit him. It really did!

The day it was announced all the nurseries were closing during the pandemic, my son cried because he didn't want to stop going. The staff were also crying as they said goodbye to the children. It was so sad, but so nice to see that they genuinely did care about the kids.

He's at school now but whenever we drive by his old nursery he tells me how much he misses it and how much he loved it there.

DD has always liked nursery, she started at 9 months old. She gets to do a wider range if activities compared to home (I'm reluctant to do messy things like painting) and it's good for her to be around other kids especially now she's 3. She still gets plenty of time with me and loves me very much but it's also good for her to enjoy time away from me too I think

My DD went three days per week, 8 - 5 from age of 1 year to 4 and loved it. She still remembers the lovely garden and a few friends now five years later. Gave her confidence and helped get her ready for school. It was hard leaving her some days and you have to feel comfortable with the nursery and key person ime. Transitions were a bit tough eg dropping her off, she would sometimes cry and then she wouldn’t want to leave some days at pick up! 😆Best wishes.

Both of my DD’s went to nursery full time. I moved my first to a better nursery and they helped me get her diagnosed with autism due to their experience and kindness.

My youngest missed a good bit thanks to covid and I tried to delay her schooling another year so she could return because she loved it so much.

The right nursery can be amazing for kids and give them great experiences and friendships

DD started at 10 months. She’s does 4 reasonably long days per week and loves it. Had to leg it after her on Thursday when she turned round and ran off back to nursery shouting “Mimi!” who is one of the staff members. She gets to do so much more (messy play, painting, role play, garden time, singing, sliding, eating…) than if she was stuck at home with me

My youngest loves nursery. Looks forward to going and comes out all smiles and excited to tell me about his day. Also, just to add my DM went back to work FT when I was 3 months old and we couldn't be closer so please don't worry. Your little one will be fine.