To send toddlers to nursery when I don't work?

[SleepingStandingUp]

I had planned on sending DTwins to nursery when they turn 3, for half days at DSs school. The opportunity has come up to send them for 30. And possibly 32.5.

If I send for 30 it's just the free hours, plus packed lunch. They'll finish 30 minutes before DBro.
If I send for 32.5 they'll all finish together but it will cost me £120 a TERM for both kids to cover the extra half an hour a day.

But here's the catch. I don't work. We qualify for the 30 hours as I'm a carer for DS who's at school. I could use the time to study and do more housework etc. But I wouldn't look for work.

Is it wrong to send them? I feel ike they'll be easier to take out as they get older so will I regret having no free time together? But otoh I'm conscious their speech is behind and they'll be nurserying with kids who've been in since 2 and kids who are in full time

If I worked it would be different but I'd use the vtiek for my OU degree primarily

Yeah DS is going into yr3 so they should get a sibling place the year DS starts year 5. Def going there

I will def talk to them about options around something less than 30. School will want them in m/every day but perhaps they could have an afternoon each with me

Absolutely send them op and as pp said I'd just hang around half an hour rather than pay. I did this with all my dc didn't always work the days they were in nursery but they went in regardless, I needed some me time.

I Wil ask about flexibility but it's school nursery so kmi think generally they're less flexible. 30 hours is brand new to them (not even confirmed yet and won't start until Jan at best).

They'll do 5 terms in nursery as they'll be one of the oldest long term so did think I could start in half days and go up to 30 the following Sept

I would absolutely send them! You definitely need and deserve a break and it'll be great for them! Perhaps you could send them 4 days a week and have a day with them if you'll miss the time together.

Why would it be wrong?

If it helps I sent mine for free 30 hours and I didn't work, I did it because she enjoyed it. I also home educated for year 1 and 2 because I thought that best, then school for Year 3.

Do whatever is best for you and your children. If you're bettering yourself while your child is at a good provision and you're saving money then that's a lot of wins.

The hours are there for their development and integration. If you don't send them now, they'll only start school next year anyway.

Absolutely you should. They will learn social skills and independence before starting school and you further your career by studying. Win win!

Send them after the first couple of terms you'll probably feel ready to do something with the time but yep we all need downtime!

This shouldn't even be up for discussion, send them. If you feel guilty, I'll fill the forms out for you myself.

Definitely do it. I work full time and sometimes I take a day off and still send my child to nursery and swan about doing eff all for the day. Your plans sound much more productive.

It's absolutely fine.
Have they got two full years before school? If so me being me, I'd probably start with 2.5 days and build up. Then you still get time with them and other groups/activities if you want to.

Send them it's good for them.

Don't be a mummy martyr, it doesn't help you or them

Going to nursery will be good for them and good for you x

I would also send them for the free hours. It’ll do them the world of good being exposed to other children their age and the benefits of the curriculum.

Nursery teacher here. Of course you should send them.

They're def starting Jan '23, dear god help the school if they tell me there's no spaces 😂 but initially we'd only expected 15 hours.

I didn't want DS to start school but I knew he needed it (he had a fair whack of developmental delays) whereas I'm looking forward to the twins going. That's why I feel bad. And that's why I question sending them for selfish reasons.

I think talking to school about flexing it will help.

😂😂😂

The other thing is it isn't a binding contract so if its too much I could pull them back to half days

I did it, it didn’t occur to me it might be wrong. I needed a break, nothing wrong with that. Although when my son was older and found out it wasn’t compulsory he did do a ‘whaaat! , I didn’t have to go?’😁

We kept our oldest in nursery when I was on maternity leave ( 2 days a week) and even when I decided not to go back to work we kept him in . He was two and we did not get any funding but he was doing so well there . I noticed his speech improving , he was learning so much and he loved it .

Next month I’m sending my 20 month old into nursery for two days . Im still not working but in October I’ll be starting a degree ( evening classes ) so I will need time to study during the day.

Compromise and send them for e.g. 4 days? no need to feel guilty either way though. They'll probably love it.

Get them sent. Make the most of the 30 free hours and they will enjoy it too. My twins came on so much going to nursery - it makes a big difference. You don't need to use the full 30 hours if you don't want to.

I put my then toddler daughter into a private nursery at 2 1/2 for 3 days a week (I can’t remember how much now, a bloody fortune, it was 22 years ago before free hours lol), to help her gain independence, develop her social skills and stretch her imagination in another different environment.

I was only working part time due to a developing disability (in the evenings so my now husband took over); not only did it give me a little vital down time, it gave her extra opportunities to understand a bigger world outside of our circle.

I’m an identical twin, and am told I was a bit of a hurtle turtle whirlwind with my sister at that age; if my Mum had been given the opportunity to send us to nursery I think she would have bitten off their hand to take it!

I was a SAHM and both DC went to nursery at 3 and a half in the nursery class of the Primary School they eventually attended. I didn’t send them to any other nursery because I didn’t think it was necessary. we did lots of activities at home and they had lots of play dates for socialisation.

I love hurtle turtle whirlwind