Is this too much for a one year old?

[Bhjelly]

Baby going to nursery 3 days a week from January, two days after their first birthday. I am so conflicted. Seems so young still?! Still a baby. If you had the choice would you stay home with them longer?

It's exactly what mine both did and was great for them.

My DD was in nursery at that age - a few days a week while I was at uni and to relief responsibility from family.

Long term it’s fine.

Short term - mum guilt.

If you have the choice you can cut down the day and hours but if you have to - it will be alright x

Absolutely fine

Thanks. I do have the option financially to stay home but I feel a bit overwhelmed with being the sole entertainer from 7am-6pm. So just feeling guilty I think.

Being the sole caregiver to a 1 year old, soon to be toddler is a different ballgame to being on mat leave with a newborn. They will likely love nursery. Give both you and your DC a month to adjust. Make sure they are getting lots of love and good quality time from you in the evenings and at weekends.

My son has been full time with a childminder since nine months. Your child will be fine! :)

Mine went 5 days a week 8-6pm from 9 months. They are both completely well adjusted older children.

Mine were in 5 days a week at that age, if it has to be done it has to be done. Had to drag him out at closing time! If they’re in the right place it definitely helps the guilt

My little boy went two days a week from 6months - 12months, now childminder 5 days. He’s 15 months now and absolutely loves it there playing all day!
Hated dropping him at nursery when he was so little and couldn’t wait to pick him up, but it’s got much easier over time. I didn’t really have a choice financially to not go back to work.

3 days at 1 is fine. Both of mine started at 1, they did 4 days, but only during term time. They were fine, still are!

My son went 1 day a week and it was awful wasn't enough time for him to settle and each week was a reset. Once they space came up he went 3 days and it was absolutely a game changer; it will be fine.

DS started uni at 1 as I was starting university, I honestly think it did him so much good!

My LG goes 4 full days 7:30 to 6pm and had done since 8 months - she loves it and always has x

My 2 DCs both thrived at nursery 3 days a week, DS started at 7 months and DD at 11 months. Both settled in quickly and loved it. Lots of outside play with other kids, loads of craft to do, good food and both of them took naps the same as when at home. I’m also the type who needed to get back to work for my own happiness, as well as for financial reasons. Given the choice I’d choose nursery again as I think it made the whole family happier and meant I could continue earning and I think that’s a good role model for the kids, plus has helped buy them things they love, holidays, music lessons, sports clubs, days out, and now they are teens, clothes, Wi-Fi and contact lenses!

Personally I preferred keeping mine home with me for longer and didn't need to start mine at nursery due to work or anything. For various reasons my eldest didn't start until he was around 4yrs 4m old*, he settled fine, youngest recently started at around 3yrs 3m old, he was clingy with me during settling in weeks but absolutely loves it there just 2 months in. Both started with 15 hours over 3 days.

*different country so they start school later.

Everyone is different, I think nurseries are wonderful and provide a wider range of activities and interactions than a childminder (or I) could.

Both mine went full time from a young age and are thriving. (Caveat is that the nursery is absolutely excellent and has won awards.)