To think this is not ideal but not damaging (childcare)

[takethestep]

Baby started nursery at 11 months; nursery very suddenly closed down. Had to find another one quickly and the one found was nice but not ideal in terms of location so another nursery move following a house move aged 2. In a forest school setting for a year but care sub par so final move age 3.

It isn’t ideal but AIBU to think this isn’t damaging in any way?

I think your thread title nails it though - clearly it's not ideal, clearly you wouldn't have done it if it wasn't necessary, and while it's not optimal, your child's primary attachment is to you. Cut yourself some slack - you couldn't leave them where the care was dodgy and did the best you could with a particularly irksome set of circs.

Why ask?

GS between 5 months old and 11 months had a childminder who after 2 weeks said her husband was ill so couldn't have him any more.
So he moved to 2nd childminder who you could tell really didn't like him or us! So we tried a nursery and he settled.
3 settings in 6 months
Luckily he had 4 happy years at the nursery. Then the pattern seemed to follow again
1 school then moved house and school then moved to a separate junior school as they weren't attached then lockdown then back to original school because of house move for year 6 then to secondary!
But that's life and a set of circumstances can't always be regimental.

Just wondering.

We ended up with 4 in 3 years(inadequate care/closed down/moved house) DD can only remember the last one and has had no lasting effects.
Staff at nursery's can also change so how is it different from child moving.

With a stable secure attachment from a parent they spend a decent amount of time with this isn't so bad. I've worked as a nanny and after a couple of very challenging families I made the decision not to take on kids who have had multiple childcare changes as their behaviour was notably worse and they usually had anxiety. But it's the chicken or the egg isn't it- are they like that because they have no secure carer or did the carers leave because they are like that.

Regardless. You have done the best you can in the circumstances. You are considering wether this may have impacted your child and that I think is the key part. You say she's happy and adjusted so be glad she's got the personality she has and don't worry about what you can't change

My little boy

Started at nursery #1 at 14 months but relationship broke down and I left his father

Started nursery #2 at 16 months old, which he didn't attend much as he had his leg amputated during this time, but regardless nursery couldn't meet his needs so we removed him

Started nursery #3 at 21 months old and we absolutely adored this nursery. First time he started going more consistently (3 times a week) and I started back at my degree

But unfortunately 7 months later I had to find a new place to live as was evicted and this was a while away from the nursery we loved and I don't drive so he went to nursery #4 right up til he started reception then

Hasn't bothered him in any kind of way, he thrived and made friends immediately at each one and is extremely confident. Think it just depends on the child but they're so young at this age I really wouldn't feel too much worry/guilt, sometimes things are out of our control.

Then here is your answer.
Stop worrying. In an ideal world the kid would go to one great nursery until they start school but you had to do the best you could.

Pre schoolers play along side but don't make friends until nearer school age so less difficult to move. Different experiences possibly good for developing brains. However there will be the odd child who might get very upset possibly if they are neurodiverse

No of course not
It's great for them.
My kids school put huge emphasis on continuity that they couldn't sustain and they started having supply teachers routinely
You are just preparing them for life.

We had to do similar - for slightly different reasons but same outcome.
DD1 went from an excellent nursery (A) full time to being at home with me while I was on mat leave.
Then we found her a nursey for 2 days a week.
Then when I went back to work they didn't have space (as promised) so she split her week between two different nurseries (B&C) while DD2 was in the nursery (C) full time
But we didn't like C and it was a trek so we found a childminder.
Then eldest started school, and youngest went to a preschool.

My kids didn't bat an eyelid. The never had anxiety starting school, they were happy to start new clubs, have new teachers etc.

I work in a nursery. It's very common for international students to have attended 2 or 3 previous settings by the age of 2. Some personalities thrive on change, others on stability and routine.

Well DS is 20 @ University and absolutely thriving, he had;
Childminder from 11m-2.5
Nursery 1 2.5-3.5
Nursery 2 + nanny 3.5-4.5

Doesn't apear to have dome him any harm.

@strugglingmomx bless your wee guy. What happened to his leg? That must have been hard.