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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to send my 1 year 10 month old DD to a nursery with a uniform???

42 replies

mylittlescarypumpkin · 19/10/2008 13:19

We are changing from a childminder (that has suited us well til now) to a nursery. I'm happy with that decision.

But AIBU to be completely turned off somewhere where the children from birth to four have to wear the polo neck and sweatshirt from the nursery?

OP posts:
WhereWolfTheWildThingsWere · 19/10/2008 13:21

The good thing with wearing a uniform is when dd get covered in paint etc her nice clothes will not get ruined.

LynetteScavo · 19/10/2008 13:23

I've never known a nursery where children have to!

I choose to put my 3yo in a nursery sweatshirt because it stops her nice once getting ruined.

YANBU - It sounds like this might not be the best nursery for your family. Is it a very large nursery?

StewieGriffinsMom · 19/10/2008 13:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
mylittlescarypumpkin · 19/10/2008 13:26

Good point about the mess. Though, she makes plenty of mess at home, too

I wondered if I was being judgemental. Maybe I am, but maybe that's ok.

OP posts:
WhereWolfTheWildThingsWere · 19/10/2008 13:28

They are also messy at home, but much better policed imo! You tend to be much more careful with aprons and sleeve rolling etc, than they will be at the nursery.

uptomyeyes · 19/10/2008 13:36

I don't like seeing very little children in uniforms either. When the DS's went to nursery we had to purchase (for £20 !!!) a regulation school nursery overall. The child could choose from 4 different clours and they had their name (and anything else they wanted) embroidered onto it. The overall went on first thing in the morning for messy play, but came off for playtime and quiet time etc. It did the trick in terms of keeping their clothes reasonably clean and also meant they could go to nursery dressed as Buzz lightyear if they really fancied it

melpomene · 19/10/2008 13:47

It would put me off. I just can't see the point in tiny babies having to wear a uniform. And parents of 2/3/4 yos will be well aware that they're likely to get their clothes messy, and can ensure children wear clothes that don't matter too much if they get messy.

And the uniform is likely to be expensive, especially for little babies who will need a new one after 3 months! (and possibly several changes if their clothes get soiled during the day).

It sounds like the policy is based on a misguided concept of discipline / community ethos, rather than any real concern about clothes getting messy.

Reallytired · 19/10/2008 14:01

I detest uniform on pre schoolers with a passion, yet alone babies. Surely you can find another nursery which is a bit more relaxed. Its partly why I rejected the state nursery.

When they start school they have 10 years of wearing school uniform. Why start at 3 years old, yet alone babyhood.

Original poster
mylittlescarypumpkin · 19/10/2008 14:15

Am planning to use a different one. But then I wondered, is it really that important? Certainly looking for alternative vacancies, and she'll just have to have some very painty clothes!

OP posts:
nickytwoooohtimes · 19/10/2008 14:16

That does seem bloody pointless. Yanbu

madness · 19/10/2008 14:24

Not more ridiculous than my dd 5 y old having to wear uniforms (well, she usually refuses and goes to school wearing something pink)

nickytwoooohtimes · 19/10/2008 14:26

School is different though. More structured. ALso a 5 yr old is rather different to a 1.10 yr old.

Reallytired · 19/10/2008 14:28

School uniform is useful, it hides the difference between the haves and the have nots. Ie. no kid wears designer labels. At five years old children will bully each other over anything. At least the way you dress is not one of them.

But a one year old is pretty clueless and should be allowed to wear anything.

platypussy · 19/10/2008 14:31

Uniform from birth? Are you sure? Never heard of this before.

madness · 19/10/2008 14:47

ha-ha-ha, can't thing of anything more to write, these endless discussions

pudding25 · 21/10/2008 12:58

mylittlescarypumpkin what nursery is it? I have dd's name down for one (she will be 10.5mths when she goes) and the kids wear uniform (t-shirt and jogging pants) from about 2. Think it is a bit ridiculous but it is a great nursery and right next to the school I teach in,

Dottoressa · 21/10/2008 13:03

Oh, they're cute!

My DD's nursery school (which takes them from two) has a full uniform including regulation tights. It is gorgeous!!

MrsMattie · 21/10/2008 13:05

I'd see it as a blessing (as long as its not those ridiculous OTT pre-prep uniforms with hats and all sorts of foolishness - horrid). A sweathsirt and tee-shirt sounds fine. You can buy a couple of each and wash/wear on rotation. So much easier than having to sort out different outfits for each day.

Dottoressa · 21/10/2008 15:59

MrsM - but they're the ones I love!

My DD is leaving her nursery school soon, and my main regret is that she won't get to wear a boater at her prep school.

Dottoressa · 21/10/2008 16:00

(I should add that a boater is part of her nursery school uniform...)

AbbeyA · 21/10/2008 16:15

Wear a boater!!! I hate little tots dressed in outdated uniforms! I would choose a different nursery.

ADragonIs4LifeNotJustHalloween · 21/10/2008 16:18

DSs looked gorgeous in their nursery sweatshirt & polo shirt.

If you're not happy though then it's not right for you.

MrsMattie · 21/10/2008 16:19

But they're not comfy or practical...they're horrible! I feel sorry for the kids who have to wear them, to be honest! . And the little girls who have to wear dresses/skirts. So 1950s. But then, the ethos of a lot of these places is probably really different to what I value, I would guess (left wing state-school supporter emoticon )

snickersnack · 21/10/2008 16:27

From birth? Sounds odd. Am envisaging regulation babygros.

But dd's nursery had regulation sweatshirt and polo shirt from 2 onwards. Very sensible. No tantrums about what to wear. No worries about clothes getting trashed. All very hassle free.

Her preschool has no uniform, but they do have a regulation smock with their name embroidered on. Again, very sensible. Means clothes come home in the state that they left the house.

AbbeyA · 21/10/2008 16:32

I am trying to imagine a baby in a uniform!I don't see why a DC needs it under school age. Once they start school it should be comfortable and practical. I can't see any reason why a 4 yr old needs a tie and blazer. They certainly don't need a hat-unless it is woollen and winter.