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Original poster

Nursery Age - Your opinions please

45 replies

NickaDad · 05/10/2013 13:35

Hello all,

I'll be quick.

At what age do you think my toddler should start nursery, if at all?

She is a sociable little sweetheart and is almost 2. She has been with a nanny for more than 6 months. The nanny lives in. The babe is bonded with the nanny. The nanny is unfortunately void of intelligence, "get-up-and-go" and imagination.

Please, your thoughts, however brief.

Many many thanks, Nick

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Original poster
NickaDad · 05/10/2013 13:39

(just to add, we both work full time and, say, the particular nursery can be any number of days or hours per day and is small and very nice)

OP posts:
ChippingInNeedsSleepAndCoffee · 05/10/2013 13:42

So, you really like your nanny then :)

Hmm
Oceansurf · 05/10/2013 13:43

My 11 month old baby has been in nursery since she was 9 months and she absolutely loves it! When I collect her, she's often sat there babbling away with the other babies, and she does so much art/playing with water/sand etc it's fab for her development.

I know some ppl are v anti nursery for babies, but this nursery is amazing. It really is home from home. 3 key women who work in the baby room and I trust all 3 of them with my baby. Indeed, one of them babysits for us as well.

I think it's very important for toddlers to be playing and mixing with other toddlers.

Original poster
NickaDad · 05/10/2013 13:53

The nursery, if desirable at all in these circumstances, would be for a number of mornings a week.

(I really should use the preview button!)

OP posts:
Original poster
NickaDad · 05/10/2013 14:21

@ ChippingInNeedsSleepAndCoffee

Not really, but the babe is bonded, which is important

OP posts:
Oceansurf · 05/10/2013 14:25

So she has a good 'friend' but she isn't getting taught anything?

What's the point then? Hmm

Victoria2002 · 05/10/2013 14:59

The nanny is unfortunately void of intelligence,
So how do you feel about her ability to screen "tradesmen" who knock at your door, cope if there was a fire downstairs while they were upstairs and spot the first signs of meningitis etc?!
In answer to your question, as a nanny and a mother I think kids are sent to nursery too much & too early these days, and there is no need until the year before they start full time school. At that stage it's valuable to help get them "school-ready". That is assuming they do varied trips and activities, visiting playgroups and friends houses to learn sharing and waiting your turn etc. If you decide nursery may be right for you then ask to do some settling in sessions before you commit, then you can see if she likes it. As you'll need to pay your nanny fully anyway (I assume as you both work and are looking at p/t nursery), maybe you can just help your put together a timetable of classes and activities to do with your daughter?

neolara · 05/10/2013 15:00

At 3.

OutragedFromLeeds · 05/10/2013 15:45

I wouldn't put a child in full day nursery ever tbh. Even at 5 9am-3pm is enough, 8-6 is too long.

I think 9-12 or similar is ok from 2+ depending on the child. I don't think its necessary though. A good nanny is better than a nursery until at least 3 imo.

If you don't have a good nanny then a few hours of pre-school would probably be a good thing, but I might just get a new nanny!

WidowWadman · 05/10/2013 15:50

Mine have started at 9 months, normally 8-6 (sometimes minus half hour depending on traffic) and I have no regrets. I'd always prefer a group setting over a nanny or childminder.

ChippingInNeedsSleepAndCoffee · 05/10/2013 16:23

Why did you employ someone lacking in intelligence, 'get up & go' and imagination?

What exactly has the woman done to make you describe her so scathingly?

Cindy34 · 05/10/2013 19:13

Couple of mornings a week from the age of around 2 and a half. They need to be big enough to stand up to other children and be confident enough to leave whomever is dropping them off at nursery.

Contact local pre-schools and see what age they take children from, some may not accept them until nearly age 3, some may accept once aged 3.

I would avoid big all day nurseries. Small community pre-school is probably a good choice as then your daughter is meeting other children in the local community who may also only be attending a few sessions per week and thus your daughter can meet up with friends they make at pre-school on days that they do not attend.

ringaringarosy · 05/10/2013 19:23

It depends on so many different things,in your situation i dont think she would be missing out on much if she went a few mornings a week.

Mine didnt go at all,but i had 3 very close together so they had each other to play with,plus im a sahm and i took them to farms,parks libraries when i could.

grabaspoon · 05/10/2013 19:32

The nanny is unfortunately void of intelligence, "get-up-and-go" and imagination.

Will you tell her that in her appraisal? Why exactly did you hire her?

ChasedByBees · 05/10/2013 19:40

My DD is nearly two and has been going to nursery two days a week since she was one. She loves it and teaches us songs she's learnt and brings home paintings and things from easy play that we really don't do at home.

If she's bonded with your nanny though, isn't she better with them? (Despite his/her lack of intelligence, get up and go and imagination of course... Hmm

IrisWildthyme · 05/10/2013 19:51

We used nursery very happily from 12 months.

I wouldn't have left a child for so much as a single day with someone void of intelligence, "get-up-and-go" and imagination and our nursery was full of lovely staff who each had at least 2 out of the 3!

If your baby is bonded with the nanny, then separating them is going to be painful whenever it happens. You aren't going to make it less painful by postponing it. If she's not the right kind of childcare for your child then making a change sooner rather than later is surely for the best.

ReetPetit · 05/10/2013 21:35

2.5yrs is fine for short days - either 5 half sessions or 2-3 school days max - would never put my child in childcare for 8-6 5 days a week as some people do.

Original poster
NickaDad · 05/10/2013 23:25

I appreciate all comments, I can't say I agree with you all but for the sake neutrality, I am keeping my opinions, theories etc silent - for now!

Love you all - more please !

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Original poster
NickaDad · 05/10/2013 23:26

@ grabaspoon - wasn't my decision :(

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breatheslowly · 05/10/2013 23:32

My DD has been at nursery since she was 6 months and loves it. She has thrived as a result of the imaginative activities and social opportunities. However I think it depends on the nursery - my DD's nursery is excellent.

Victoria2002 · 06/10/2013 09:17

I gotta add that I am one of several nannies I know that worked in daycare and walked away from it saying "I NEVER want any child of mine to go to daycare"! I do appreciate that a few mornings a week at a nursery school is quite different though.

jasminerose · 06/10/2013 09:18

I think nursery is fine at any age.

OutragedFromLeeds · 06/10/2013 13:51

Me too Victoria, most of the nannies I know started in nurseries and none of them would send their child to one, me included.

ChippingInNeedsSleepAndCoffee · 06/10/2013 13:58

OH gosh, well, we'll all just wait with baited breath then

Hmm

Your child = your decision. If you chose to opt out of that, you only have yourself to blame.

TeamSouthfields · 06/10/2013 14:40

think she sud maybe go mornings, afew times a week

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