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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

What (if any) are the benefits of childcare for 2yo?

21 replies

Tired78 · 26/10/2018 19:46

I am a SAHM for the time being. I plan on returning to work when dd2 is 3YO and at this age she will be going to a pre prep nursery that is attached to the prep school my husband works at. my dd1 is at this nursery now and it is fantastic so I feel happy with this plan. I am also really looking forward to going to back work after being at home for 4years with the girls.

However my question is should I send her to a different nursery at 2.3yo to allow her to socialise / have different experiences? I am still going to be at home so she doesn’t have to go. I love having her at home so don’t feel like I need the break from her. I would love to hear the pros and cons of sending a little one that age to a nursery maybe 2 mornings a week? Or should I save my money and keep her at home? Thanks!

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BendingSpoons · 26/10/2018 19:51

You will probably get lots of responses telling you about the benefits of nursery, but personally I think there is no real benefit at 2 compared to being at home with an interested parent/caregiver. Research seems to suggest nursery modest increases in language skills but also in aggression, so it evens out. I would (and am - DD is 2.7 and not in nursery) save your money for now.

Original poster

Tired78 · 26/10/2018 20:57

Thanks BendingSpoons I tend to agree. I just have mum guilt that she’s missing out on something!! I try my best to fill her life with learning, fun and love but it’s hard to think of new things all the time!

OP posts:

KatnissMellark · 26/10/2018 20:58

Annandale · 26/10/2018 21:33

I can't think of a single benefit of sending a child to a different nursery, sorry. I think parents that need or want to use childcare should do it without a concern - my experience of childcare for ds was fantastic - but IMO there's very little benefit to nursery compared to a well-resourced and happy parent.

FruitCider · 26/10/2018 21:36

I think as long as your child has opportunity to socialise with children of a similar age there isn't really any benefit. Whilst I don't think it's detrimental, if there is nothing to gain from it and you don't need a break then why do it? X

Magair · 26/10/2018 22:58

DS2 is going to go to a little playgroup for 3 mornings a week from January, he will be 2.10. He goes to a childminder once a week whilst I work but has otherwise been at home with me.

His personality has changed quite a bit over the last 8 week or so.... he actively want to go to the CM, seeks out “friends”, wants to play with other kids. I feel he’s ready for a bit of time in the playgroup environment. If he hadn’t changed in this way I probably wouldn’t have bothered.

insancerre · 27/10/2018 06:48

I’m an early years professional and I don’t see any benefits for your plan
2 year olds need routine and consistency so sending her for just 2 mornings won’t give her that especially if it’s only for several weeks
If she has to go then that’s different, but if you have the choice then keep her at home till she needs to go
I am a big supporter of nursery for preschoolers, I think it’s so beneficial for them to attend before starting school, but 2 year olds have such different needs that are harder to meet in an early years setting, especially when they only attend for a couple of sessions a week

LyraLieIn · 27/10/2018 06:55

Think about ratios and how easy they will find it to settle her.

At our Preschool (2-3) they have small ratios and plenty of adults. In the same nursery class (3-4) there are 2 adults to 26 children. I always prefer to give my little ones their first taste of being away from me where there are plenty of people around to comfort them and look out for them, not throw them in to such a big class from scratch. But the ratios may be different elsewhere.

jannier · 28/10/2018 19:18

25 years in childcare and no I would keep at home providing you make opportunities to do messy play, go to groups so your LO learns to share, take turns etc. and your Lo has no developmental concerns which would be confirmed by a 2 year check.
Enjoy your LO while you can.

HSMMaCM · 29/10/2018 19:22

They're only little once. Spend some time with her, watching her learn and develop with you. You can see how she makes friends at parks, toddler groups, etc. You can read her stories and sing her songs. You can take her to see new places. If you think she'll find it hard at 3, why make her do it when she's 2?

socksortights · 29/10/2018 19:56

Wow I wish I had not read this thread. My dd is in nursery 3.5 days a week so I can work full time (1.5 days with my mum)

I feel like the worst mum in the world now

Queenofthedrivensnow · 29/10/2018 19:57

Do t do it. I wouldn't given the choice. Make sure she has lots of play dates and social stuff though

Neolara · 29/10/2018 20:00

I think there may be a benefit if it makes the main carer happier or allows them to work so there aren't financial pressures. Other than that, I don't think there are any advantages.

thinkingcapon · 29/10/2018 20:05

I'm so surprised to read that most of you don't think there are many benefits of Nursery at 2......! I think the list is endless!

HSMMaCM · 29/10/2018 20:06

Soclsortights don't feel bad. You're working and you've found the best solution for your child. I'm just saying if you don't need to, then you don't have to. DH and I worked all through DD's childhood and she still likes us.

MarshaBradyo · 29/10/2018 20:09

Save the money
3 is a good age to start
2 is fine at home if you enjoy it and can

Welshmum16 · 30/10/2018 07:27

My boys in a childcare setting 3 days a week so I can work and loves it, it provides him so much I or family would struggle with, he also started a new setting in sept for 2.5hrs 1 morning a week, this is on a setting that's connected to the school I want him to go to. He has settled well and is socialising more, some faces are similar from his childcare setting.

They do a lot of messy play which I struggle to at home.

I am also 9 months pregnant so it's also giving me that slight break and he'll continue going to both while I'm off work.

The day he is home we also do swimming lessons so it's a busy week. As long as he enjoys it I'm happy to keep sending him, he has made many friends already

Frazzled2207 · 30/10/2018 07:41

At the age of 2, not many advantages IMO as long as they are doing plenty of stuff with other children and you go to some groups etc where they get to do stuff (eg music, arty stuff) that you wouldn't do at home. Once closer to 3 however I think socialisation with other children as well as a certain routine, listening to instructors from others etc is more important, in preparation for school at 4 in most cases.

anniehm · 30/10/2018 07:58

At 2 I took them to toddler group and stay n play type things rather than nursery. As long as you give them lots of experiences, they don't need to attend without you

ree348 · 30/10/2018 11:58

I take my child to the children's centre or our local library where they have sessions for children. She's 2.4 years.

This way she gets the feel of being in a nursery and have the social aspect of it before i put her in when she is 3.

Otherwise putting her in nursery before this age I see as pointless unless i really had too.

thinkingcapon · 30/10/2018 12:31

For those who can afford Nursery don't you want any you time?!?!

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