Does ds, 2.5, need playgroup and nanny?

[BirdyArms]

I'm going back to work at the end of August and have 2 ds's, 2.5 and 6 mths. Previously ds1 was at a nursery 3 days and has continued whilst I've been on maternity leave and is really happy there. I am going to find a nanny for when I return to work this time. Have just heard that ds1 hasn't got a place at the church playgroup I was hoping he would go to half days. Question is will he be ok with just the nanny or should I try to find a playgroup?

I know that the nanny can take him to groups etc but my experience is that he doesn't socialise very much at one off groups, but loves playing with friends. Also can drive me round the bend and worried that he might drive the nanny nuts, although hopefully she will have more patience than I do. But difficult to find somewhere for him to go that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Please let me know what you think. Also would having ds1 at nursery half days make a big difference to how attractive the position is to potential nannies?

I think it depens very much on his personality. Is he happy at home, hanging out with you and the baby. Or do you think he's craving a bit more stimulation? You could always sign him up for something that he could go to like gymnastics, swimming, footy tots (thought he might be a bit young). If it's an ativity you pay for rather than a playgroup, you will probably find that he sees the same kids every time and might develop some bonds with little play mates.

Thanks Eleusis. I think he's pretty bored hanging out with me and the baby, maybe partly because I'm usually trying to do housework etc which a nanny wouldn't be so much. Will have with a look into groups I could sign him up for - I tend to go to drop-in type things and not very regularly so he doesn't know the other children. His friends at home are the children of my NCT group but am guessing that unfortunately they won't want to socialise so much with the nanny.

One of the benefits of having ananny is that you can choose what activities they go to. I usually sign them up for one or two activites in the week, and then leave the rest of the time for nanny to plan. That way she has plenty of oppotunity to meet up with other nannies/kidson a regular basis, but I still have some controlover the things I want them to learn/experience which I wouldn't have at a childminder or nursery.

My kids are 2 and 4, so similar age difference. DD goes to school M-F in the afternoon and then has ballet on Wednesdays. In September, when DD is in school in the mornings I plan to sign DS up for a local gymnastics class. We are getting a new nany in a couple of weeks (current one is leaving because her visa is expiring), and I also plan to sign them up for a swimming camp while she is here.

I suppose there is a bit more work involved in arranging activities. You could ask the nanny to do this for you. But, I like to have a hand in determining what my children do with at least some of their days.

My daughter is 2.7. I have signed her up for pre-school (école maternelle - we're in France) mornings only, Monday to Friday, starting in September.

IMO my daughter is more than ready for pre-school, little friends, more structured activities and I couldn't contemplate her just hanging out with me any more. But it depends on the child.

My girls are 5 and 3 and we have a nanny. Younger dd goes to a drop-off playgroup every morning between 9.30 and 12. She loves it. I dithered about it as it seemed a waste to have our nanny twiddling her thumbs for a couple of hours while dd was at playgroup, but I went for it in the end because I thought it would help dd prepare for her pre-school that she'll start this September, and also because I thought she'd really enjoy herself. She's made lots of friends, does unfeasible amounts of stickin'and gluein' as she calls it and our nanny uses the time to get on top of the girls' ironing and cooking and will go to the supermarket for us if asked. Luckily, it's also a v cheap playgroup, so if I want her to miss a day either for a rest or to do something else, I'm not too worried about wasting the money.

I'd say, go for it.