Did your child thrive at nursery?

[ScarMatty]

DS is 2. He has always had me around as I've been a SAHM and most days we, pre virus, would go to some sort of baby or toddler class.

However, I'm increasingly notice that he is just a little rubbish with other children. Cannot cope if they want the same toys, want to different things etc.

I'm now looking at local nursery's thinking that if he attends maybe 1 full day or 2 half days a week it might help him and also bring on speech etc.

What were your experiences? Do you regret sending your children to nursery? Was it a great decision?

I was at SAHM, but we were lucky to have nursery a nearby that offered 3hr sessions (they appear to be quite common in military areas). DD1 attend from 16mo, DD2 from 21 months.

DD1 loved it from day 1. I'm not sure it 'brought her on' in the academic sense, but she did loads of different stuff.

DD2 learnt loads. She had a bit more of a rocky relationship (she hated handovers, both from me to them and then to me) but generally loved it.

It also gave me a chance to get stuff done and a bit of a rest when I was pregnant with DD2 (there's a year and a half between them).

Mine went to nursery even though they didn't need to for childcare. 1 day a week until free hours then 3days. It's so good for them. They do stuff I can't be bothered to do like painting and messy play. Great for social interaction and my DD made friends who then went on to school with.
Make sure you chose the right one when you go to look round and also look at how they structure free hours as my friend got stung still paying £30 a day on 'funded' days.

Thank you both for your responses.

The idea of being able to just get things done appeals to me because I hate leaving DS to play for 30 mins whilst I cook/clean/tidy etc and know that I could just smash everything out if he went to nursery.

Also currently TTC #2 so would be nice to get him settled somewhere as I know I would appreciate the time to myself if I am lucky enough to conceive and especially with a new baby

Thank you for noting to ask about the free hours. It hadn't even occurred to me to think about those because in my head they are a year away however it would be a shame to put him somewhere and then have to move him to it makes sense to choose somewhere that suits us free hours wise

Mine started at 2 and a half which was perfect for him. Like yours mine was slow to get used to other kids despite lots of socialising. He was highly strung and didn't like it when other kids snatched toys away (although he would happily do the same himself). Mine did 3 mornings a week at nursery I think much less and he wouldn't have settled down. Things didn't suddenly click into place but he definitely gradually developed social skills. I upped his nursery time in the year before reception which helped too.