Should DS go to nursery just because it is free?

[MarkStretch]

DS had his 2 year check this week and the HV advised me I should be putting his name down for nurseries in the area for when he reaches 3yrs old and gets his free 15 hours a week.

At the moment we don't use any childcare, DH works shifts and I am a relief worker so I work when DH is at home.

I have rung around nurseries and preschools in our area this morning and all of them either have lengthy waiting lists or are totally full and are not even accepting people on to their waiting lists.

So considering I don't need it for childcare, would it be terrible if he didn't actually go? It seems the emphasis is use it because it is free.

We go to toddler groups, I meet up with 3 friends who also have 2 yr olds every week for lunch and so the children can play, we go swimming every week, etc. He has 2 older sisters (8 & 9) so has plenty of interaction with other children. Would it be so bad if he didn't go?!

I would put his name down and try and get him in when he's a bit older for the year before he starts school. It's not just about socialising, it's also getting used to not being with you and to a structured timetable for things so he is ready for school. But, that said is wouldn't be bad if he didn't go, but he would miss out on some good things iyswim

There are numerous benefits from preschool (that's why the places are given away free), including both social and cognitive development. It would be a shame for DS to miss out on these, and it might make starting school more scary for him. I'd make the effort to put his name down on the lists, but it won't be the end of the world if he doesn't get it.

yes. nurseries are very important in getting your child ready for school and structured learning environments. otherwise it will be a signficant and potentially traumatic step for him when he starts school.

I work in childcare and in my opinion children are better off at home with mum as long as they are in a loving relationship and being active.

There is definitely a benefit to spending some time in nursery for a few months before he starts school because in an Early Years setting the staff ratios are better and he'll get more help to learn the skills he needs to cope in the school environment. These are things like waiting in lines, putting your hand up to speak, sharing, talking in front of others and other things which will help him cope as part of a large group.

There are children who benefit greatly from attending Early Years settings and they are the ones who do not have a socially interactive and supportive learning environment at home. By socially interactive I mean being around people who will talk to him, not necessarily children.

If you want him to be at home with you then you are best following your instincts.

My DD2 is currently at a private nursery full-time, but from September she'll be doing 2 sessions a week at our local pre-school. I'm doing this for a few reasons, but mainly so she'll get to know children who will be in her reception class. It really helped when DD1 got nervous about starting Big School that I could reassure her that Jane, Ben, Mike, Susan and her other friends would be there with her.

Plus all the other things other posters have mentioned.

A couple of sessions a week in pre-school is great, particularly in the year before they start school, because it teaches them a lot about mixing with other children, fitting in with group routines etc.

If I were you, I'd put him down on a few waiting lists and then make a decision if and when you get offered a place. By the time your DS is nearly 4, you may well find that both he and you are ready for some outside interraction.

I agree with everyone else :)

Definitely get his name down at a few.

I had reservations about putting DD in pre-school as I am a SAHM so don't need childcare (although I realise that pre-school is not childcare!), have a 1 year old who still sleeps lots during the day so I have his routine to work around, and I have to drive to my nearest pre-school who accept the government vouchers. I also just love having her at home with me. We have such a lovely time! I finally settled on one long day where she has lunch there and a morning of 2.5 hours. She also goes to the local playgroup which I have to pay £9 for 4 hours so that she will meet some of the children who will start school the same time as her. It adds up to about 12 hours a week and is a good compromise for us, although I think she would like to go more as she really enjoys the interaction and just loves having her lunch with her friends!

My view changed when I went to go and visit a couple of pre-schools and saw how happy the children were. Also I think that it will help when she starts school as other than going to pre-school/playgroup she is always with DH or me, so it might be more of a shock not being with us for such a length of time.

I totally understand where you are coming from so why not go and have a look round a couple and see if you like the looks of them. It might help you to make a decision.

I think its really nice if he can have some time at pre-school ideally one where there will be children who he will be going to school with - it means starting school is easier as people said above - and they do enjoy it!
does your school have a nursery attached that might be easier as I gueuss you are doing school drops off anyway

It doesn't sound like it would be a problem for him not to go, as he has a healthy social life and you are obviously switched on to his needs. Its a shame to send them into something just to get them used to school at some point in the future! There is nothing to stop you putting his name down and then reviewing the situation when the time comes, but defintely dont put him into nursery just because its free.

It'll do no harm to have a look round, and put his name down where you can. You don't need to accept a place if you get one.

IMHO a GOOD nursery can do wonders for a child. I can't believe the progress DD has made at the Community Playgroup! But the emphasis is on the good - no point sending him to one you are not happy with. It's not a legal requirement and you know your DS best!

It sounds like you have his socialising sorted anyway, but I think it's worth putting his name down anyway as you may change your mind in the future - DD didn't start Playgroup until September but she was desperate to start before then, so she started at a private one in June just before turning 3. She goes to both now.

i think you should send him, just because its free doesnt mean its worth less!

"nurseries are very important in getting your child ready for school and structured learning environments"

But what will get him ready for nursery? Why does a child need to be ready for school? I thought YR was about getting them all ready for that, with the actual sitting down and learning starting in Y1?
Will there be a pre-nursery in 5 years time that 2yos are expected to attend "to get them ready for nursery"?

I have 4 children and believed all the socialising stuff with the first three, my 4ht DS will not go to preschool even if it comes with a free spa day for me for every session. Still do everything they do at nursery and will learn to take turns etc but under the loving guidance of his mother not somebody being paid to do the job, who is not on his side with his interests at heart.
I disagree it gets them used to anything what it generally does it upsets them until they learn to conform, that's a lesson I'm happy to leave as long as possible personally.

I have mixed feelings about this. It makes starting school a bit easier, but only because they go through some of the trauma at an earlier age. I don't think (personally) there is much to choose between nursery to prepare for school and home to prepare for school. Look at your child as an individual and decide what is best.