Please tell me about your GOOD experiences with having DC in nursery

[53rdAndBird]

I need your good and happy stories about having a toddler at nursery, please.

My pfb is starting nursery soon. She'll be going 4 days a week, 10-4ish, and she'll be 17 months old. Up until now work situations have meant she's always been with one of us or a grandmother but soon this won't be possible any more.

Am about as confident as can be we've chosen the right nursery - we looked round quite a few, and got a great feeling from this place. (Still dithering a bit though because there was another one we loved just as much, but it would have been a lot further to travel to.)

But I am worried and starting to work myself up into an irrational nervous frothing mess over it. I am trying to prepare myself for settling in, and I know she's going to cry and it's going to be horrible, and I keep reading horror stories of ignored kids left sobbing in corners for hours, kids coming home with awful injuries, etc etc. What if she hates it? What if they lose her at the park or something? What if she won't eat and won't nap ever? What if it only looks nice on the surface but underneath it's run by Cruella de Vil?

So I would really like some happy stories instead, please. If you have DC who are/were in nursery and liked it, please tell me about how they were happy and had fun and were looked after well!

My DTs have been at the same nursery for 3 days a week since they were 8 months old. I have never had a problem there (even when one of them fell down an entire flight of stairs it was in no way the nurseries fault - I was there!) and the staff have always listened to what I wanted and have accommodated us. I'll be honest and say that the dts, even though they have been there for three years, still have days when they cry at drop off time and other days they just waltz straight in without a backward glance. Some days they eat, some days not so much - just like at home. They get bumps and bruises but I'm always told about them and sometimes they fall asleep outside under the slide
Just see how it goes with your dd and take each day at a time, it's going to be a big adjustment for both of you so don't be afraid to speak up if you feel something isn't right.

My dc has been going to nursery full time since i returned to work at 12 months. I am happy with the nursery. My dc is happy, has learned a lot and gets along great with the other kids. I have not heard those horror stories.

DD started at just turned 2 and was there till she was 4 3/4. Initially she did 2 days, at 3 she dud 3 dats, 8-6.

It was great, she settled in really well, having just been with me for 2 years, we rarely had tears at drop off and if there was she'd be cuddled and comforted by one if the lovely staff. She still gets excited when she sees one if the nursery staff in the street. She really grew in confidence and was very well prepared for school. The nursery was rated outstanding during her time there.

Love DS's nursery. They're always there with cuddles. Get more and better food into him than I do at home. They care about his development and always make caring and astute observations. He's more confident and outgoing and gets much more stimulated than he is on most of his days with me (French lessons for under twos!!!). I adore his nursery and am really pleased he goes. Plus it gives me time and space which means I value time with him even more. Settling in was awful and I worried so much but after a few weeks it just clicked.

Good luck!!

DD went to nursery from 3 months old till she went school 5 days a week. She never cried when I left her, but she never wanted to come home ( she was usually one of the first each day). There were lots of cuddles.
At 11 she is still incredibly close to two other girls who were full time too despite having been at different primary schools.
We often see nursery nurses who looked after her, the nursery had very low staff turnover and the majority of the staff were the same for the whole 4 years. The staff are always pleased to see her and her them.

My two have both been through the same nursery - youngest is leaving on Wednesday (sob!). Both have made wonderful friends and genuinely loved their key workers. Sure, there were sometimes tears, but the overall experience has been just lovely. Btw - going 4 days is good - other kids will know yours is usually in and will pick your DC as a friend.

My DD started going at 10 months. She only goes one day a week, but would be happier with more I think. She lives the staff, gets to do different crafts, activities and outdoor things. She generally walks in now (nearly 2) without a backward glance. She didn't even cry on her first day.

I was convinced she would never nap because she was so hard to get to sleep at the time (and was BF to sleep a lot), but they are magic and have their ways. They even get her to sleep on a mat which amazes me.

I went with a small nursery with a good vibe and Ofsted report. Listen to your gut.

DS (also PFB) is almost 16 months and has been in nursery since 11 months, building up from 2 mornings a week to 4 full days (8-5.30 ish - I went back to work when he was 12 months). I had a big wobble to start with as he howled his way through the first few weeks (coincided with separation anxiety peak, so you may not get this). But now he seems very happy there - never cries on drop off and looks pleased to see me but not desperately relieved when I come and get him at the end of the day.

He didn't eat much for the first few weeks but now eats and sleeps there better than at home - I think he knows that there are no choices on offer, and the nursery staff are not going to cave in and feed him to sleep or top him up after lunch as I might at home if he screams loud enough!

The staff seem very aware of what he's doing - his diary has meticulous detail of each day - and the two minor accidents he has had I've been phoned straight away and they've gone through a detailed accident report later that day with me. They don't seem to go out to the park so I don't have to worry about him getting lost there - that's a slight downside in that he does spend so much time in one or two rooms, and a tiny yard, but we are lucky enough to have a big garden so I figure that doesn't matter that much.

I think DS likes it as the nursery is set up to be safe... at home I'm constantly stopping him playing with the breadknife, pulling the lamp over, climbing on the table etc. - I guess at nursery he gets told 'no' a lot less!

Hope your DD settles well.

One of the things I appreciate now mine are both at school is there are no school holidays to worry about. And when you are ill, DC can be off having fun while you crawl back to bed.

DS went to a childminder from 3 months to 6 months then went to nursery, first two days a week, now three days a week and will be increasing to 4 days a week in Sept - he's 3.4.

It has done him the absolute world of good. He loves other children, gets to do very messy play that I am reluctant to do at home (I would do it if he didn't go but there's not really much need when he's up to his armpits in paint at nursery most days).

He's formed friendships. Nursery helped with his potty training. It's been reassuring to have the nursery staff to talk to about progression and milestones and any worries (I worry about his speech for example). They will help prepare him for school.

He LOVES going. If I say we're going to nursery he literally cheers and can't wait to get in the car. I have nothing but good things to say about it.

Ds went full time to nursery from 12 weeks old, dd from 17 weeks. They both loved it and were always happy to go. Nursery was also after school club, so ds has spent all his school life there until 5.30 or 6pm. He has just left year 6 with level 5 and 6 SATS while I have been a full time worker. I believe I have happy well adjusted dc and I'm a happy mum and cannot criticise nurseries. I hope you have an excellent experience too.

Oh thank you all! This is so good to hear

My DS has been at nursery full time since he was 11 months and now has only 3 more weeks before he heads off to school. He's blossomed and developed so well under their care. I was certain that the nursery setting was the best choice for us and I've had that confirmed completely. My DS 2 will be starting there at 8 months and the only guilt I have is that dS1 got to have longer at home with me!

My first started at 11 months, she is a sensitive soul. Her key-worker was fantastic, she would take the mattress out of the cot and lie on the floor with her patting her to sleep during her lunch break.

My second went at 8 months and settled the first day. She smiled the first day I dropped her off full time.

Both my girls love nursery and call it 'Aunties House'. They are two and three now and I have trouble getting them out of the car as they are excited to go in.

They also eat all their vegetables and healthy snacks which they refuse at home. I love their nursery and know that they are genuinely adored by their carers.

They also have made friends with children who they will eventually go to school with and get a lot of outside and messy play.

I had my doubts and thought about a nanny with my first but I'm so glad I chose nursery, they are outgoing, friendly and confident and I think nursery has helped to promote this. Especially with DD1 who was a very clingy baby.

My 2. 5 yr old boy goes to nursery 3 full days. He loves it, he loves his little friends and comes home receiting books I've never read. It will be fine

My two DDs love their nursery. They are well cared for and both are really happy there. The staff pay them individual attention and my eldest DD is starting school in September able to write her name and several other words, and is reading in sentences. (Not a stealth boast, I credit the nursery with all that she has achieved).

They get to do things that they wouldn't at home with me or another relative and they learn to interact with other children.
I hope your DD settles in quickly and that you get used to it quickly too. I found it hard to send my pfb to nursery (and the second child too) but they were absolutely fine. A good nursery won't mind you ringing to check up whenever you need to (to be told your DD is happily painting or playing outside or dressing up or sleeping!).

DD has been at nursery since 10mo, she is now 26mo. I think we have had tears and clinging at drop off about 10 times total, usually because she isn't 100%.

She comes home exhausted, covered in mystery stains, the handover will say "she has had fun in the book corner" yet her top is a totally different colour and has little friends that she runs around with. Her learning journal is full of photos of what they've been doing, I really enjoy looking at it at parents evening.

She eats meals I wouldn't dream of cooking, like curry, Caribbean type meals, and demolishes the lot.

And from our point of view, it's so helpful to have a backup! When I had DD2 we went back into hospital unexpectedly. DH took DD to nursery and asked if they could keep her all day - they didn't even blink, said not to worry, they would sort something out. I know we pay for it but it is so nice to know we don't have to worry about her.

The nursery mu youngest attends is fantastic! The staff are so friendly and caring and always ensure everyone is included and involved in such an amazing variety of games and activities.

My daughter has learnt how to socialise and make friends before starting school and has a wonderful confidence in her self. The nursery has offered such a range of activities from the mud kitchen to forest school and arts and crafts that she is very adventurous and is full of imagination.

I would not change it for the world and recommend finding a nursery that you are happy with. i'm looking forward to my 2nd arriving and having the same experiences when they start!

My girls went to a nursery from about 5 months until school age. The loved it and were well looked after and nurtured. I miss it :-(

My DD LOVES nursery.... You can just see it on her face. She is 17months

My DS is 18 months and adores nursery. He does a very cute excited squeal when we arrive and I have to chase him at the end of the day to make him come home, I'm sure he'd sleep there if he could.

My kids are 11 and 7, and still talk about their days at nursery. It was such an important time in their lives and it was so good for them. Our nursery wasn't the flashiest, but it was run by people who really put the kids first. They both went from 11 months until they started school.
Good luck, it's all part of growing up and becoming their own person.