What should I expect at Nursery for 2y8m ds?

[user1499169579]

So, it's settling in week at nursery, and it's not how I imagined.
I need some reassurance or support

I've chosen a popular state nursery, part of a children's centre. There are lots of others nearby, but this is popular with other middle class parents in the area and is very local to me. So I thought it a safe bet.
It has a lovely outside area, with wild areas, sandpits, outdoor indoor space, vegetable gardens etc
I've enjoyed the free stay and play sessions
There's forest school sessions
The food provided looks good.

But.
My tall, chatty, strong, questioning, son turns out to be the oldest in his room by 5months. He's in the 2-3yo room. But only one other is over 2 1/2
Few of the others can express them selves with clear sentences and are at least a head shorter than him.
He'll only move up to the 3-4 yo room if there is space.

Ive been there for two days and observed that whilst the staff set up activities they don't direct or encourage or facilitate the use of these.
I was hoping that during the coming months my ds would be encouraged to paint, draw, build, construct etc, to help him focus on activities and develop his interests.
But all the other children (who all started 4 wks ago) just roam around the outside space, they don't dig/build anything in the sandpit, or use the big building blocks etc, they pick something up and drop it, but mostly they seem to try to take things off each other.

the staff ( 2/3 for 10/13 kids) whilst lovely seem to do little except blow noses and stop the kids hitting each other.

I've no issues with the snack, lunch, nappy/potty routines, but imagined they would guide the kids towards activities etc as well.

Am I naive?
Am I being precious?
or am I right to expect more at this age?

I'd appreciate your experiences
Thank you

How long are you spending in nursery with him? Are you sure that what you're observing is the normal routine?

The nursery we used typically had a routine where they had guided activities for some periods, and free play for other periods.

Early years settings are supposed to allow lots of free play and child-led activities, especially in a toddler room. If the other children have only been there a few weeks, they will still be settling in and getting used to the rules and routines. The ratio for staff in a 2's room is 1:4 so that sounds right. Not much they can do about there being no space in the older room yet but they should plan activities according to each individual child's abilities so it shouldn't be an issue. I'd give it a good few weeks longer and wait for feedback on what he's been doing or ask to see his learning journal if they do them.

Maybe I'm anxious because I've been struggling for the past few months and am keen to have a few days to work and be an adult, but don't want my ds to just be in a holding pen.

We've done 2 days with me in the space with ds, tomorrow I'll be hidden in a staff room.

Plan b is tricky, so I really want this to be a good choice. Will wait and see.

The staff should be able to provide you with evidence of the activities your DS is doing and how the activities demonstrate his development and learning.

In the nurseries I've used the 3-4 year olds' room is very much a "pre-school" area - with focus on preparing the older children for starting school. Perhaps the nursery feel your DS is better of being the oldest child where he can feel socially secure and confident (big fish in a little pool) instead of being significantly the youngest among children who are much more advanced (and there are huge differences between a 2 and a 4 year old).