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Nurseries

Find nursery advice from other Mumsnetters on our Nursery forum. For more guidance on early years development, sign up for Mumsnet Ages & Stages emails.

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Original poster

Three-year old given homework by his nursery - is this normal?

17 replies

mm22bys · 16/05/2007 14:59

Hi, my DS who has just turned three has just been moved up to the "year 3" room in his nursery that he's been going to for nearly a year. He goes 2.5 days a week. When I picked him up yesterday his key worker told me that he had some "homework" that he would have to do by each Thursday.

It's things like tracing numbers, drawing faces, and he's also been given a book (Peter Rabbit) to read.

We've been reading to him since he was a few months old, but Peter Rabbit looks WAY too advanced for him at this stage.

I know some schools don't believe in homework for even alot older kids, but has anybody's else's 3 year old been given homework? Is it the norm?

Thx

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Ceolas · 16/05/2007 15:01

Homework at nursery?

No, never. I wouldn't support it.

Surely they don't expect him to read Peter Rabbit?

HuwEdwards · 16/05/2007 15:03

I would refuse and object strongly. They're just pandering to the parents of pfbs who think that this kind of twaddle as such a tender age, will make their kid a genius.

Wotzsaname · 16/05/2007 15:03

Probably some other mum has gone in and asked for her dcs to have it!

No don't do it.

hebetalbot · 16/05/2007 15:05

OMG I am .

DD traces around numbers and her name - but all done at nursery. I would seriously question it. They have years of homework ahead of them when they start school. IMV they are way too young at 3.

happystory · 16/05/2007 15:08

Absolutely ridiculous! Children LEARN THROUGH PLAY (I am sick of saying it!!!) and there is no no no merit in giving children ANYTHING to do at home from nursery. He should be coming home and being 3! I would put them on the spot and ask for their explanation about this stupid idea then tell them no way.

Is this in the UK?

speedymama · 16/05/2007 15:08

My DTS started getting homework at their nursery when they turned 3yo. They do thinks like colouring, joining dots, tracing etc. We give them worksheets to do and after 5 minutes they are bored and move onto something else. DH and I sit with them, show them what to do, let them do as much as they want and that is it. We praise them for their efforts and give the worksheets (usually incomplete) back to the nursery. The silly thing about all of this, is that we receive no feedback unless we ask! What is the point?

speedymama · 16/05/2007 15:09

The manager said that some parents felt that their darling were not learning enough.

Anal parents have a lot to answer for.

happystory · 16/05/2007 15:09

And Ofsted and Early Years experts hate worksheets with a passion, and for once they are right!!!!

nailpolish · 16/05/2007 15:12

my dd loves tracing numbers and drawing faces
certainly it shouldnt be compulsory

Wotzsaname · 16/05/2007 15:43

Maybe on the positive side, if they are giving it out as optional homework, your ds won't be expected to do it in nursery and will be learning through play instead.

coppertop · 16/05/2007 15:52

Homework at 3? Madness IMHO.

nurseryvoice · 16/05/2007 18:13

as a previous poster said, Ofsted and the Early Years Teams hate homework and worksheets, having said that our local LEA Nursery School regularly gives out homework and worksheets and got an Outstanding in their Ofsted report.

we have optional projects the children can do at home with parents eg make a garden make an easter bonnet.

dilbertina · 17/05/2007 08:51

Don't like the worksheet thing, but my 3yo DD is allowed to choose a book to bring home from nursery each week, and I think that's quite nice - she has a million books at home but anything that helps encourage a love of books is fine by me. - neither she nor I have to answer questions on it when we take it back!
However I was a little surprised to receive a "homework sheet" for my 7month old...it was just asking parents to do things like make faces and see if the baby mimics, look in mirrors with them etc (and there I was planning to shut him in a darkened room and ignore him when he wasn't at nursery!) Maybe some parents do like "ideas" like this but I find it OTT. I guess you always have the choice of doing what I did and ignore it!

amidaiwish · 17/05/2007 09:00

the only "homework" my dcs get from nursery (3.2 and 19m) is "make an easter bonnet" "wear red and white tomorrow" "dress in the theme of gardens on tuesday" blah blah.. all homework for mummy imo! like i need it.

Original poster

mm22bys · 17/05/2007 16:32

This was in the UK.

Well I sat down with him last night till he was bored of it, all of two minutes.

He does already have a million and one books at home too.

Thx for your feedback, when I have a chance I'll ask the carer the purpose of it all, and not take it seriously at this stage...

OP posts:

funnypeculiar · 17/05/2007 16:38

Why don't you gtake it back and say he'd like something more suited to his age and interests ... like Quantum Physics & advanced Urdu.

(That said, ds, also 3 has been enjoying Peter Rabbit books for ages...)

Original poster

mm22bys · 18/05/2007 16:00

He hasn't read (or been read!) any BP before.

I don't think this week's book is appropriate either - it's got about two words on each page!

Don't know, maybe he picked it out for himself, if he did, no worries.

Didn't get a chance to ask the carer yesterday what it's all about, but will try to on Monday.

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