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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

SAHM What age did you send your dc to nursery?

15 replies

OFSTEDoutstanding · 03/03/2008 18:09

Hi I am not talking about the sort of nursery where you can send your lo from 6month up because of work I mean preschool nursery where you send your child to get them used to a school environment?
I guess I am mainly asking you SAHM as you could send your dc when you want as there was no need for the 'childcare' part of nursery. I am a childminder so my ds who is 2 1/2 is home with me all day. He is used to sharing and large groups of children from toddler groups etc and he is used to a large mix of children at our house. He quite often goes round his godmothers and grandparents and is quite happy to be left without me there. He is not at all clingy.
I was thinking of sending him after easter but he is still in nappies and the nursery wont take children in nappies. I was thinking of sending him in Sept but my new baby will be born at the end of Aug and I don't want him to feel pushed out.
If I send him after christmas he will be 3 and 3 months, do you think this is leaving it to late?
I would love some honest opinions please TIA

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jicky · 03/03/2008 18:22

I sent mine at 2 yrs 9 months - when the local pre school would take them - but only for 2 mornings. They did need the socialising without me I think which maybe isn't necessary for your ds. What do the other children round you do ? The ones who didn't do preschool maybe took longer to settle in the school nursery and the ones who missed the nursery as well and went direct to reception seemed to take over a year to find their place because all the other children knew each other so well.

SpacePuppy · 03/03/2008 18:22

My ds will be going in June, he will be 2.6 then. I want to send him two consecutive mornings a week. I don't feel it will be too much for him to deal with after being with me all the time, I'm also doing it as his language development is becoming a problem, English is not our first language, and he is mixing his language so that is my main motivator. The playschool he will be going to does not have a problem with not being potty trained so I can't comment on that. I also chose a small group only about 20 children with a 4 to one ratio ages 2.6 to 5years. They work together with the local infant school in getting them prepared for going to "big school" etc.

bubblagirl · 03/03/2008 18:26

my ds was 2.6 when he started pre school

he is speech delayed but loved going as it gave him chance to mix with others

3 and 3 mths i dont think is too late it gives you the summer to potty train and he is around other dc anyway thats what my ds lacked as firnds moved away dont get on with play grouos poorly run in my area so it was just us

it makes me feel better knowing two mornings a week he is mixing and helping his speech

sounds like your ds is already in good enviroment with other dc so dont see a problem waiting

my ds preschool are ok with him not bein g protty trained due to speech delay if your pre school do not take them then its perfect through summer gives you best opportunity to potty train

FrannyandZooey · 03/03/2008 18:28

3.2
it was fine, he wasn't ready until then and the settling in was not too bad as we were able to explain quite clearly what was happening

there was a need for the childcare part for me - I had no other time off at all! They don't need to go at all / until they are older if you don't want to send them and you don't need the childcare

sending their children to nursery is a relatively recent development for the majority of people

millie76 · 03/03/2008 18:29

My son was 2 and a half when I sent him to pre-school, although only for two half days a week, stepping up to three half days when he turned three, and now five half days as he starts school in September.

My daughter started at 2, as she was very bright, and I felt she needed to go, but only for one half day at first, and she now at almost three goes for two half days, stepping up to three half days after Easter.

I think it depends on your child, whether you think they need more, and whether you feel like you need a break from them.

TheFallenMadonna · 03/03/2008 18:29

Just 3. TBH, it was mostly for me rather than her , but it did seem to help her talking (also speech delayed).

And of course it's free from the term after they turn three if the preschool claims NEF money....

francagoestohollywood · 03/03/2008 18:32

3.3 is not too late, it's usually when nursery schools start in other parts of the world.
Although being a sahm I sent mine at around 15 months twice a week, because we spoke Italian at home and I wanted them to learn English and because I needed a break and was doing occasional translating jobs.

Original poster

OFSTEDoutstanding · 03/03/2008 19:51

Thanks for your advice everyone. I think I will hold off until after christmas then as he is fine in his socialising skills and used to being around other children, maybe I will start him 2 half days and gradually build it up so that by the term before he start school he is going a couple full days and the rest half days a week, as he is September birthday he will go to reception staright away so don't want him starting nursery to early and scaring him off!

OP posts:

mummyoffrankie · 06/03/2008 09:33

my dd went for a year before her first term at school,so 3.9. glad i had all that time with her now cos once they start school you hardly see them and when you do they are tired and grumpy.

if they are getting plenty of time with other children i would leave it as late as you are able.

i have a sahm friend who is putting her 5mo ds in nursery 3 days a week so she has 'more time to herself'.

she asked for my opinion on this. should i be honest and tell her what i really think or keep shtum and accept that everyone is different ?

phlossie · 06/03/2008 16:38

This is my dilemma, mummyoffrankie - only I don't want time for me, but time for me and my dd. Nice to hear that you enjoyed keeping your dd with you until she started school. Be honest, but say 'this is what worked for me...' rather than 'I think you ought to...'

phlossie · 06/03/2008 16:38

Tommy · 06/03/2008 16:42

DS1 went at 2y9m but only 3 mornings. He gradually went more until he was 5 mornings at 4.6

DS2 went at 3 but every afternoon

foofi · 06/03/2008 16:43

I sent mine at 1yr, because I had no family or support nearby and needed a break and some time to myself.

francagoestohollywood · 06/03/2008 16:43

Your friend might have depression and seriously need time for herself. Mind you, I wouldn't probably choose a nursery for a 5 months old baby.

beansmum · 06/03/2008 16:51

ds will start nursery 4 mornings a week in august when he will be 4y2m

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