Is 10 months too young to go to nursery??

[LWSNOOKS]

I’m currently pregnant and nearing the time when I have to put my maternity plan in with work. Financially it makes sense to only have 10 months off and start baby at nursery in September 2025 (I’ve had to register already) is 10 months too young for your baby to go to nursery? Should I wait until they are 12 months? I’m feeling conflicted. Any advice is appreciated. TIA x

I think 10 months is possibly easier. Over one and I think they're harder to settle.

I’d have a look at Ofsted registered childminders in your area. There are fewer kids and more attention is paid to them. At that age, you might be more comfortable with that than a nursery.

My daughter went to nursery at 10 months, also for financial reasons - she thrived there!

DS started at 10 months and loved it straight away, it felt like a good age overall.

No

Ten months is often in the throws of separation anxiety. If you can afford to stretch to 12 I would. If not then they'll still be fine.

Both my kids started at 10 months, and we had minimal settling issues. DC1 was a bit clingy at drop off once she got to about 18months but never particularly distressed and went to her key worker without too much fuss, and DC2 went in like he lived there from day 1 (happy to follow big sister I guess).

Ten months too here and no issues. We had a very long settling in period (at our instigation) and the nursery was brilliant. The baby thrived and my partner and I were able to work. Lots of babies start nursery much younger.

No, not at all. Babies also pick up
A lot of bugs in nursery so waiting until deep mid winter is going to make that worse.

When mine were small, 6 months was the normal and mine were both absolutely fine

My 2 started at 9 months and 10 months. All fine from both. The anticipation is the worst bit

If you're going to cry then you'll cry which ever age you leave them for the first time

This.

Also the time that is right for your family might not be the same as another's.

And whatever you decide now, keep in mind that you might feel differently about it once your baby is here too.

Does your work allow you to come back sooner with sufficient notice? If so I'd take the max off and shorten it.

Yes there's also the possibility of you yourself still needing time to recover from the birth/any post natal issues

Both mine went at 9 months, would have liked to be at home with them longer but no choice- they were fine

9 months here and went back to work at 10 months. Wasn't financial decision, more that I wanted a close age gap, so wanted to get back asap to leave asap. 10 months was great. Not too young at all.

Don't forget to check how much annual leave you'll accrue during your maternity leave and if your work would let you take it as a block straight after - this could effectively extend your maternity leave period if you wished.

It is hard to leave your baby at any age but if you are happy with where they are going then that is half the battle

I have much older children (19&16) but when they were babies 3-6 months was normal to start nursery and they all seemed to settle fine and have grown up to be happy, secure people

IMO it’s not best for the child but often is best for the family. Kid will most likely be fine and have fun, but just not ideal.

My elder two both went to nursery at 9 months and settled in very quickly. Now teenagers. You'll be fine.

I don't want to start mass hysteria, but I'm a provider and fully booked until Sept 2026, as is everyone I know. I'd start visiting places.

And I know everyone on MN loves childminders but I never liked the idea of them being with just one adult, I prefered the idea of a nursery where there is more oversight.

Both of mine started at 11 months and both were fine. They actually cried more about going the older they got 🙈