Unsure about nursery for my 3year old.

[Mumtoone1232]

I'm looking for some helpful advise. My daughter is 3years 4months old. We are very lucky that I work from home all week apart from one day in the office and my husband is a stay at home dad. This was not always the case, we moved 12 months ago from Essex/London to Norfolk to be close to family after I changed jobs and I was able to move and my partner was able to quit his job, until then my daughter was in nursery 3 half days a week as we juggled nursery and working, which I had major mum guilt over. She was fine going but never really "loved" it.

Fast Forward to now, we have been toying with the idea of her going back to nursery for a minimum amount a week ( I think it's two morning or afternoon sessions) as our little girl is very social/come out of her shell and is eager to make friends, we think she is yearning for socialising with children similar to her age. But I keep feeling torn as I feel worried about her attending. I worry something awful will happen or she isn't in the best care - obviously I have looked into the best nurseries near me and ofsted reports etc but I can't help shake this uneasy feeling especially when I see a news article of awful things that have happened in a nursery setting.

Im aware this is very unlikely and I'm most likely being too over protective and worrying as many children are so cared for and blossom during their time at nursery.

Has anyone not had their children go into nursery? If so how did this fair for them when going to school?

For info, our daughter attends multiple clubs during the week, socialises with many children and loves her gymnastics club. But I wonder if nursery would be beneficial for her.

Thank you!

It depends on the child - it sounds like she'd thrive at nursery as you say she's sociable and keen to play with others.

As you don't need it for childcare, why not choose a school nursery?

I’d not hesitate to send her to a school nursery or one with close links to the Primary she will attend.
It can be more difficult to settle into Reception if your DC isn’t used to a preschool routine.

When I was a SAHM my DC went to nursery three mornings a week from 3yo. I think it was really good for them in lots of ways. You can always stop if it's not going well.

I’m at SAHM but my eldest has been doing two mornings a week at pre school since he turned 3 and he really loves it. There’s evidence to suggest they’re more ready and benefit from that kind of setting from the age of 3 and I do think a pre school is helping prepare him for school especially as that’s the one he’ll be attending from next year.

Sounds like she does a lot of
socialising anyway so I don’t think 2 mornings in nursery would add much value in that regard. Send her if you want to but it’s definitely not necessary. Personally I think we spend such large chunk of our lives in group setting/education so it’s great if you can delay it as much as possible and keep her at home until school age (or beyond if home educating!).

It sounds like your daughter would take it in her stride and that it would be very good for you to start to let her have a little bit of independent time away from you before she starts going to school 5 days a week.
You might find she enjoys it more if you do full days/or 3 days as she might settle better.