Would you send your child to more than one nursery?

[lynniep]

Basically, DS is 2.2 at the mo. The nursery he is at now is fine, its handy ( I can walk there in about 1/4hr) its quite small and 'cosy', and the girls are lovely. He loves it, and he loves the staff and he looks forward to going. I've had a few issues in the past with ratios, with nappy not being changed often enough and some other little things, but they were sorted, and basically I'm happy with it.

However I'm a bit concerned that there won't be enough 'stimulation' when he gets to pre-school. Like I said, its a small nursery, theres only one room for the ps's, and the toddlers play in there a lot of the time anyway when numbers are down/at naptime if they are awake, so its not like a 'new room'. Also the outside space is nice, but small. I think its ok for the littlies, but should I be giving him a bit 'more'.

I also wonder if I worry too much about what there is for a 3 year old to do. I mean, does it matter that much? I never went to preschool. If I had I wouldnt remember. But would it have been beneficial to me? He's going anyway, I just want him to be 'better off'. But what does that mean really? Arrrgh!!

Ok, basically...

We saw another nursery this morning. Its purpose built (part of a chain) and DS was like a kid in a.. um.. toyshop when he got there. It was certainly bigger, there were plenty of staff, and the outdoor play areas were brilliant. Its not as handy for me (a 15 min car trip) and I'm so loathe to take him away from current nursery.

Both nurseries are obviously following the same 'curriculum' - both encourage lots of hands on artwork and reading skills and wotnot, but the bigger one seems to offer a bit more. Space I feel is quite important too - hes super energetic and needs the room!

I'm wondering if its a stupid idea to put him in both for a little while, and see how it goes. I also feel massively guilty for going behind our current nurseries back, which is stoooopid I know!

He only does a 3 day week (4 afternoons and a full day at the mo, which will change to 2 afternoons and 2 days in October), so I thought maybe if I try him in the new place for 2 afternoons and see how it goes.

The woman at the (new) nursery said that 3 settings (2 nurseries plus home) might confuse him, but I feel like it would give him a bit of variation, and if we do decide to go for the 'new' nursery, then it wont be such a shock.

Sorry, waffled on. Any opinions?

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2.2 seems a bit young for 3 different places to me - but having said that it depends on your son. Some would be fine with it! Can you not hold fire until he is three then send him to preschool? At least then the setting would have changed but it will be a long term gain in that he will be getting to know children he is likely to spend the next few years with.

Otherwise you face nursery, new place then pre-school which might be too much? Unless you do preschool later of course. Also don't forget by three your funding would have kicked in.

HTH.

I'd stick with one for the time being

My DCs went to a nursery and a playgroup from age 2.5 - nursery when I was at work for 2 days and then playgroup for a further 2 mornings and it didn't phase them at all. They just asked which sort of day it was in the morning and then went happily to either. As long as your son likes both places I don't see why it would be a problem IME children of that age are very adaptable.

my dd went to 2, she was at my work place nursery (hated it) and I wanted her to go to one where she would meet kids she would go to school with
She only did the other 1 for just 1 morning a week and LOVED and ADORED it, we had to call it "Thursday school" and pretend it was the only day it was open
LOL

I would stick where he's happy. New faces might unsettle him, especially if it's a new place which is bigger and busier, I wouldn't risk it.

I would stick with the one for the time-being. 2.2 is still very young and I wouldn't worry.

eeh, thanks for messages. differing opinions though!! eeeh!!

I should just make it clear - both nurseries have preschools - the one he's at now has it in a different room, but he goes in that room a lot now anyway at lunchtime when kids are sleeping in the toddler room, and when numbers are down.

The 'new nursery' also has preschool - also in separate rooms, but because its much bigger the toddlers don't mix with the preschoolers, so the staff wont be as familiar, unlike where he is now, where he already knows the preschool staff.