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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

Nursery for a baby

21 replies

Zooropa · 24/02/2010 12:51

What is the youngest age you would consider putting a child in nursery? Just out of interest really, but partly for a hypothetical scenario that we may find ourselves in!
Thanks for any opinions.

OP posts:

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Wigeon · 24/02/2010 21:38

About 2 years old.

CMOTdibbler · 24/02/2010 21:40

My DS went from 4.5 months, and I was happy with the care he got. Small nursery, small baby room, very consistent staffing, lots of hugs, cuddles and individual care

Karoleann · 25/02/2010 14:09

Both mine went in at 6 months, but only for 2 sessions a week. Personally, I wouldn't put an under 2 in full time, but I know people who have and their kids were okay.

BornToFolk · 25/02/2010 14:16

No younger than a year. DS started at a year (for 3 full days) and with hindsight, it was a little too young. I think he really could have benefitted from more one on one care.

However, he loves it now (at 2.4) and it's really the ideal environment for a lively toddler. And putting him with a childminder, then moving him when he was older would have been disrupting too.

mazzystartled · 25/02/2010 14:21

DS went to nursery 2 days per week from 6 months and DD 2 days from 10 months.

They were very happy, and I was very happy with the standard of care. It's about finding the right nursery, IMO.

witchwithallthetrimmings · 25/02/2010 14:24

Its not as simple as age. It really does depend on the child and the nursery and the other children in it. I don't think you make any generalisation save that you have to see the place and to feel right leaving your child there.

I feel unhappier leaving ds (almost 5) in an after-school club, than dd (13 months) in a nursery

xandrarama · 26/02/2010 11:05

My dd started nursery full-time at 9 months and has been doing really well (she is now 14 months) - it's a small nursery, she loves the staff, and the toddlers all holler and beam at one another when they arrive in the mornings. It's a really nice environment, and I am happy with the care she gets. I think that is the key thing. If the baby is 3 months and getting good care, that is much better than being 3 years and not being in quite the right environment for his/her temperament.

Reallytired · 26/02/2010 18:32

I think if the mother is happy then the baby will usually be happy. The important thing is to have high quality care and that can be provided in either a nursery or with a childminder.

I have chosen a nursery for my daughter because I wanted her somewhere where there was more than one adult in the room. If one of the nursery nurses find a baby's crying too much she can leave the room.

My daughter hates being left and I am sure she would cry if she was left at a childminder.

wobbegong · 27/02/2010 00:19

Depends on the child. Depends on the nursery. Depends on the parents. I don't think you can generalise. I see some kids who wouldn't thrive in the nursery environment till about 3.

Mollie1 · 27/02/2010 11:28

My little boy started at 3 months but I do work there so it is a little different for me!! However, he loves nursery and I think it has benefitted him massively. He has never, ever cried when going in and has made some very close friends who he has moved up through the nursery with (He is now 3.5 years)

Starberries · 27/02/2010 13:47

In America babies go from 6 weeks full-time . I used to be the lead teacher in the baby room and felt really sad for the parents leaving their new new new babies there, but of course I gave loads of cuddles.

I would leave mine from babies, don't think there's a one-size-fits-all age where 1 day it's not acceptable and the next day turning 6 months (or whatever age) it's perfectly fine. Very individual situation and highly dependent on the care/attention of nursery staff, and how appropriate the environment is.

StealthPolarBear · 27/02/2010 13:50

DS went for 3 full days at 11 months and I think that was a bit too young - would have been happier at 18 months.
DD will be going at about the same, and I am already happier about her. She is generally more chilled than him, will eat better I think, and of course will have her big brother nearby.
So agree it depends on the child. Can't imagine doing it with any child before about 6 months though - though that;s just me.

Nancy66 · 27/02/2010 15:01

Would never consider putting a child under 2 in nursery care full time.

the idea of baby in nursery really upsets me.

babiesbabies · 27/02/2010 15:07

I was going to put ds in nursery at 12 months old but didn't go back to work in the end, he eventually started nursery at just under 2 and a half which was the perfect age for him.

I am considering putting ds2 into nursery at 9 months old as I want to start work on a self employed basis. Generally I think childminders are usually better for babies but it will be more practical for me to use a nursery as I don't want to take time off for childminders sickness and holidays etc. Also it will only be for one half day per week so I don't think it will do him any harm.

littlepig · 27/02/2010 15:15

My DS was in from 10 months and my DD will be. DH and I thought it actually helped our shy DS and we were quite happy once he settled in (took about a month or so). He's not full time, which made it easier, but I must admit if I couldn't afford not to I would still be happy if I liked the nursery.

NonnoMum · 28/02/2010 14:01

Mine went in at 5 months and then 3 months, and I think they will have settled better than DC3 who won't be starting until about 8 months.
The reason that I choose an Ofsted registered nursery rather than a childminder/nanny is that it is on-site at my place of work (I know - v lucky), and that I wouldn't be stuck if illness affected my nanny or childminder.
This is a nursery with a baby room (cots etc), toddler room and a pre-school room.
I couldn't afford to not work.

cat64 · 28/02/2010 14:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

lovelymama · 01/03/2010 20:00

It makes me laugh all the people saying they'd never consider a nursery for a child under x age. Every child is different and some kids just love nursery, while for others, it just wouldn't be right for them. DS went to nursery 5 days a week from 8am til 5.30pm from 13 months. He loved it from day one. Couldn't wait to get out of our arms to his carer for cuddles. He played with more toys and activities there than he could ever have at home and he thrived on the social side of having friends to play with and a lovely routine. As much as I did with him when I was able to stay home on maternity leave, it wasn't enough for DS as he's a very active baby who requires lots of stimulation.

I didn't have any choice but to go back to work full time - it's the reality of being a woman in your early 30s in London. Life is expensive and I need to support my family and I don't have a DH whose salary alone can support us.

To to OP - nursery can be a wonderful environment for your child if you choose carefully and feel happy with the staff and the services they provide. We did many weeks of 'settling in' sessions with DS and if you found that your DC wasn't happy with nursery, I'm sure you'd find alternative means of care (child minder for example) or re-consider your work situation.

Hope you manage to find a good compromise!

Original poster

Zooropa · 03/03/2010 13:21

Thanks for the replies - a mix and lots to consider! It would be 3 days a week from 9 or 10 months old. DS went 2 days a week from 13 months, and I found that hard enough though it was a good nursery. CM is a consideration.

OP posts:

sunshine2009 · 10/03/2010 08:23

I put my daughter in at 4 months. I work at a nursery though and think its great. Nursery has helped my child as I think it has helped every child I currently work with. They become talkative, confident, all the parents come in and say they never stop going on about us and their friends at home etc. If they start young they dont usually have the tears or settling in process the same as the older ones. So I would be perfectly happy to send all my child at that age whether I was working there or not.

mog76 · 23/03/2010 17:45

my little boy has been 4 full days a week since he was 14 weeks old. i need to work and as the main breadwinner cannot afford to give up work. he's now 16 months.
however, he has LOVED every minute of it. at the nursery he attends the variety of activities is amazing - they have weekly yoga lessons, almost daily walks to the local park and outings, activities and toys that vary each day. it's certainly not 10 hours staring at the same four walls. he adores his key worker but also all the other ladies who work in the room (which is one reason I wanted a nursery over a childminder, so he could get used to different people, different races etc as I didn't like the idea of 1 childminder only and it being "home from home", or a "home" substitute). It's not home - it's nursery. He also loves his "friends", who he shouts for every morning as he arrives.
Compared to others of his age he is also very good with his vocab, physical dexterity and understanding. Whether this is down to nursery or not, I don't know but, as far as I'm concerned, it really is the best thing I've ever done!
I suspect that it's very true - if Mum is happy, then the kid usually is too, but I also genuinely feel he has benefited from being in such an environment.

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