Sending 8mo to nursery?

[Newmum0113]

Hi all

We are looking into nurseries for our dd who is 8mo. It will be for two, maybe three mornings a week as I will be going back to work in July.

What are other people's experiences with similar situations? Did it go well? How do you and your partners feel about it at first, and once your baby was settled in? Did your baby cry?

Also, what do I look for when visiting places? What questions do I need to ask?

Thanks for any help and advice!

DD has been going to nursery since she was 4mo. Started at 2 days per week, now up to 4 days (she's 7mo now)

She loves it. She's settled in really well - is always full of smiles when I drop her off. She clearly has her favourites out of the staff and they're sooo fond of her. They're always telling us how lovely she is and how lucky we are.

I reckon she's developing really well too as she's an only child (and is staying that way!) but gets to see other older babies. Things like her rolling over / attempts to crawl / sitting up are all going well. Also, we get loads of help with weaning. As well as obviously feeding her when she's there (we supply the food until she goes onto normal food), they let us know when they think she needs more / what she has liked most, etc.

It's been a really positive experience for us.

Blankie so much for that. I'm close to tears right now I doesn't realise how nervous I was of replies until just now. Usually I get an ear bashing on here and was expecting loads of abuse!

That's really good to hear that she likes it there. Our dd is likely to stay an only, although I'm not really happy about that, but that's another thread lol!I ding have many friends here as I'm new to the area so I'm hoping she'll learn to interact with other babies better at nursery than she would if she didn't go. We go to a group once a week and she's really sociable there.

What questions do I need to ask? What do I need to look for?

I spoke to one nursery on the phone and she have me soo much information, but I didn't feel bombarded by it, iykwim, she was just so friendly and I got a really good feel for it. We can drop in any time we like and have a tour, so that's our next step I guess.

We went and looked around and I found I got a good gut feeling which wasn't wrong!! Ds did get a bit upset at first but only for a few seconds/a minute (I listened outside the door) and he runs in now and doesn't want to come home!! I def think it has helped him develop and he has made some friends who he talks about at home I even send him now while I'm on maternity leave as he loves it so much, that prob makes me an awful parent

Read the ofsted reports

Any local recommendations? I got some via Facebook.

My friends run a nursery and their advice was to go on gut feel as much as anything - can you imagine dropping dcs off etc.

Good luck

I have two DC, both started nursery at 6m and by the time they were 9m were full time 5 days a week. I can count on two hands the number of times I have had issues with them being upset or clingy on drop, whereas I saw people starting little ones at the 1yr mark (when often people go back to work after Mat leave) struggle a lot more and for a lot longer. I think you will find 8m a perfect age, as they will be too young for proper separation anxiety and by the time it hits they should be very comfortable with the staff.

My DC thrived in nursery and it was by far the most compatible childcare option for them and us as a family. My eldest DC is now at school but often is back at nursery to collect DC2 and the staff are always still happy to see her and ask how she is getting on. My DC2 will be there for over a year more and it will be a real end of an era when he leaves, as it will have been 7 years relationship we have had with this nursery.

I have made a lot of lovely parent friends through nursery, my children have made some great friends and we have a good supply of qualified childcare professionals happy to babysit if we ever need (all of whom are well known to our children).

The only downside of nursery is that the first 6-12 months of attendance can be super tough in terms of illness - they catch it ALL and bring it home, so be prepared.

Like others have said, visit all that you would consider an option and find out about availability etc, then go off your gut instinct. The staff are the thing that make a nursery, so while the ofsted rating is a useful guide, don't let that rule your decision.

Good luck x

Mine both went FT at 7m. Nursery was chosen based on look round , hours, location and gut feel. Mine both loved it and thrived. Both had snotty noses for ages but they end up with immunity of steel. Really do not beat yourself up. They adapt within days and become very confident well rounded children

Thanks everyone. Really glad for the positive response. I'd let her to my mums but she live so far away and doesn't drive to come visit either so that won't work for us

Really excited to visit the one I spoke to on the phone now. Might drop in tomorrow.
Night all x