Is nursery at 2yo necessary?

[dubai71]

I am a SAHM of an only child.

Our DS will start at the nursery joined to the school he will then attend at 3yo.

Currently DS goes to the creche at my gym for 4.5 hours a week (3 x 1.5 hour sessions)- where he gets to socialise with other children and adults. As it is a gym crèche it is not, and I wouldn't expect it to be, particularly structured in terms of education/ development. DS enjoys the crèche and that 'me time' is sufficient for my sanity.

Should, however, I be looking to send him to a proper nursery at the age of 2 or can we continue as we are until he goes to nursery at 3 without stunting his development??

Interested to hear peoples' views.... Thank you in advance.

I'd be interested to hear views also, I am a mostly SAHM in that I work 1 day per week when DH is at home with DD.

I don't put her into any crèches, etc. I take her to toddler groups/swimming lessons/soft play/playdates/days out etc. The usual. Likewise she will be going to nursery age 3 (she is almost 2), I hadn't intended to do anything other than what I am currently doing until then.

no, absolutely not necessary.

i say this as someone who had 2DC in nursery 2 days per week from the age of 9mo.

nursery can be nice - gives you a break, gives them a change of scene, but as long as you are getting out to socialise and doing all the normal bits and bobs at home, they won't miss out in the slightest. IME it's not until 3+ that they begin to benefit from the social aspects and gentle structure.

No, I can't imagine why it would be. My DD1 and DD2 both started nursery in the mornings at about 2 and a half, but that was because i wanted them to (with DD1 I had a 6 months old DD2 and with DD2 I had a 6 month old DS and needed a bit of a break from the toddler if that makes sense). DS didn't start until he was 3 and I don't even think they really need it at that age. They develop just as well (or better / more secure) being with you and doing all the things you do as being at nursery

Not necessary - although I do send DS (to a playgroup rather than nursery, and IME there is a subtle difference) and he loves it.

Thank you all for your input- much appreciated. I had been toodling along quite happily with no plans of nursery until DS is 3yo and then a couple of friends suggested I really ought to think of it at 2yo. Your comments have been reassuring and helpful. Thanks.

Not at all, not unless you fancy the break. I've been contemplating this recently as DD goes to a childminders rather than a nursery, it's a very laidback CM too (though hitting all the targets) and we started debating whether she needed something more structured or busier and then decided... fuck it. She's 2. Let her spend her days rolling down the garden hill and trying to eat cotton wool instead of turning it into sheep. Plenty of time to do that later.

As Thurlow says.

Its good if you want a break but if you are a sahp you can probably do a better job yourself.
Mine didn't like nursery or pre school, so they didn't go at all.
Two are adults now and it hasn't disadvantaged them at all.

Well my kids are screwed if it really is essential!

My 2 yo twins will start preschool in September, after their 3rd birthday.

My older two did just the same and are happy confident 7 and 5 yo's doing well at school.

I go to toddler groups, we go out and about with friends and they have a very nice time. No need for school / nursery just yet, and I'm fortunate to be a SAHM for the time being, so no need. Sometimes I'd love a break but it's too costly to put twins in childcare just or my benefit, so I'll wait until September

Absolutely not necessary. The government are obsessed with trying to get as many 2 year olds as possible into nursery and I think it's seriously misguided.

Make sure you're accessing your local Children's Centre groups (if you have some nearby) and local library but don't worry about nursery until he is 3

Not necessary at all for the circumstance you describe.
However, Lottapianos - there are a LOT of 2 yr olds who are far better for being in Nursery for 15 hours each week, for 101 different reasons.

BackforGood, what sort of reasons are you thinking of? I'm an Early Years SLT and the children that I see benefit hugely from access to Children's Centre groups where parents and children attend together, and the parents are given advice and support about how to help their child's development at home. What hacks me off massively is that the government don't seem to value those services, but seem to feel that access to nursery is the answer to everyone's difficulties. If things are not good for a child at home, then surely working with the parents is the way forward, not dealing with the child in isolation.

I'm not knocking nurseries at all - I work with some brilliant ones - and they are so important for 3 years olds.

I absolutely love groups like Little Chatters, etc, but they are like hens teeth around hear - the SaLT provision in our area is so sparse it's virtually non-existent.

Also, advice given to parents only works if parents are both willing, and able, to engage and to act upon the advice. So many don't - and there's the issue. That's where provision of at least some hours in a week where the child gets some interaction, play, speech, etc. Ideally in high quality Nursery provision, but, to be honest, even our weaker Nurseries provide a far better environment than so many of the children's homes do.

Sorry for hijack op - but just wanted people to understand it's not black and white for all 2 yr olds.

I hate the way so many people go on about how important nursery is from sucha young age. I had this too. They make you feel like your child is somehow missing out. Its fine to just start them at 3.