baby in nursery

[cornishglos]

Before I start I really don't mean to judge or offend. I fully expect to put my baby in a nursery but. ..

I hate the idea. My first went to a childminder and I loved that. But now I am about to finish mat leave with number two. My first is still small (just 2). It seems sensible to put them both in nursery as the hours are better and the bigger one will get more out of it. I don't want to be doing 2 drop-offs in the morning.

But I can't get my head around leaving my baby in a nursery all day. She'll be 10 months.

Please reassure me that she'll get enough attention, cuddles, nose wiping, milk, won't be made to eat like a toddler, won't be left to crawl around putting dirty toys in her mouth...

Or convince me this will happen and I need to find an alternative? Or am I being silly?

I already feel so much guilt at going back to.work. I know that's normal but I didn't feel like this about the childminder.

Thanks

Thanks. I really didn't mean to start a nursery v childminder debate. I know it's personal. I have already made up my mind on that one but have two to consider.

If you don't want to do the 2 drop offs, then I would go for the CM, and get the CM to take the older one to playgroups / parent and toddler groups / sty and play, or even - when their funding kicks in - a Nursery.
I wouldn't want my baby to be in the same room all day. For me, choosing a CM was all about the baby having the closest environment to being at home with me - going out every day to the park, to the shops, to the post office, etc.,etc. However, all the CMs I used (over a number of years and various good reasons for having to find new ones) have ALL gone out to either CM specific groups, or ordinary stay and play groups - I don't know why your CM isn't doing this, for your older one to get the play and social opportunities that gives them.

That's interesting, as my childminder was great but didn't leave the home much as she had 3 little ones. The nursery is free-flow. There is lots of outdoor space which they can use whenever they want, and they go for walks, so it's not all in one room. Also the babies and toddlers share a dining room.

My experience completely resonates with that of Oogle. Right down to the reaction I get when I come to pick DS up (he has been going since 10 months and is now 17mo). He squeals with delight when he sees me but then toddles off to go and play some more. they have loads of outdoor space at the nursery (even though they're in Zone 2 London). And he is quite clearly in his element.
I'm not saying nursery is perfect. BUT I am very happy with it overall. And more importantly DS seems happy. It's not one-on-one care but the staff seem to show genuine affection and care for the children.

I was very happy with the level of care Dd received when she started nursery at 6 months. She's almost 3 and is very happy at nursery. She has friends and an excellent key worker.

Ds with start in 2 months when he is 6 months. I am confident he is in good hands. I think the most important thing is the confidence you have in the nursery and the feel you get from visiting. Trust your instincts.

U honestly prefer nursery to childminder. At nursery if your DCs key person is off for some reason there are always back up people to look after DC while with childminder you have to work it around their needs, eg you have to book holyday when they do, on the other hand DCs carer won't loose it at nursery as they with other people so they help each other when one is struggling or they control themselves better, I herd a lot of nasty stories about baby sitters left alone with children but that's back in Romania.

My daughter has a severe milk allergy and they handled it really well so far, as making different foods for her, checking labels, baying alternatives for her even if their main supplyer doesn't sell them. A person specifically goes and buys for her. She is not close to baby's that eat food containing milk etc. The only down side is that in nursery are more baby's toddlers together and my daughter now has a cold so illness might spread easyer although they they tempt to send them home if ill but it does take a few days sometimes for simptoms to show so those with weacker immune system tempt to get it too but that strengthens their immune system in time. I am happy with my nursery choice anyway. They might not be all that good and it also dependes on the baby

A lot of nursery have out doors and they do a activities inside, eg painting, help with making breakfast when older, my nursery also has a dancing session mid morning etc, they have a porch as well for when the weather is not nice so they do tempt to go out and keep themselves entertained as that's what kids do

Both my DC have gone to nursery since they were about 10 months and they love it. We are really lucky in that their nursery are brilliant. We looked round several. It made going back to work much easier knowing they are happy and looked after.

My dd started nursery at 9 months. I was so worried. I should not have worried. She's been there nearly a year. She loves it and we're very happy. You need to be happy with the nursery choice.