sending 8 month old to nursery

[Butterflyy20]

so i don't intend on going back to work just yet but because it isn't a normal year eg covid, my child has barely seen any other children or adults apart from family and a couple friends. i feel as though he's really missing out as he's such a sociable child! he spends every day with me and he's 1 at the end of the year and i just think it would be nice to do a couple of hours each week to give him chance to make new relationships. I read up on it and some people seem to think it's damaging etc. is that true?? its not like he's going every day all day. if it was up to me i'd have him at home but i thought for his developments sake. TIA

Under 2’s don’t benefit from socialisation with other children.
I wouldn’t want to expose a child and your household to other people in a pandemic!

Mine starts nursery next month as I return to work, she’ll be 13.5 months. If I didn’t have to work she wouldn’t be going.
If you need a break (nothing wrong with that) then that’s different- but your baby doesn’t need it.
A few hours is very unsettling to them too, babies that go for 3 or more full days settle far better than those that go less.
It’s not likely to damage but won’t be of any benefit (to him).

It’s not worth doing for a couple of hours unless you need the time for you. My nine month old has just started going three days a week but that’s so I can work. I really hope it’s not damaging her!

Just to add, I think most nurseries would want you to book at least a full half day (four hours) a week at the very minimum.

Under 2’s don’t benefit from socialisation with other children

That’s utter rubbish

@Debradoyourecall yes that's what i would want him to do either a morning or afternoon session which is i think 4/5 hours, i am so unsure what to do! this is purely based on the fact our mum and baby classes aren't on still so we haven't had a chance to do that either. i feel like he's missing out on social interaction he would have had otherwise (pre covid)

Under 2’s don’t benefit from socialisation with other children

Bold statement.... source? expansion?

Our son goes for two afternoons a week. It's about 4.5 hours per session. He is slightly older at 15 months, but is thriving. It's done him the world of good. The manager said to us that the younger they start, the sooner they get settled in and used to it all, where as some of the older kids can find it difficult to settle.
My friends little boy has also started a different nursery and he is 10 months. He goes 3 days a week... Again no problems and he is very happy there too.
Obviously everyone is different but it has worked out well for us.

DD started nursery at 8.5 months when I went back to work (3 days a week) and loved it - before separation anxiety kicked in and was really good for her. I generally disregard stuff about saying something "damages" kids - unless it's clearly harmful (you know, giving them gin or something) or outright sodding neglect it's not usually 'harmful'. I think you would have to do a day or a few half days a week in most places.

Megan2018 Is that right?

My DS benefitted massively when he joined a nursery for 3 full days a week when I went back to work at 12 months.

Pray tell, what is your source for this sweeping statement?

@feelingsicknow
I can’t access all the sources on my ohone but there’s a huge heap of peer reviewed scientific studies that show that socialisation under age if 2 has no benefits.
Loads if benefit for over 2’s, and very important for over 3’s-that’s what underpins the whole early years framework and why government government policy for childcare funding is what it is.
Nursery for younger children of up to around 30hrs a week does no harm (if it’s good quality) but it is not developmentally beneficial. Under 2’s only benefit from attachment to primary caregivers, not other kids. This is not my opinion, it’s well documented fact.

The research led by Kathy Sylva is a good place to start with particular regard to research on childcare but any general child dev textbook will explain cognitively under 2’s don’t actually interact with each other in any beneficial way.
I have undergrad and postgrad quals in child psychology and although not working in this area now I still work with those that are.

My baby started at nursery 2 days a week when she was 6 months old and it's been fabulous. I think she would have struggled to settle far more if she had been older. We didn't have any issue settling back in after lockdown and she loves going now at 14 months.

She might not be benefitting from the interaction with other children, but nursery is about so much more! The environment and resources they offer is not something I can replicate at home. It might be possible to get all that from toddler groups, but they're not running now so it's a moot point.

To my mind, it's not really about getting the kid used to other children, it's about getting them used to other adults, new places, and to not being the centre of attention/focus all the time. The additional stimulation i think is also very beneficial. My 13m old was a completely different child when she started nursery, she'd been bored to tears at home, despite my best efforts.

@Megan2018 I’ve done a quick google and can literally only find evidence of the opposite, not sure I’ve found one link that backs up what you’ve said. I don’t really want to read every single search link that’s come up (is that even possible?) so any linked evidence would be very useful. I’m sure your phone has google and I’m guessing you have some idea of what to google. I’m not even saying you’re wrong, I would just like to know a little more than someone making such a sweeping statement on an anonymous forum.

Sorry just seen your post about Kathy Sylva - will start there.

I thought parallel play was beneficial from younger than 2? Would appreciate your thoughts.

Depends on your area, but there are lots of activities for babies/toddlers open now - classes like Hartbeeps, Monkey Music, Gymboree. Some of our Children's Centres are even open for free stay and play sessions (limited sessions for those who don't go to a nursery). Check your local FB pages and the Happity app to see what's available. I'm a sahm and I did those with my baby when she was that age. For us it was the best of both worlds, as she had the chance to mix with other children, see new places etc, but was also with me, and I loved spending that time with her.

I did send her to nursery during lockdown as the toddler groups had stopped, but she was 2 so she needed the social aspect more. I don't think a baby needs it at 8 months, and I agree it's harder for them to settle with just a single session each week.

@ReeseWitherfork google not much use for academic journals- almost everything is on subscription and I can only access that via work (my laptop, desktop etc are in my work office as I’ve been on maternity leave for 13 months). If you remind me in 5 weeks I’ll dig out what I can then. I’ll either be back on campus or my equipment will be sent out so I can WFH on VPN. I can do neither on this phone!

Parallel play isn’t important in under 2’s? I’ve never seen anything that suggests it is anyway. It’s seen sometimes in under 2’s but in no way necessary.

Just to be clear, I don’t think childcare for under 2’s is “bad” - if I did I’d hardly be sending mine for 4 long days a week from November. I need childcare and can’t afford a nanny so that’s that. But I wouldn’t be sending DD until she was 2+ for socialisation alone. All they need can be gained at home.
If the parent needs a break that’s a good reason too-not everyone would want to be with their toddler all week either. But that’s a different argument altogether.

But aside from all that, I wouldn’t want the nursery germ-fest unless vital. It’s going to be a complete PITA with Covid and the hysteria every cold or temp will bring. If I could we’d hunker down this year and avoid everyone.

To be honest my nine month old has been struggling a bit since she started nursery. She’s only just nine months and thanks to the pandemic hasn’t been held by anyone except me or my husband since March. She’s also bf and a bottle refuser despite all our efforts. Also teething! So it’s a big change for her and they’ve even saying she’s been struggling a bit. I wouldn’t be sending her if I didn’t need to go back to work. I’m just trying to think of the long term benefits at the moment. Some babies seem to take to nursery very well and others find it more difficult at first.