At what age does nursery/pre-school become beneficial for a child?

[merrynelly]

And how often should they go?

I think they really start to engage and make friends from about 2. That doesn't mean it isn't beneficial to them before that, but the balance of the benefit is more for you before 2.

I've never been in the position of using nursery or pre-school 'just because' as we've both always worked, so used it primarily for childcare rather than for socialisation purposes. Mine started from 9-11 months, but from 2, they were going 4-5 days a week. I would say at least 3 days a week to probably really settle in. 2 days maybe if they are easy going enough to transition well between nursery and home even with gaps in between nursery days.

Age 3. 5 half days in my opinion.

Around age age 3, IMO. That's not to say that many children don't enjoy it before, but at around age 3 children become capable of actively playing with each other and forming friendships. They can also (usually) communicate pretty well by that point and have a basic understanding of time, which helps with separation.

I think definitely the year before they go to school. So that they are familiar with the whole idea, and school isn’t such a shock. Maybe two days a week so they get the experience of staying for lunch? Definitely two mornings a week as a minimum. Apparently one day a week is no enough for them to get used to it.

It depends whether they have other children that they see frequently. If they don’t I’d maybe think a couple of mornings a week would be good from about age 2 1/2.

Depending upon their home situation, it can be beneficial from birth.

There is good evidence that teacher-led nursery education (so in a school nursery class rather than a private nursery) has positive impacts on the outcomes for all children. Other than that I think there are too many variables in terms of home environment, nursery environment etc to give a definitive answer. My children have been in childcare from 1ish and I think they (rather than us) have benefitted from about 3, but I don't have any children who haven't been in childcare to compare them to.

I think mine benefitted from the day they started. They enjoyed the rhythm of the days, the fun activities and their relationships with the staff, even before they were making friends. But perhaps that reflects my parenting - I don't think I'm a natural with small children in the way that their excellent nursery staff were.

I would say possibly 2 for short periods and 3 for half days. Before that I think it’s ideal for them to have 1 to 1 care

Nursery is detrimental before age 3. After that a child will gain benefits, but it’s no substitute for care from an attentive parent , attending toddler groups, play dates with a parent etc.
Only if a parent has barriers to support their child due to poverty, mental health etc can nursery be a better option.

I used to be a childminder. In my opinion babies and toddlers aged upto 3 benefit from being with a parent or in a smaller home from home setting like a childminders.

At age 3 most children suddenly start to want to mix more and broaden their horizons. I think from age 3 upwards a larger group setting is needed and a good preschool setting is best.

I think 5 half days suits most 3 year olds as it sets a routine without being too exhausting or overwhelming.

Dd loved it from her first day and she'd only just turned one, she started with one and now at nearly 3 does two days a week and loves going. It's been brilliant during the latest lockdown too as she's been able to socialize with others her age. I don't actually think it's right to generalise on this though. All children are different and this was best for my dd, who has always loved being around lots of people, but may not have been right for someone else's child.

Depends on the child and situation. During Lockdown I think even babies benefited because they got to play and meet other kids in a way that wasn’t possible before. DS definitely became more confident at 10 mo - both socially and in terms of eating a greater variety of food.

@MyDcAreMarvel

Nursery is detrimental before age 3. After that a child will gain benefits, but it’s no substitute for care from an attentive parent , attending toddler groups, play dates with a parent etc. Only if a parent has barriers to support their child due to poverty, mental health etc can nursery be a better option.

What a load of nonsense.

Nursery is detrimental before age 3. After that a child will gain benefits, but it’s no substitute for care from an attentive parent , attending toddler groups, play dates with a parent etc.
Only if a parent has barriers to support their child due to poverty, mental health etc can nursery be a better option

What exactly are you basing this on?

Why is it nonsense?

This is definitely backed up by the studies I have read.
I am not an expert, and I've only read what was available via Google, so happy to be proved wrong, but to the best if my knowledge, before the age of around 3, nursery is of much much less benefit than being at home with an attentive caregiver.

3 half days, prior toddler groups where parents stay suffice

@MyDcAreMarvel

Nursery is detrimental before age 3. After that a child will gain benefits, but it’s no substitute for care from an attentive parent , attending toddler groups, play dates with a parent etc. Only if a parent has barriers to support their child due to poverty, mental health etc can nursery be a better option.

Didn’t take long for the nursery bashing to start. Yup us working mums having to farm our children out for strangers to raise. Sanctimonious tripe.

My 2.5 year old goes two mornings a week and I think she’s too young, but it’s either that or not seeing other kids/adults. In normal times I’d have waited until 3 and taken her to toddler groups, swimming, music classes etc

I started DD2 when she turned 2, just 2 afternoons a week. Its been amazing for her speech and she loves going, but I only did it because she was isolated from other kids due to covid - I would have rather waited til 3. I won't take her out now though as she loves it and it gives me a bit of 1-1 time with her baby sis.

The research says it is beneficial from 2 yrs +

Around 3 years - but as always depends on the child

My eldest had proper little buddies from 2.5, my youngest didn't really make any friends until she was in Y1 in infant school! I'd suggest it's very dependent on the specific child and nursery

Just wanted to add that my dd went at that time because we thought it would be best for her. I didn't need any childcare, it was purely to benefit her. I guess those on here bashing nurseries will think even less of me now, however I definitely don't regret it. It hasn't affected our relationship at all, as some have suggested, we adore each other and love being together.

DS went full time from 8mo, because -shock horror- I'm a working mum. I would have loved to have him home with me until 1yo, but it wasn't financially feasible. But he thrived from the start. He's just over 2yo now and absolutely loves his nursery. He gets to do more, new things than I would even know to do with him. And he's got proper little friends there.

@MyDcAreMarvel

Nursery is detrimental before age 3. After that a child will gain benefits, but it’s no substitute for care from an attentive parent , attending toddler groups, play dates with a parent etc. Only if a parent has barriers to support their child due to poverty, mental health etc can nursery be a better option.

Do you understand the difference between an uninformed opinion and evidence based opinion?

Your opinion must be uninformed because I’ve not been able to find one long running or peer reviewed piece of evidence which shows nursery to be detrimental under the age of 3.

But if you’d like to take a look at this long standing ongoing research into early learning you will find that it is in fact ADVANTAGEOUS to ALL children regardless of social economical status before the age of 3.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/627108/SEED_Impact_at_age_3_Research_Brief.pdf

Here’s a quote from the brief conclusion

^^Conclusions
Early cognitive and socio-emotional developmental benefits are associated with use of ECEC between ages two and age three. Furthermore, the benefits of ECEC were seen regardless of family disadvantage level, and regardless of the quality of the home learning environment.

Your opinion is valid as in you are entitled to it but you cannot just throw statements out like it is fact when it is in fact just your personal preference