Preschool?

[Fantail86]

My daughter is 15 months old, it's been an amazing 15 months but also hard at times; I was in hospital with her for sometime as a result of pnd. I'm living in NZ, away from friends and family so very much feel like I'm going it alone at times but life is generally good and we are starting to think about moving back to the UK, probably in a year or so.
Anyway, lots of my husband's family have been badgering me about sending our daughter to preschool. It seems to be the norm here. Financially I am lucky and don't need to go back to work yet. We go to lots of groups and I try to keep our daughter busy and stimulated during the day. From other people's experiences is pre school/ nursery that important at this age? (I know from about 3 it is to help with school readiness but didn't think it was essential with children younger?). I don't know if it's the one talking (hence why I mentioned it at the beginning of the post) but everytime people bring it up I think it's because they are implying that my daughter is bored with me/ others would do better things with her etc

Nope she doesn’t need it.

My DD has just turned 2 and will start pre school for 2 morning a week term time in September so she is has experienced being away from us I. preparation for school nursery the following year and so DH and I get some free time as we have no childcare and it’s been a hard 18 months, shielding, home schooling and with a toddler in tow.

Does she get to interact with other children at the moment?

I would suggest 2.5/3 is a good age for preschool, before that it's just childcare

DD1 went from 20months, and DD2 from 22months. 2x3hr sessions a week, then 5x3hrs when they 3yo (and free in England)

With DD1 I was pregnant with DD2, DH working away. It was my time for midwife appointments, cleaning and a bit of a breather. DD had lots of fun playing...and doing the messy stuff I didn't want to do at home. We went to playgroups on the other days, saw friends kids etc.

With DD2... one session was my 1-1 time with DD1. The other was housework. And again, DD2 had a load of fun.

Its not essential. But can be useful, and they can have a lot of fun. They did stuff I never thought of doing. (I'm not good at crafts!)

Thanks all, gives me some things to think about!

@Pissinthepottyplease yep, at groups and playgrounds.

@Fantail86

Thanks all, gives me some things to think about!

Then she doesn’t need to go but if you need some time without her then it’s fine.

I sent mine both from 18m ish for 2 mornings a week purely to have some child free time away from them. They seemed to enjoy it, but I don’t think it was necessarily beneficial until they were a little older.

With zero family in this country and DH working a lot, I personally relished that time to go to appointments, clean, meet friends and just chill without toddlers. And thankfully we could afford that luxury.