Anxious about DS starting nursery

[honestlymumma]

Looking for some reassurance.

My DS2 who is 10 months will be starting nursery in two months’ time and I am so anxious about it. He is a little on the slower end of development (just taking his sweet time) and has only just started army crawling, not on hands and knees yet.

I am just so worried he won’t be ready and it’ll all be too much for him. He will only be going 2 days a week but I guess that may make settling even harder for him.

My DS1 started nursery at 18 months. I think those extra 6 months make such a difference at such a young age but I need to return to work.

I know lots of people send their LOs to nursery and much younger too, so just wanted to hear some stories from anyone who is happy to share to put my mind at ease.

My eldest went at 18 months but like you, I had to send my youngest at 10 months. He was also two months prem so was not your typical 10 month old. I was concerned but they have been brilliant and it’s really helped him. He is nowhere near as clingy as my eldest was and seems to really enjoy going. He is 20 months now and is just started walking so is about to move to the toddler room but they have been really patient and helped him where they can. Be prepared for a constant cold for the first year though. As soon as mine got over one he caught another. Don’t remember older DS getting so many!

Hi OP, my DD went to nursery at 12 months just as COVID kicked off. She only went for 1 day a week. I'd say the first 3 weeks were the toughest at drop off because she'd cry and I'd feel awful. The nursery were brilliant and would phone me a couple of hours in to give me an update on how she was, and I'd suggest asking them to do this for you at first. I can honestly say though nursery has brought her development on leaps and bounds and she is such a happy little girl when I drop her off and pi m her up now. It didn't take long for her to shoo me away when I was saying goodbye to her. She's made some lovely little friends and even references them and her nursery key worker when she's playing at home. The beginning is always hard but before you know it, they'll be happy to go in!

I sent my eldest at around 11 months (as I was 8 months pregnant and needed a break!) he was only really commando crawling at that point. He didn’t walk till he was 17 months. He only went one day a week but settled in well and we had no problems at drop off/pick up. The nursery did lots of activities with him and I think it was good for him. I have no regrets and started my 2nd baby at nursery at around 11 months too. We changed nursery at that point but both dc were happy to attend nursery and settled in no bother.

Thanks all for sharing. I think having had him in lockdown is probably not helping. As I’m sure everyone else in the same boat feels, it’s only added to the anxiety.

Boys are both completely different. DS1 was a lot more of a people person, was happy with anyone, adjusted well to change and generally outgoing. DS2 is much more chill and keeps to himself, he’s the only child I’ve ever met that hates the swings at the park. Fingers crossed he will still get on just as well, it sounds like from your experience it helped them having your LOs go.

They are going to the same nursery (albeit a 9 year age difference), so I know deep down how wonderful they are there. It’s just that mum worry that gets you!

@Wowcherarestalkingme - omg don’t they just always have something. I remember DS1 having an ear infection every 4 weeks like clockwork!

@honestlymumma I can’t imagine having a baby in lockdown and it was nerve-wracking enough starting nursery in pre Covid times. At least you know the nursery. Hope your wee one settles in and enjoys it, I’m sure they will!!

Both my girls went at 10 months 3 days a week and settler straight away. There were slightly younger babies there too who weren't mobile, as long as it's a good nursery he'll be fine but it's normal to worry!

I was really anxious about sending my boy at 11 months. He was born in April 2020 so lockdown baby abs I was worried how he would manage away from me. We couldn’t do any settling sessions due to covid so we rocked up in the playground and handed him over as also couldn’t go in. He goes 7.30/5.30 Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday and honestly loves it! The girls are so good. The nursery is brilliant and have been so supportive and I feel like his development has really come on. It’s been so good for him and I am so relieved he has just took it all in his stride