Too young for daycare?

[Helena1993]

My baby will be starting daycare at 1 year. Is that too young?

Ignore the daft ape-eths that are telling you she is too young.

You are at work. Do they think she should stay home alone ?

Are they offering to pay your mortgage, your bills, your pension contributions, your loss of earnings whilst you stay at home ?

As a pp said, it isn't that long ago that we all went back to work after 3 months. My dc are all pretty well adjusted adults with wonderful senses of humour, good jobs / prospects, secure attachment to us as parents, and confidence in themselves. Not sure what these people are suggesting.

My twins started at 10months

My mother went back to work at 3 months and I turned out fine!

Mine both went at 3 months to full time day care. Only got 3 months maternity in the country I was living in at the time.

There’s no benefit to under 2’s from
childcare but most people have to work and it does no harm if it’s good quality childcare.

My DD started at 13 months out of necessity, she really benefits from it now at 3 but before 2 it was just a necessity for me.

DS’s nursery had a huge garden, with a climbing frame and paddling pool, and they basically lived outside from Easter to October. We live in a tiny flat without even a balcony. Nursery also had a tonne of toys we didn’t have and would never have had room for, and space/time for messy play/painting/messy baking. Assume OP is talking about stuff like that.

A one year old won’t really care of course, but a 2-3 year old will. DS completely loved his nursery, it was idyllic.

Are these people actually judging you or do just imagine it? Unless they are paying for childcare, offering to tip up your pension, or look after your child, they shouldn’t get a look in.

My twins started at 4 months as I had to return to work and a year on I can say it was the best thing. They're so much more sociable, confident and have experienced so much more than my oldest did (oldest didn't start 18 months)

Mine will start at 12 weeks. I don't think 1 year is too young at all.

@Baconand there is for some children. It can help with communication and developmental delay in some toddlers. It's also benefits younger children who may not be getting the care they need at home.

Your posts are very helpful. I live in a small flat and we can't afford a bigger one until I go back to work. We don't have a pool, big garden, other kids around (only old people live in this area)

Who has told you this?

It's very much a personal decision. If nurseries were neglecting their charges they'd soon be shut down though.

If you need childcare for work, it's fine. If you don't need the childcare for work, it's still fine to use but she won't be missing out by not going - she would love being with you too. They don't "need" to socialise with other kids all day at 1 year old.

My oldest went into childcare at 1 year old, the second (along with oldest) had a part time nanny from 6 months old, the youngest was only 3.5 months old when she started nursery 2 days a week. They all thrived.

the youngest had an amazing time as she was the youngest at nursery by a long way (until about 9 months/a year) and so was in great demand for cuddles from the staff, not just those in her room.

I think you need to consider who is telling you that you would be neglecting her? Assuming that you have selected reputable childcare (and the happy children are a good indicator) then this is nonsense.

My eldest went in 2 days a week at just turned 1. Youngest started 2 half days at 5 months. They are now 22 months and 8 months and go 3 full days a week. They love it. Eldest drops my hand and runs in as soon as the door opens.

I read your update that you feel reassured. I am glad about this. Your child is not to young for day care. Please don’t feel guilty for working. To give you an alternative view my oldest was looked after by a close family member when he was little and the other 2 were put into childcare about 7 months. I also felt guilty and that my oldest was too young for childcare but I really regret not putting him in younger now. He struggled a lot in nursery and in school plus socially too. I firmly believe had he gone into childcare younger these things would have been less difficult for him (the family member who cared for him wouldn’t take him to toddler groups etc so he didn’t interact with other kids and the person doesn’t spend much time with anyone but a couple of family member said). The youngest 2 who went to a great childminder at a young age and thrived in nursery and the middle one now excels in school. The youngest is still in pre school nursery but does great too from what they say. Childcare was a very positive thing for them and not being in childcare at a young age was a very negative thing for my eldest from my view.

Don't feel guilty.
DS is 1 day a week from 6 months then full time from 10 months.
He still talks very fondly about his 'first school'

Now I'm actually getting excited for it. Finally much more fun for her. I can go back to work. I miss adult conversations so much!!! And love my work.

I'll only go part time though. I think that's perfect because I still get to spend time with my little one.

It’s not better for her than being with you and it’s not going to give her things that you can’t at that age.

BUT it’s also not going to harm her in any way (as long as it’s a good nursery obviously).

So if you need/want to go back to work then crack on.

If you don’t need or want to go back but think that you “should” put her in daycare for the benefits then don’t bother until she’s a bit older (probably around 2+).

Who is telling you they are too young?

The same friend that said it never gets better.... While I was struggling really bad during the newborn days.

You need to avoid that friend!

Ignore your "friend" bills don't pay themselves and my younger 2 dcs still afire there childminder despite no longer needing to go as they are in school and pre school

Find new friends OP. She's an ignorant cow.

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