What are the plus points of childcare?

[ButterPie]

So, DD1 become eligible for the 12.5 hours of childcare soon. I am SAHM, have another, younger, child and have inlaws begging to spend more time with them, so my first reaction was to refuse it as we don't need it. However, what would be the plus sides?

I must say, we are not convinced about sending her to school when she is older, but I accept that this childcare isn't school.

it isn't childcare it is pre-school. she will enjoy being with her peers and learning.

the benefits of actual childcare are that you get to go to work, or get a break.

She is with her peers and learning without school (or preschool or whatever) though, we go to endless playgroups, playdates, museums, libraries and so on. I get breaks now with her going to see her grandparents or going off places with dp. However, I know that taking up the 12.5hrs is the done thing, even for sahms, so there must be good reasons for that.

positives
-messy play (she paints every day)
-playing with other kids
-independence
-fills 2.5hrs of the day
-i get to spend a bit of time just with ds - v good for him and me.
-gives your day a bit of structure

negatives
-it buggers up your day a bit sometimes

I'd go to a few places and see what you think. Dd went to a playgroup last year that was lovely and v flexible. I visited one I didn't feel comfortable leaving her at. SHe has just started at a state nursery and waves me away without a second glance . You can always take her out if she you don't like it.

I am with you in that I don't think it's an ESSENTIAL (and have lots of breaks with gps etc). But dd really loves her nursery, it's nice to do something different with different people, no?

Positives:
They do all sorts of different things, in a different setting, with different children, and start to build their own, little world of friendship, new routines and different games.

And for you there is... well... freedom.

I actually think that in most cases it is essential.

What it meant for my dcs was:

trying their hand at new activities that I had never thought of

getting to know more children- and knowing half the children in their class before they started school

getting to know more adults (some truly lovely ones, too)

For her:

Other kids
Other adults
Other activities
Another world

For you:

A chance to focus on your younger child or other activities or just get a bit of a break. The pleasure of watching her expand her horizons a little and pride when she learns to enjoy new people, thrive in a new place and negotiate small challenges.

Totally agree with Franca. I think it's practically essential and there are very few downsides to part-time place at a GOOD preschool/nursery.

Remember that you don't have to take up the whole 12.5 hours - you can send her say for 3 mornings if that suits you better. I have always tried to have one day of no nursery at all as it means you are more free to do whole-day activities. Also - it's not compulsory, so if her grandparents want to take her out for the day, you just tell the nursery she won't be in!

My DC recently started pre-school (she has was 3 in January) 5 afternoons a week. I am also a SAHM with a younger 18 month old child.
My little girl absolutely loves it. She adores the teachers, has made a couple of little friends and gets to do loads of fun, learning activities that I neither have the time, patience or imagination for.
Prior to this we also went to a lot of toddler groups, library craft and story sessions etc but my DC was growing out of free play and enjoys the structure of preschool.
It gives me a break and my youngest gets the opportunity to mix with other LO's her age and gets my full attention at the park or toddler groups we go to without DC1.

Right, we are going to look at a place this morning. I'm feeling seriously wobbly about it, but DD1 is really happy with the idea, and they sound very flexible. :/

My mother didn't send me to pre-school and I had a really hard time settling in a primary school - DD went as early as they would take her and never shed a tear .

I would disagree and say it is optional - it's just that most people do take it up!

I would definitely go and look around, and if you think she would get something out of it, then don't let your wobbles hold you back on it - but if she isn't sure, then don't force her to go, she is still little and you can always try again in a few months.

It is a good preparation for 'big' school and will help with the transition if you do send her to school. Also in a good pre-school the teachers will have a good understanding of child development so they will help your daughter learn and develop through play activities in ways that you or your grandparents may not have thought of. As you have another child it gives you or the grandparents the chance to have one-to-one time with the younger one which is also good for their development. As it is only 12.5 hours a week and free I definitely think it is worth trying out. She may cry the first time you leave her, many children do, but teachers should be able to help her settle in by starting with just an hour session for example and building it up to the 2.5 hours when she is more settled.

The main positive for us was the childcare bit. In all honesty. It gave me a break - a chance to clean up a bit, take a breather, bond one-to-one with my baby.

The benefits for my older child were mainly a bit of variety in his day and a chance to play with loads of different toys. There were no real downsides to it, anyway, although I won't claim it gave him some huge advantage over a child that didn't go to nursery.