How / does attending Nursery benefit Reception children?

[LaTristesse]

I hear lots of primary teachers saying how much of a difference going to Nursery makes to their new intake each year, and that children who've never been struggle when they start school. I'm wondering if anyone can be more specific about how? Is it just socially? Should I be considering finding DS a nursery place so he doesn't struggle later? Surely Pre-School fills this gap?
Sorry for a myriad of questions! Any thoughts anyone? Thanks

They probably mean as opposed to kids who haven't been to nursery or pre-school, but have been at home.....

I think they mean any sort of childcare when they say "nursery" so yes I think pre-school does the same job. In my dd2's case though, she took ages to settle into pre-school - cried every morning for months then started to trot in happily. She's just started reception and she's no better, even though she spent 2 years at pre-school. She's still crying every day. Some children are just going to find it harder than others I think.

I think that they mean that the nursery children don't struggle as much with the separation from the mother. My DD went to a pre school and altho she went happily all last year (after a shaky couple of first weeks) she has been off with me all summer and so has struggled with separation anxiety at the start of school.

She has only been going a week tho and is much better already (and just a few tears, and the teacher is being very helpful). yes it probably makes their job easier but that's exactly what it is, their job. I personally wouldn't send a child to nursery just to "socialise" them.

I was a big fan of the pre school tho, mornings only and a lovely nurturing environment (we went to a Baptist pre school altho catholic/ agnostic but the women who ran it were lovely).

Being looked after at home by Mum is the best thing for children. I say this as a working mum (I am on sabbatical at the moment but worked from DD being 11 months to 3 yrs 6 months) - I couldn't have hacked it but hats off to you, and don't let anyone make you think your DC would be better off in a nursery.

I suppose it has to do with the behavioural/social aspect of it - children who have gone to another environment should be more aware of things like sharing, taking turns, following instructions, separating from carer than a child who has never had to deal with these issues and has one-on-one care??

I must admit the benefit of an early introduction to reading/writing - children catch up..

Surely pre-school and nursery are the same thing? My ds goes to a pre-school, which is an extension of dd's primary school. They refer to it as the 'nursery' section of the school though. Whatever one calls it, I'm sure it helps them get used to co-operating with others, sharing toys, sitting quietly when required etc.

During my time as a reception teacher I have to say the children who struggle the most with school are those that have attended day nursery IMHE.

My dc went to pre school. Than nursery attached to the school. I was adamant that they had this as I felt disadvantaged socially as my mum kept me at home.

Bath did you feel disadvantaged because you didn't know children in your class? That's what has happened with my DD even tho she went to pre school. I have managed to get her playdates with other kiddies in the school holidays prior to starting school (not an option for a working parent I'll grant you but the OP is a SAHM) which has helped a great deal.

I can't link to the research but I've read countless times that children learn to socialise best in mixed age groups (so at home with siblings or out and about at groups) more so than in single age groups.

Also I'm sure that children reared in the secure loving environment of the home are more emotionally secure than those left in the care of others. My DD was left with a childminder from 11 months and as such I am sure has some residual separation anxiety from that - she is less secure than she would be had I not gone back to work. I do feel that the common consensus is the opposite of this - that they somehow "get used" to being left, and so the sooner they are left the better.

I don't think it was that exactly. It was just that I didn't feel that able to relate to my peers as I had little experience of it. Was also shy which didn't help.
I think maybe it would have been fine if i had attended toddler groups etc but that didn't happen either.

Ah ok. But then I would argue that a shy child needs a gentler introduction than nursery........I was taken to nursery as a toddler and left, all day, crying. It's my earliest memory. My mother was asked to remove me after three days or so, and I never went back until school, when I cried every day until Christmas.

This was the late 60s/ early 70s so things have changed somewhat but I still think "sensitive" children need a different approach.

That is not my experience. We have several kids which are truly distraught and they have all come from nursery ...

Really interesting responses, thanks everyone. I am planning on my DC attending preschool from 3.5 hrs when they get their free allowance, if that's still going then! But they will be at home with me until then. I make sure they do spend time playing with other children, so hopefully they won't struggle too much socially. Thanks again for the replies...