Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Flip

Original poster

Sending to Nursery

13 replies

chit · 31/10/2004 18:52

I'm first Mum and i have to send my son, Luke to Nursery now.He is only 8 months old and I am really worried whether my child will be well looked after or not.I watched Watchdog series of Nursery in TELE and it makes me more nervous.Any Opinion will be grateful.

OP posts:

deegward · 31/10/2004 19:04

I sent ds1 to a full time nursery when he was 5 months old. He was there everyday until he was 18mhts. The manager of the nursery is now ds2's god father, so please do not believe all the hype about nurserys, also ds1 was very advanced in his talking and very confident, far more than ds2 is. In my experience ds1 was very well looked after and loved his time there. {hugs} I know it is hard

KatieMac · 31/10/2004 21:43

Take lots of time picking your nursery - drop in unexpectedly and when you have chosen use a lot of settling in sessions

You'll feel very reassured.

Trust YOUR instincts

Hulababy · 31/10/2004 21:48

chit - my DD started nursery, 2 days a week, at 21 weeks. She is now 2.5yo, and recently moved to a new nursery (closer to home). She has always adored it. She gets so much ou of going to nursery. She gets to do things way in excess of what I would be doing with her if at home, see loves being with the other children and is is very sociable and happy there. When we moved her in September I was really worried, but she took it all in her stride without a monment's concern.

IME DD has only gained from going to a nursery. She is a bright, articulate, confident little girl who is into everything.

BTW, we found that most nurseries don't really like you to drop by for unannounced first visists - they much prefer to visit when they have time to speak to you and show you round. This won't be possible during meal times and nap times often, so I would actually suggest phoning in advance and asking when the best times to visit are.

KatieMac · 31/10/2004 21:52

Sorry Hulababy - I meant after the first visit if your still interested....drop in unexpectedly and during the settling in session (iyswim)

Hulababy · 31/10/2004 21:56

See what you mean. Yes, could be a good idea then - but still avoiding key times like lunch/nap times if you know them.

TBH I chose both DD's nurseries on the spot. Both just felt "right" when I visited. Didn't go back for second looks or anything. First nursery was great. Really pleased with it and Dd loved it. Second one is so far proving to be just as good, if not better in some ways!

BadHair · 31/10/2004 21:59

My ds1, like Hulababy's dd, gained so much from nursery. He's been at nursery since he was 4 months old (is 4 tomorrow) and is a confident, outgoing little boy who is bright for his age. Much as I'd love to put this down to our fantastic parenting skills (!) I have to admit that its mainly down to the interaction he had with other children at nursery and the excellent care he got from there.
If you are at all worried about your nursery, pop in 30 mins earlier than usual, or talk to other parents about their experiences of your nursery.
AS others here have said, trust your own gut instincts as they're usually right.

BadHair · 31/10/2004 22:03

Should also add that if your son is already at nursery they really shouldn't mind what time you drop in. It might be a good time to go at a mealtime as these are usually the times when the staff are under the most stress, so if you want to see how they cope in action I'd go at lunchtime.
For the initial visit, though, definitely go announced so that someone has time to show you around properly.

tangerinecath · 31/10/2004 22:07

I have just chosen a nursery for my dd, as I'm going back to work in January. Dh & I visited a few together and chose the one that had the best atmosphere, where the kids seemed the most settled and happy. I think you can get a "feel" for a place as soon as you walk in, and the one we chose just "felt" right. The kids seemed relaxed and happy with their carers, which I'm sure they wouldn't if there was anything untoward going on. If you're really worried Chit, perhaps you could find a nursery in your area that has internet access to site cameras so you can "drop in" during the day?

beansmum · 31/10/2004 22:11

I love beans nursery, he's been there a month, he's 22wks now. I dropped in unexpectedly the first time I visited but only to ask what would be a good time to come back. They were really friendly and it just felt right for him. Luckily since it's the only nursery nearby!

They have been really flexible about picking up, dropping off times. I collect him every lunchtime for 45mins and it's fine if I visit or pick him up early. All the nursery nurses are lovely, bean seems happy and always gets really excited and smiley when he sees them in the morning. I'm a bit jealous actually, I never get that many smiles!

beansmum · 31/10/2004 22:13

Oh, and I forgot to ask for their phone no the first day but they gave it to me anyway and told me to phone as often as i wanted. You should be able to speak directly to the room your son is in.

Uhu · 01/11/2004 08:29

chit

My twin DS (age 8 months) have been at nursery for 4 weeks and settled in from day one.

Last week, I turned up earlier than usual and went into the baby section. The carer and twin 1 did not notice me so I stood and observed them. She was playing with him and he was gurgling and laughing ecstatically. He was so happy that I nearly cried.

When you find a good nursery, make sure you build a rapport with the staff and that will make things a lot easier for you. Babies are more resilient than we sometimes give them credit for and as long as they know they are loved and given ample attention when they want it, they will be fine.

Good luck!

Original poster

chit · 02/11/2004 06:54

Thank you everyone for invaluable advices and sharing your experiences.
We visited to a couple of nurseries and we felt this one looks OK.I hope he will be happy in the Nursery.My other worry is he used to sleep in quiet room at home.So he might not sleep well in nursery.Also he won't open his mouth in the meal times unless I give him something to bite.Meal times take at least about an hour.I am not sure Nursery staffs can pay attention for that.
I'll go with him on the first day and find out how he does and how the staffs are.

OP posts:

KatieO · 02/11/2004 14:01

Chit - felt just like you when I had to send ds to nursery, worried how he'd sleep, eat etc but you would be amazed what they will do for nursery that they wont do for you! ds always a nightmare to get to sleep at home, but goes down with no fuss at nursery on a mat on the floor!

Good luck with nursery, he'll be fine!

Flip