My youngest isn't as I'm not doing enough hours to put her in when she's older and gets funding I'll send. I do take her to lots of baby groups swimming etc
My baby is 15 months and doesn't go to nursery and will not go until she is 2 years old. And I'm not worried about that. We go to baby groups activity and that's enough. She is ok. We tried nursery but every time I picked her she was crying and sad. Every time she sees the teachers she starts crying. We think she is not ready for nursery.
My twins do 3 days a week and i think it has aided their development exponentially. I would feel like they were missing out if they didn’t go at all, even just one day. But each to their own x
My 15 month old is going to a childminder 4 days a week. I needed/wanted to go back to work so this felt a good compromise as it’s 2 carers/6 kids up to age 2 and they have proper cots/sleep spaces and it’s really lovely. But I still feel guilty about it and miss her lots. I did a lot of research and while nursery/childcare is a necessity for most these days from a young age, there isn’t any real benefit as such until 2/3+. Even my girl who is very social and loves other kids, isn’t really connecting with them in the same way they build friendships later on. They do parallel play rather than playing together. I mean it’d be too harsh to say there is nothing good about it and some kids thrive but that’s because babies are generally very adaptable but in an ideal society/world, babies would stay with their primary carers until they are older. I think from 2-3 there starts to be a much clearer benefit and prep for school etc. So you have nothing to worry about.
Oh and I’d add that you could get baby interaction by going to baby groups etc. so best of both worlds really!
I’m putting my son into nursery at 2-2.5 as well! I take him to softplays and playgroups and he’s sociable with other kids, though he has lots of cousins. And we do a lot of educational play so I’m not concerned about his development either. I also want my son to be able to communicate with me and tell me if he’s enjoying it or unhappy at nursery. Your decision is never the wrong one. Your child & your choice 🩷
I won’t be sending my LO to nursery until he’s around 3. We go to playgroups and he sees his cousins regularly as we live nearby. I take him on days out and he experiences nature and views as we live in the countryside. It’s just another form of early education 😊 He loves being around other kids at playgroup but tends to parallel play anyway too!
Glad I read this post as I’ve been feeling the same lately. I don’t have a job to go back to anymore and so I’m in no rush for her to go to nursery … but at the same time I feel being home with me, playing with the same toys, watching the same cartoons and going to 1 or 2 play groups a weeks may not be enough for her anymore?? and I feel guilty. I won’t lie I get abit bored of it too and would like maybe half a day a couple of times a week to myself but I’ve actually struggled to find anywhere as some waiting lists are up to a year long!
I cant afford nursery so my lo won't be attending till after shes 3. I think as long as they meet different people try new experiences n spend some time away from u they will still do really well x
My toddler is 2 next month and nit going nursery until januaury
My 15 month old doesn’t go nursery and I won’t be sending him either. He’s so social, hitting all milestones and doing really well! Nursery is not everything x
Thanks girls. My next question is are you all not working until that time too? Because im not working atm and dont plan to for a while, but feel guilty that I should be going back to work and putting her in nursery.
@Kelly I handed my notice in after maternity leave to be a SAHM, so that’s one of the reasons he won’t be going to nursery as I’m at home
If you look up studies, they only really benefit from nursery around 3 years old so won't be missing anything (not to say it's negative for under 3's, just it's worth having them in after 3 for socialisation reasons as they start playing together at that age), but library groups and toddler groups are great and often inexpensive. I take mine to lots and she learns so much from them and enjoys them. We tried nursery around 10 months old but my job didn't work out, and I haven't found anything suitable since so we've just been happily staying home and are likely to do so until she's 2. It's not ideal for us in terms of finances but it is doable.