What do you think about putting young toddlers in nursery?

I have a 3 year old and she's been in nursery 3 days a week since she was 10months old and she absolutely loves it!! She gets to do loads of messy play which we don't do loads of at home and they have so many resources and fun things to do there. Just as an aside, some nurseries have a minimum attendance so not sure if you'd be able to do just a single morning session x the horror stories are so so rare which is why when it happens you hear about it on the news because it's such an unusual occurrence

Mine started at 10 months out of necessity as I was going back to work. He's now 17mo and despite losing my job I've decided to keep him in two days a week as he loves it and has come on so much since starting! Whilst horror stories are awful try and remember how rare they are. If you find a nursery you like, feel comfortable with and is in line with your values, I don't think you'll have concerns about horror stories.

Yes I’d check minimum days as most nurseries are a minimum of 2 days at least x

my son (now 3 and a half) has been attending nursery since 9 months old. he absolutely loves it, i feel it really helped with his socialising, his openness, he’s very confident in the environment and yeah! we could only afford to take the 9 months maternity anyway and then it was back to work for me so there’s nothing bad about young kids going to nursery, i of course only did part time so three days a week so it’s not too bad xx

My son started when he was about 13 months and even though he cried initially, he loves it now. He only does 3 mornings but they do loads of fun stuff, and he comes back tired and then naps so it gives me time to myself too, which I really needed. He’s now over 2 and goes happily and I feel he’s learnt a lot. I’m not the sort of Mum that can entertain him at home lol so him going to nursery means he gets all the messy play out of his system! Just check out different nurseries before you make a decision, ask about settling in period, and you’ll just generally get a feel from the place.

Mine started at 16 months because we were both ready. He loved being around other children & needed constant stimulation and I was finding that hard & missed my job (& needed the money). The intention was 2-3 days a week which we did for a while but he loved it so much that he started going 4-5 days a week! We did look around quite a few nurseries before we found ‘the one’ though x

@Uzma thank you for the advice! I’ve booked a show round for a nursery near us so fingers crossed it will go well x

@Sinead that’s great to hear x

@Nire the place I’ve booked offers that so I guess we’re quite lucky. I might increase his days anyway if he likes it but for now I’ll keep it short just while he settles in if we decide to go ahead x

@Rebecca that’s a very helpful perspective, thanks x

@Rachel thanks for sharing that with me, these comments have made me feel a lot better x

@Stacy tbh I’m at the same point. I think he needs social interaction with more than just me yk? Thanks for the input it’s very helpful x

My daughter started at 18 months and loves it! I would recommend more than one morning a week tho as it can be so hard for them to settle quickly only doing one morning, especially at this age.

My 9 month old will be going to nursery when she turns 1 for one day a week initially due to cost. I'm returning to work full time (unexpectedly - my choice but not one I was expecting to have to make) I'm going to be working from at least 2 days and my mums looking after her for at least 1 days. I would research the nursery before hand , read reviews and then go from there. Nursery is a great socialisation space and they learn soo much at nursery

My little boy won't be going to nursery until he is 3. I just don't think they need to go any earlier personally.

We’ve just started at 20 months and she’s finding it really hard I would have a chat with the nursery to see what age they recommend as apparently 18-24 months is really hard I think two mornings would be better as well as apparently id they go once they kind of forget it by the next visit just for settling

Mine started at 10 1/2 months (because of work for me) and it took him a little while to settle and he still doesn’t love drop offs (now 18 months) but he loves the days there and does so many activities we don’t do at home. I would agree with others, that almost everyone I’ve spoken to said going on two or three different days makes it much easier to settle, as otherwise it doesn’t get familiar enough.

Both my children started nursery at 10 months and it's been great for them. Having said that they had no choice as I had to go back to work

Mines been going since 11 months, prob took a month to stop crying at drop off but now walks in himself and runs to his key worker ❤️ I will say that most nurseries suggest at least 2 times a week because those that only do 1 typically take a lot longer to settle as it’s so long between each session xx

My kids started nursery 4 days a week from about that age as I went back to work. After the initial settling process and inevitable illnesses they really enjoy it and I definitely feel they benefit from it. If they're only going infrequently though as you suggest, it may take a really long time to settle as they'll forget about the place in between. I'm not sure I'd bother for half a day a week, honestly. I'd definitely have them in some kind of childcare setting before school though to develop their immune system and social skills. But at 14 months if you're able to stay home and attend groups, etc then you're probably fine.

I read that there is little evidence to show the advantages of nursery below the age of 2 .. I’ll find the link

I’m in the same boat as you. I believe it’s a great thing for socialising etc but hear so many stories about stuff that happens so I’m a little hesitant just yet. I think once she starts speaking more I might be a little more comfortable with the idea of putting her in. She’s currently 16m and think when she’s atleast 2+

@Caroline thank you for your input. Tbh I thought this as well that saving the money for nursery fees and using it for groups and soft plays where he can socialise might be a good option too.

@Yasmin what was the article called? Thanks for sharing that with me x

@Amber see I was thinking that too. I want him to socialise better but I’m so nervous about things he won’t be able to tell me about. I really don’t know what the right thing to do is x

@Jess I think try and do as much of the groups and soft plays as you can as it’s still socialising etc still have a few years before school so I wouldn’t stress to much until your ready. Encourage learning cards and other developmental activities with your little one will help

I personally think it's beneficial from about 2 based on experience.

I was taking my LG to children center for stay and play in children center which was great as I am with her . She has started nursery three weeks ago because I am back to work and it breaks my heart every time I drop her But they do a lot of fun stuff and she goes in three days days a week will drop it to two days ..

I’d personally do at least 2 mornings as you may find with just 1 it takes him a while to adjust as it’ll feel a long time between sessions. I think it’s a great idea to put them in nursery, they learn and develop new skills and get to have more social interaction with other adults and children. Mines been going since 10 months and is almost 2.5 now. He loves it! X

My son started daycare at 3 months old. We haven't had any problems just make sure to do your research on the place. If you feel like it's unsafe or not what you want switch. He also likes going and has a few friends that are his age there. They all get super excited when he gets dropped off it's really cute.

A lot of nurseries will require a minimum of 2 days a week attendance.

We never did with our eldest and don't plan on it with our youngest. We go to baby and toddler groups instead and feel that is just as beneficial. My 11 month old will start nursery at 3, like his brother did.

My son turned 3 and now he is in nursery. I don’t think there is a need at all for children to go, unless obviously you need them to go due to job etc. I stayed at home with my son, and we did lots and lots of groups, forests schools and what not. So he was socialising and around children, and family. Now he’s nursery till September as the he starts pre school, so need him to get use to it as school years approaching and want him to adapt and get use to the whole system.

I would encourage it but half a day might not be enough, I’d say two half days would be better. Our nursery said they struggle to settle in if they’re only going once a week because they have to wait so long until they go again so it just takes longer. My son’s been going since he was 11 months old, two days a week and I think it’s his favourite place to go. I’m considering leaving my job to be a SAHM but I wouldn’t cancel nursery, it’s so valuable for him

@Brianna aww that’s so cute x

@Char thanks for this perspective I appreciate it x

I think nursery is great for kids and I've seen huge benefits with my little boy. I'd personally say that half a day per week could be unsettling and confusing tho and a lot of nurseries operate a minimum number of days/sessions for this reason x