Is it ok to use nursery if I'm not working?
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Nursery is great for social development. And for other developmental milestones etc, my daughter has learned so much since being at nursery. I think if he has taken to the key workers so readily then that shows that he is ready for the environment. If you prefer stay and plays or play cafes then that’s also a way for him to be around other children, do you not do this already though? I personally think nursery is better as they go by the EYFS framework and I think it also gets children ready for reception, school etc. Not all nurseries need 3 days minimum attendance a week, my one needs 2 full days. If he doesn’t like it you can always pull him out.
I too am a stay at home mum ( I work two days a week for my parents but the girls come with) as of this week my daughter does 2 1/2 days at our local village pre school and she is thriving !! She loves all her little friends and all her teachers. They do forest school and have a local music company come in to work with the children as well as a lady from the village who comes in to do craft time. After her sister was born in January we did have a day where she was quite upset after being there for about an hour and they rang me straight away to let me know and to come and get her. I think finding the right setting is everything and if you find the right one they will thrive and evolve so much as a little person like mine has !
I sent my 1 year old to nursery on my day off work!! He loved it and I loved the me time!!!!
I'm a SAHM and my son goes 2 mornings a week, soon 3. I searched alot of different nurseries and settled on a small village preschool that is alot cheaper and a much better setting for him. He's thriving there. Yes sickness is annoying but the weather is getting warmer now so hopefully the end of that! It gives me time to do things for myself: gym, walk the dog, clean, relax. Toddlers are exhausting 24/7 and we don't have a support system around us.
@Katie I love that, thank you for sharing
@Amy the stay and plays near us are awful, but we compensate with regular soft play centres and we are with cousins the same age every other day too. I did beat myself up about not regularly going to stay and play but they're just very unpleasant near us
@Erica yes, there is no support system and I think we hold ourselves to much higher expectations in terms of development and stimulation (a generally stable society can focus on more than just keeping kids safe and alive), so I feel totally emptied right now. Desperately need that bit of extra time to nourish myself so I can nourish him.
@Francesca much needed time!
@Emma thanks, Emma, this is reassuring ❤️
Absolutely, you deserve a break too and it’s so good for them! For independence, learning to socialize with other children without you present, emotional regulation, and just general fun! When mine started at 11 months he only did 2 mornings a week and now he does 1.5 days to increase to 2 full days in September. He’s thrived and I do think it’s really beneficial for them xx
Honestly, it's such a weight off knowing I don't have to worry about him bin there because I trust them, and it gives me time to unwind and not be overstimulated! You'll know when you find the right place and feel content!
It would be good for your little one to be round other children for the social aspect but also so he gets used to being away from you so the transition to long school days isn't so hard on them. Perhaps if you want more time, start when they turn 3. My boys speech has come on so much since starting he's really benefited from being in nursery. He goes Monday to Friday and just does 9-12 and is off during school holidays. I'm not full time sahm but only work weekends
So all nurseries are different in terms of minimum requirements for staying. My one requires just 1 full day and my daughter does a day and a half. I think it is great in terms of socialisation and confidence for my LG but every child is different. Just because you're a SAHM doesn't mean that you can't send to nursery. Everyone needs some me time. Research is the way to go. Read ofsed reports, talk to other parents, ask nurseries questions. We found a great nursery that just put us so at ease that we don't worry. Definitely don't settle. My daughter has been going since 2 and is now 2.5 and loves it. She started with a speech delay and is now a chatterbox. We still do swimming, playgroup and athletics and she goes to grandparents 2 days a week. We also socialise with family and friends on weekends or get out as a family. She took only 3 weeks to settle on 1.5 days. Only con I have at the moment is the sickness but hopefully with spring here that won't be so bad now. X