What age to start nursery...?

[embo71]

I have just been told that my daughter has got a place at a nursery school when she turns 2.

Currently she goes to a wonderful childminder 3 days a week and I thought (due to waiting lists) she wouldnt be offered a place for at least another 6-8 months.

We have been told that if we don't take the place we will not be offered another one before next Sept (when she will be 3)....

TBH it feels a little too early but waiting another 12 months seems too long? argh....

Just hoping that the wealth of good knowledge on the forum can help us decide...

Opinions please.....

Thanks very much.

Em

[susyp]

Hi Em

Tough decision, all i would say is go with your instinct. I am admittedly a fairly neurotic mother but i tried my daughter at 2 and it didn't work (it prob would have if i had stuck with it but i wasn't prepared to go through all that pain when she was so young), she is now about to start her school nursery at 3 and i can see now that she is totally ready, so even if there is pain again this time, i know it's what she needs, i didn't feel that a year ago , i just wanted a break/thought she would enjoy it. This time I think she is very lucky to be going as really spending all her time with me even with playgroups and classes isn't enough - she wants proper little friends and independence. Quite a leap from 2-3. But saying that, going at 2 does work for a lot of children. It sounds to me that you don't think the time is right, but only you can know.

Susypx

[Belle]

Could you do a combination? so 1-2 days at nursery school, the rest of the time with childminder? or mornings only at nursery school and childminder could do the pickup?

[ClareC]

I sent my daughter for two afternoons a week at 14 mths. I was really undecided as to what to do for the best for her, the deciding factor being I found a nursery I had a really good feeling about.

The settling in was quite tough (for me but not her), however I am really glad I did it. She loves nursery and has learnt so much whilst there, the nursery is lovely and does loads of activities with her. Definitely no regrets.

[minder]

Your daughter is settled at her childminders 3 days a week. Why move her now when she isn't yet 2?

I would decline the nursery place if you're not 100% sure and re-think again in 6-8 months time.

Your daughter will learn just as much with you and her childminder during this time.

[Pickle]

If it's a proper nursery "school" (like the ones attached to primary schools) with a more structured approach where they actually do some teaching I would say wait until she's 3 - that's the age that school nurseries take children from, and the age where that sort of environment really can make a difference.

At 2, if she's happy with her childminder, I'd say stick with the arrangement you've got.

Good luck - whatever you choose to do has to be what feels right for you and your daughter.

P x

[new mother]

Might any other nursery options come through in between?

[ParentingWorkshop]

If she is happy with her child minder and is in a routine it is much better than a nursery school. I find that if the child minder is a good one and does lots of educational activities through play it is better than going to nursery because there are less children to an adult - your child will get more quality time this way.

[ClareC]

How is a childminder less children to adult?

[appers]

@ClareC - I think that @ParentingWorkshop was saying that the adult/child ratio is higher with a childminder than at a nursery. The inference being that the quality of care is better with a childminder.

[Mathilda]

Its not though is it? Both are 1:3 ratio for under twos.

[embo71]

okay just to clarify:

At present my little girl is just one of two mindees at the childminders (she believes that a 2:1 ratio is best) and when my little girl goes to nursery it will be more like 3:1, infact i think its just over 3:1

She will be assigned a keyworker at nursery but I imagine it will not be anything like the attention or emotional bond she has with her current childminder.....

I swing wildly between thinking that the nursery (which is one that I liked since the day I saw it) would be absolutely fine for her now and staying with the childminder that she has known for the past year and is like a second mum to her!?!?!

Anyway thanks for all your responses.

Em

[Smiler]

I think the cm sounds lovely and would give it another year. My daughter attended nursery from 1-2.5 and again for a few months at 3 and it wasn't right for her.

The minimum ratio for over twos at nursery is much higher, eg 1:8? 1:3 is the ratio for under twos. So cm much better there.

[katiec-o]

We had the same situation last year - and deliberated over it. Decided to keep our daughter with the childminder and delay the nursery place until she was nearly 3. I felt the practically one to one attention was something we had to take into account, more variety in getting out and about with the childminder (Nursery would have been one room plus outside space)and even with the years delay means daughter will be at nursery for 2 years. I also discussed it with the childminder and told her my instinct was we should stay with her - they did masses of arts and crafts, learning colours, numbers, animals etc - but questioned her as to whether she felt our daughter was 'growing out' of their routine. Nursery would have been cheaper (!) but I am pleased we made the decision we did! Katie