AD | Collaborative post
If you are wondering if your child is too young to go to nursery, then you are not alone. This is a common and often stressful consideration for parents when they are looking at childcare arrangements. The truth is that there is no ‘right’ age for nursery. All children are different and each family has different needs.
Some parents choose to start their child at nursery due work commitments and others want their children to develop social and learning skills, before starting school. Whatever your reason, choosing to start your child at nursery can be a challenging time for both parent and child.
To help give you some guidance, here is some helpful advice from St Catherine’s School…
Most nurseries accept children from the age of three months to five years, however some pre-schools or playgroups, may require children to be over two.
If you are unsure whether your child is ready for nursery, but you would like to slowly introduce them to the idea, you could look into local parent and baby groups. These groups will provide an opportunity for your child to socialise with other children and learn through activities such as music and dance, while you are still close by.
When you choose to begin nursery is very much down to your individual circumstances, however it is important that you make plenty of visits to find the nursery most suited to your child’s needs.
Before you visit, make a list of all the things that are important to you and any questions you may have. It is also a good idea to take your child along to see how they interact in this new environment.
To understand exactly what a typical day looks like at the nursery, be sure to ask about meal times, activities and nap times (if required). This will help you to determine if their schedule will suit your child’s current routine.
Ask questions about what is provided by the nursery, for example, will food and drink be included or will you need to provide a packed lunch? What about nappies or a potty? These are all important factors you will need to consider when deciding if it is the right time to start nursery.
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