9 month old in full time nursery

Candlewax

Hi, has anyone had experience of their child going to nursery on a full time basis? I am having to return to work full time (financially we can not afford for me to go part time) when baby is 9 months. When I think about it I cry. I am dreading it. I am so worried he will hate it, or it will affect him emotionally being in full time nursery. Does anyone have any experience of this? Any success stories to make me feel a little less worried?

**professor~yaffle**

How old is he now, it doesn't sound like you are ready to go back to work yet. See how you feel when the time comes. You may find you can save money by being at home rather than forking out for childcare costs, etc

balletshoes

My little one was in full time nursery from the time she was 11 months (I went back to work full time when she was 5 months and she had a childminder for the first 6 months).
In nursery she went into the baby room and stayed there until she was 2, so she saw the same nursery staff every day, and quickly bonded with them (and they with her, her main carer cried when my daughter reached aged 2 and moved up to the next age-group rooms).

Its perfectly normal to be concerned and miss your little one when you go back to work, and don't be afraid to call the nursery if it will set your mind at rest in the first few days - they will be used to this .

My DD is 12 now, in top set for everything at secondary school, is popular, well-adjusted and sensitive to others feelings. I'm very proud of her.

wannabee_in_credit

My son went into nursery part time at 3 months and full time at 5 months. Not through choice... but it certainly hasn't done him any harm. He's about to leave there in 6 weeks, for school - having done 4 and a half years there.
He's outgoing, sociable, confident, as is my daughter who went to nursery full time from a year old.
Harder on us mums than on the little ones I think
x

Candlewax

He is 5 months now, I have done the figures over and over and there is no option to go part time. If I could I would.

Thanks Balletshoes, it really helps to hear that nursery can be positive!

Candlewax

Thanks Wannabee, I am hoping he will be fine too, I know I will be a wreck but hope you are right that it will be harder on me than him.

balletshoes

wannabee_in_credit wrote: »

Harder on us mums than on the little ones I think
x

very true .

fluffysox

Hi, I returned to work 4 days a week when my son was 9 months. Before this point I had worried about it, but about that age he was just starting to get clingy. We are lucky as my mum had him two days and the other two we chose a childminder instead of a nursery. This has worked well for us because he sees the childminder like an extra grandparent, she is very experienced and is a support for us too. Its more of a family environment and she is great if he's a bit poorly- calpol and cuddles instead of calling me home from work.
Babies adapt well at 9 months to whatever routine you choose- I think the most difficult is when they only go to childcare one day a week, most nurseries and childminders say at least 3 half days so that they are able to settle easily.
That said it is you that will find it difficult as you are bound to miss the time with your little one.

Valli

When children start their full time education those who have been socialised, either through attending nurseries, going to toddler group and playgroup or pre-school ar even going to other quality childcare such as that provided by many childminders, cope much better than those who haven't. They tend to be (although their personalities will also have an impact) more outgoing, are able to share, are properly fully toilet trained etc.

Visit the nursery first, though and make sure you're completely happy with their procedures and recording and reporting of incidents, food eaten/uneaten etc.

lilymay1

fluffysox wrote: »

Its more of a family environment and she is great if he's a bit poorly- calpol and cuddles instead of calling me home from work.
.

Just to add some balance...that is exactly what my son's nursery do. They always call me to ask/tell me they are giving him calpol but they don't try to palm him off at the first opportunity.

I think the childminder/nursery decision is a very personal one. Personally, I dislike the idea of my son going to a childminder

Candlewax

I have wondered about a childminder instead of a nursery. But we have found a nursery which appears to have a good reputation, we have visited and I was happy with it, it felt like it had a homely atmosphere. Still hard though!