What age is it okay for a child to start nursery?

GDB2222

I'm a grandfather, and our children were at least two years old before they started nursery school.  What is usual these days?

sammyjammy

There is no usual, its up to individual parents and their circumstances, I know of a baby that went to full time nursery from three months old, some children never attend nursery.

Brie

I've known single moms who have needed to put a baby with a child minder/nursery asap as their maternity leave was ending.  Some have been just a few months old.  But it will depend obviously on personal circumstances - what's the family setup, what other support they have (grandparents babysitting if both parents are working), what in home support they can afford (nannies etc).  Add to that what support an employer gives - some extend maternity leave to a full year but many mom's head back to work before then.  

tooldle

Mine went to full time nursery at just over 4 months. My employer at the time despite being a large UK manufacturer, employed very few women, and hence maternity leave was paid at statutory rates for the statutory minimum time period, which in those days was 18 weeks. 
We didn't experience any difficulties and our child thrived.

LightFlare

Grandson started at just under 12months part-time. At 15 months old, he is now full time.

He is thriving

sheramber

My grandson went to nursery from 9 months old.   But it was a nursery, not a nursery school,  which is from 4 year sold.

carly

I am also a grandparent who was a stay at home mum with my own children.   I did have some initial concerns about my grandchildren having to use a nursery from around 12 months old,having no up to date info about how nurseries are run these days.   I have to say that I was wrong, and that all my grandchildren have thrived and developed so well emotionally and in every way possible at nursery.   They have experienced so much more and learnt so much more than I would have thought possible.   They started school as happy confident rounded little people. 

GDB2222

Thanks everyone! You have set my mind at rest.