We’d have such a great time if we could spend every day together as a family. We might take a walk in the woods, paint or colour. Or we could just have a conversation. We might not put the world to rights but POD isn’t actually three yet. She’s a great communicator though – not just with children her own age but also her peers. We’ve helped her develop these skills as have the staff at her nursery.
She started there when she was a year old. It was a tough decision but not one we made lightly. We looked at all the childcare options available and nursery meant POD had the opportunity to mix with girls and boys her own age. As you’d expect, over the last two years her social skills have increased. Nursery has also allowed her to explore her creativity, be more independent and she’s built her confidence as a result.
The Telegraph has published an article entitled “Children who spend time in nurseries more likely to develop behavioural problems”.
It related to a major study that’s been undertaken by academics at Oxford University. They’ve discovered exposure to some forms of education contributes to bad behaviour and could be linked to emotional problems, such as hyperactivity. It also identifies that children receiving childminder care are more likely to have peer problems.
The ideal scenario for children is staying at home or attending pre-school playgroups for a few hours a day. Really???
As parents we don’t place our children in childcare out of choice. We do it because we have to work. The guilt we already feel for placing our children in nursery for example is great enough already. We don’t need a study telling us what we’re doing is not for the good of our child.
Although this report will no doubt revive that existing debate surrounding childcare, surely the answer is supporting working parents?
here here honey, for most there is no choice so why make working parents feel more guilty than they do already 🙁
My sentiments exactly!
Both of my children started at nursery 3 days a week, just before their first birthday, and reading articles like that would not change my choice. I believe the nursery has offered opportunities that they were not likely to get at home, particularly as I would not think to keep observation and development notes.
I believe a parent knows best for their child and if you want to use childcare you will chose what is appropriate for your situation and your child; and what works for someone else may not work for you.
What a lovely comment, thank you Kate. Totally agree with you, POD has just thrived at nursery. She definitely wouldn’t have learnt as much if she were home with me. If that were an option 🙂
Oh and here they go again, “experts” who claim they know everything about raising OUR kids. I especially hate “experts” who claim they know our kids more than WE do. Not to mention the ones who actually can see into the future and KNOW without a doubt how our kids will turn out. Sigh.
As you know T has only started going to play school regularly. She loved it at first and couldn’t wait for the next day. Now she’s been saying “I don’t want to go to playschool anymore”. I’m wondering if it’s because we didn’t start her earlier like her other friends. She’s not as confident with other people, not as articulate as she is with us in front of other people, like most of her friends. And I honestly think it’s because we started her late. I’m hoping though that come Monday, she won’t make a fuss about going!
Thank you for your lovely comment Dean. I’m sure T will settle in just fine, like anything it will just take a bit of getting used to. It’s amazing that she’s had her time with you and that will definitely stand her in good stead 🙂
Who knows, this may be the case for SOME children but it is not the case for ALL children… My boys both started nursery at 6 months, and for them nursery was the perfect environment. Their social skills, behaviour, language, independence – everything – developed and improved, and they are both well adjusted, sociable children. The wee girl hasn’t done anything yet, as I’m not working, but as soon as she turns three and options increase, she will go too! I actually worry that she is ‘just’ at home with me… There’s guilt everywhere really, we don’t need it added to!
That’s good to know Sara and you’re exactly right that it may be the case for some. It’s great that you can have that time with wee girl 🙂
Studies like this seriously annoy me. My toddler went to nursery when he was seven months old for two and a half days a week. He loved it and adored all the other children and the social side of things. It was also arts and crafts galore there which quite frankly, I am rubbish at. I think they can pretty much dredge up any statistic to prove anything is right or wrong depending how they’re feeling at that moment in time. It bloody riles me. As parents we have enough on our plates without being made to question our every decision.
Definitely with you there, these kind of studies don’t help anyone. POD also loves nursery and does lots of crafting too – far more than she’d ever do at home 🙂
I’ve been a parent for nearly 20 years. I’ve been a childminder and I’ve worked in a nursery. I can honestly say there are children who’d be better off in a nursery than at home with the parents they have (mainly because of lack of stimulation), and there are children who’d be better off at home. Each case on it’s own merits, but there are good and bad in each, and usually it isn’t the children or the parents who are in a position to make the choices.
Thank you Jenny, it’s great to have such a rounded perspective. I can’t believe you’ve been a parent for nearly 20 years, doesn’t seem possible!
I’m very, very old. When I was a child everything was in sepia… :oP
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