5 reasons why children should go to nursery -

Since becoming a parent I seem to have become apart of a lot of parenting groups . A lot of the time if I’m honest I just scroll on past and don’t really read many of the posts . Mainly because they are parents posting pictures of a rashes asking what is it . Now I’m now Doctor so I don’t like to put my penny’s worth in just incase someone takes my word for it .I have however seen a lot of posts over the last few months about nurseries . If people send their children to nurseries . You may not know but I have worked in childcare for nearly 10 years . So I’m a big advocate of sending children to nursery . So I thought I would share with you the reasons why I think children should go to nursery.

Time away from parents

This first one I only really understood the need for it since having Alby . Children need to learn how to cope away from their parents. Alby was such a clingy baby before going to nursery . He would only want me which was so tiring for me and must have been frustration for Jordan . As he would try his best to soothe him but all he wanted was me .

Since going to nursery he has changed so much in this area . He will have cuddle and be soothed by others . It’s as if he has learnt mommy isn’t the only one that can make him happy .

Socialisation

Children are social creatures but unless they have the opportunities to be social they won’t know how to use this skill . I believe that a wide range of social opportunities are important for children . So playgroups , play dates and nursery . Give children a good mix of social opportunities where they can learn how to navigate different social situations . Both with and without their parents.

Just think about it how they learn to socialise as a child will follow them into their adult life . I want my children not to be scared of social situations to just take whatever comes their way in their stride . Hence the reason why I take them to all different places and makes sure they speak when they are spoken to.

Also when they get older children can make lovely friends at nursery that they may even go to school with . So at least they know when they start school it may be a scary thing for them but they will have their best friend with them .

To get messy and have fun

Now don’t get me wrong I am a lover of messy play but there are somethings I just wouldn’t do at home . I hear so many parents say that’s what nursery is for . They are so right that is what nursery is for . Nursery can enable children to explore so many different things that us as parents who never dream of doing at home.

To get them ready for school

Going to school is such a big thing for children . This is why I think it’s so important for children to use their 3 year funding and go to nursery . Nurseries are fantastic for getting children ready for school . Not only academically but emotionally .

one thing that children learn form nursery is routine and boundaries away from home . Getting them used to following a routine early will really help when they go to school . I also think sending children to nursery for a full school day is a good thing especially in the last term before they go to school . As they will get used to being somewhere for a longer period of time .

Time for parents to be themselves again

One of my main reasons for sending my kids to nursery is so I can go to work . Selfish it may seem but I just wanted to be myself again and not just mom . I find having some time away from my children recharges my batteries ready to take it on again . So they actually get the best of me and not the worse.

I will add though that I don’t think children should be in childcare all day everyday . I think a balance is important . As fantastic as nursery staff are children need their parents. They need to feel safe and secure and loved within their home environment.