As your maternity leave comes to an end, you may be thinking about your options and how to manage both work and childcare responsibilities. A nursery may be something that you’re considering but still not quite sure on. To help you make this decision, we have shared some guidance from a private nursery in Hampshire below.
Benefits of Sending Your Child to Nursery
Flexibility
Nurseries can offer you freedom and flexibility as a working mom, or one with other commitments. Being a parent is a full-time job and enrolling your child at nursery can give you the break that you need to be the best mother or father possible.
Socialising
Your child will be able to meet other children and adults at nursery and become familiar with social situations. Many of the games and activities that they will play will involve group work where they must work with other children. This can help them in building social skills and help them in preparation for reception.
Funding
Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for 30 hours of free childcare per week for 38 weeks of the year. This means that you can benefit from the above without worrying about the cost.
If Your Child Is Ready
Of course, you will need to consider whether your child is ready or not before making that decision. As their parent, you will know your child the best and will have some indication as to whether they will be okay being left in someone else’s care. To help you make this decision, we have a few important questions for you to think about below.
- Can your child be left with someone else without feeling panicked?
- Can they take care of their basic needs, e.g., hold their own spoon to feed themselves etc?
- Have they been potty trained?
Their Age and Needs
The decision that you make also depends on their age. Research shows that the best age to send your child to nursery is between the ages of 2 and 3. At this stage, they are less likely to feel stressed by the transition and be able to build confidence and social skills. However, this is entirely up to you and is dependent on your situation. The only right decision is the one that is right for you and your child. They may also have varying needs such as a disability. You may need to consider the support systems available and how you feel about allowing a nursery to take charge of them.