You don’t have to if you don’t want to 🥰 However, I personally think nursery is so so great for them. They require so much stimulation for a healthy development and I just think it’s a lot more than anyone can give 24/7. It’s healthy for them to be around other people, develop attachments to other people, and for you to have a break too. My boy started at 9 months and now goes for 3 days a week. He started walking around a month after starting, his speech for a 14 month old is brilliant, he’s so sociable and confident. He absolutely loves nursery and the workers there. As it’s always been you & her she probably will get a little upset at drop offs, but it is very normal and doesn’t take long for them to adjust to it x
I think the longer you leave gonna be worse for her and you. If you say about it just being you two the more they get older the more they become aware. I’ve had a few cries leaving her when she’s got upset. But she loves it now and her speech omg she just don’t stop talking since she’s gone x
You don’t have to if you don’t want to, my first started at 3. That still gives a year untill school. However given the opportunity I would tbh for the social aspect. I have a 2 year old now, not eligible but i wish.
The nursery where I registered my soon to be 2 year old offered me stay and play sessions for a couple of weeks when he starts. This sounds like a good idea, and it will make him used to people and kids there.
Hopefully this makee you feel a little better my son only cried the first day to be honest it was much of a cry after that he stopped and next day onwards started to get better and more happier not long after that he used to be looking forward to it he’s been going since he’s 2 he’s 3 now it’s understandable on the First week new routine but guess me they will benefit from it both of you also there’s a app the nursery uses called tapestry im not sure if they have already mentioned this they give you your own login details so you can access it from home they add updates of your child’s progress and what they have been to during the week :)
My son is at preschool and he cries most days when he goes in, I hate it but I know he has a great time. I feel like it will prepare him for school, because whilst this is optional, school isn't. My son had always had a bit of separation anxiety but I know he needs to do these things. It's not helped for us currently as we just had another baby and my husband is home too so I think he feels like he's missing out
Initially it will be hard for both of you it’s a big adjustment! And it’s totally fine for you to be more nervous! We had a few tears for the first few weeks (she went 3 days a week). She goes 4 days now and she LOVES it. She does so much more at nursery than we could at home - and socialising more with people her age - I’m not a fan of baby groups. We picked one that spends a lot of time outside as we didn’t want her to be stuck in a room all day. So she’s out look for bugs/playing in the orchard, climbing trees. Don’t get me wrong I miss her when we aren’t together but to have see. Her confidence grow and getting involved in everything.