I'm looking into pre schools / nurseries for Imogen, maybe one morning a week. I think she needs the social aspect and seperation from me. Does anyone send their little ones to pre school or nursery just for this rather than actual need for childcare. I feel like if I can look after her I should (I don't work) but I also really think she needs this for her development. Would you say one morning/afternoon a week is enough or just a waste of money/time?

Also how do I find out about pre schools/nurseries? I've googled searched and found one nursery and 2 pre schools. The pre schools dont take children till 2yr 6months so really my only option is this one nursery, we're visiting on Wednesday. Surely there's more in the area? Is there a local goverment list somewhere?

instead of nursery how about a toddler play group you could both go to (usually free or a lot lot cheaper than daycare!! I would say that just 1 morning a week wouldnt really be worth it (i used to work in day nurseries) mayb 3 mornings mon wed n fri

Im not sure about government run places as i just worked in the private sector (never again)

Hope u find something u both like and not too expensive XX

we used to go to toddler group, need to start going again but Imogen's got into this shy phase of just clinging to me and making me do everything with her and not talking to anyone but me so I really feel she needs to be somewhere on her own.

thanks for replying x

Hi

I'm still a few months away from this but both of my older two went to play group. It was based in a church hall and it cost £2 per session and was three mornings per week (10-12). As far as I know this is still running in my area so i have every intention of taking Ellie once she gets to two. They do have to be potty trained and over two. You just drop them off and then pick them up at the end - its bloody marvelous! I used to go shopping to the gym or sometimes I used to go home and slob in front of This Morning!!
My son used to cry a bit at first but he did get used to it and made some very good friends - he's still friends with those girls and boys now and Im still friends with their mums.

Hope you find something - sorry I dont know how to find out about it though

xx

That sounds great. The kind of thing I'm looking for. Doesn't seem like there's anything like that available though, will have to keep looking.

I am planning on putting H in pre-school from Sept just one morning a week to start with and see how he gets on x

I have thought about this with e. She's only ever spent a few months in nursery whilst I worked and she developed night terrors so I do worry about her going to preschool without having been away from me. I've started to look into it and I don't think it's a bad idea. Would also give you some time with bubs when he arrives x

We have a local Family information service and they hold lists of all the local childcare provisions (including playgroups) in the area. IT's how I found details for nurseries for Sophia.

Just looked it up and theya re all over the country. Could see one for bedfordshire but the did have for hertfordshire and buckinghamshire if either thise counties are enar enough to flitwick? (sorry, not too good at goegraphy!) Actually just found one for central bedforshire too so hopefully that will help!

The main website is www.familyinformationservices.org.uk
and the bedfordshire site is www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/fyis

Hope is helpful,

MAndy xx

had a look on the site and it led me to this

http://search3.openobjects.com/kb5/centralbedfordshire/fsd/results.action?category=2&nh=10&location=38

Hope link works

MAndy x

I wanted O to go to nursery/playschool for the very reason to mingle with others his own age and develop his social skill etc. He loves being with other kids and we did go to tots groups 2x a week and met with some mummy friends once a week too..but he just got so bored of being with boring me
I don't work either, and tbh..i'm bored silly when he's there lol but at the end of the day - i'm doing it for him

I got intouch with my local council and they sent out a full list of tots groups, child care, childminders, nursery, playschools, primary schools and so on. I should imagine its similar to what Mandy's posted above ^^^^

Also, have you checked direct gov website? they have a list on there for your area and all the ofsteds etc. Also netmums local?When I was little my mum used to put me in a playschool run by the local salvation army - so if you have one of them near you..you could always try contacting them too to see what they offer.
Also, I know you say Imogen is going through a shy phase I would try the tots groups again..she may stick to you for the 1st few session..but intime she'll be off investigating..also it'll be a nicer transition when you find a nice playschool for her

Another option is to send her to a childminder a couple of times a week. Wil gets out and about with his and has made some great friends.

Thank you Mandy that was exactly the kind of site I needed!

Zee, you're right I need to get back to toddler group, just finding it an effort to go anywhere atm.

I would say that one morning a week probably isn't worth it. Tylers been going to nursery for a fair few months now not because we needed him to go but because he needed to be better at socialising, he used to go mon wed and fri mornings and he got used to being away from us and being with other children etc but the change in routine every day used to mess him up when he was with us, so he now goes Mon to thur and has Fri sat and sun at home.

Im hoping to keep this up when I'm on maternity leave because it's good for Tyler to be with other children x

ShellandImmi wrote:

Zee, you're right I need to get back to toddler group, just finding it an effort to go anywhere atm.

Sorry hun, I didn't mean that to sound like a dig I can understand it must be hard for you running about after a toddler and being pg too

Zee wrote:

ShellandImmi wrote:

Zee, you're right I need to get back to toddler group, just finding it an effort to go anywhere atm.

Sorry hun, I didn't mean that to sound like a dig I can understand it must be hard for you running about after a toddler and being pg too

Oh no I didn't interpret it like that at all! don't worry

ShellandImmi wrote:

Zee wrote:

ShellandImmi wrote:

Zee, you're right I need to get back to toddler group, just finding it an effort to go anywhere atm.

Sorry hun, I didn't mean that to sound like a dig I can understand it must be hard for you running about after a toddler and being pg too

Oh no I didn't interpret it like that at all! don't worry

Phew

sorry if my reply seems standoffish, I've been getting really annoyed at myself for not getting out there and going to groups.

Don't put pressure on yourself hun,..Your in a new area arn't you? its going to take time to get out there, and getting to know a whole new area.
I find soft play good, cos you can chill with a coffee whilst Immy goes off to play, and sometimes you get chatting to other mummys that you find are in the same position.
Don't get annoyed with yourself hun. xx