This is a sponsored post

Should I send my child to nursery?

As a home educating family this is a big question

I think I have already found my answer for Edie

I think we will send her to the kindergarten class

In our local private school

It is what I should have done for Bea

But instead we opted for a playschool

And it just did not work

Bea was not happy there

And it did not provide the structure and challenges that she craved

I can already tell that Edie has a similar need for stimulation and direction

We have visited the setting a couple of years ago

And I think it will be perfect for Edie

She will spend two years there

From the September after she turns 3

Until she is 5

Choosing a nursery is not an easy decision

Choosing whether to go to any nursery setting at all

Is a difficult choice too

And that is why I have agreed to publish this sponsored post

When the time comes for you to decide whether or not you want to send your little one off to nursery, the pressure can feel quite overwhelming. However, lots of parents don’t even get to make a choice; their financial situation or career demands make the choice for them. If you’re fortunate enough to be able to decide for yourself if you’re going to send your child to nursery, you’ll need to weigh up the pros and cons. I’ve teamed up with a pre prep school in London to explore further, but don’t be afraid to speak to your friends and family for their advice and opinions.

Arguably the most obvious benefit of nursery is that it helps prepare your child for school, which is for most young children the next stage of their life. By attending nursery school they get to experience being separated from you in an educational environment with other children and other authoritative figures. What’s more, nursery forces children to get used to a new routine; socialise and share; try new foods and lots of other general lifestyle changes. Essentially, nursery is a practise run for school, so that their first day at pre prep won’t feel like such a big challenge.

Nurseries generally have a bigger range of learning resources than you have at home, which will broaden your child’s horizons. However, if you think your child can learn just as well at home in your care as they would at nursery, then don’t be afraid to make that choice for them. It’s entirely up to you. Lots of parents worry that they’ll miss out on some of their child’s ‘firsts’ if they send them to nursery.

Lots of parents also worry that their child might pick up bad habits from the other children at nursery. While this may be true, the social side to nursery might help your child with their confidence and communication skills.

Every child is unique and the right decision for one might not be the best option for another. Many children excel in a one to one environment, so keeping them at home would be a better option. Other children would benefit more from the structured environment of a nursery. You need to have a think about what your child is like and what would be the most suitable match for their personality.

It is truly not an easy decision

And it is also not one that any one else can make for you

I am finding this to be the same with secondary education

Parents know best

But I do enjoy debate and discussion with others

About education in all it’s forms