What is the Best Age to Start Nursery School?
Take cues from your child and make an informed decision that works for you!
The truth is: only you will know!
Parents ask this question all the time, yet there is no straight forward answer. The idea that there is a perfect age to start nursery school often comes with pressure, comparison, and a feeling that you need to wait for a magical milestone. Instead of waiting for the ‘right age’, it can be more helpful to ask yourself some introspective questions and make an informed decision that way. What are you waiting for and why? Understanding your hesitations and expectations of nursery can help you figure out what time is best for your child.
Waiting for a Milestone
Many parents feel they should wait until their child walks or talks or is potty trained. These milestones are big, exciting steps, but waiting for them to happen before starting nursery school is often rooted in nervousness rather than fact. Ask yourself what feels uncomfortable about starting earlier. Do you worry your child will not be supported? Are you afraid they will not be understood? Nursery is designed for all stages of development, from the tiniest of tots to your chattiest pre-schooler. Early years educators are trained to understand the milestones and capabilities of every age group and support them on their learning journey. They meet your child where they are now, not where you think they should be. Starting nursery does not require perfection. It simply requires a place that sees your child’s individual needs and interests!
Work Circumstances and Family Realities
There is no one right way to parent and no matter what choice you make, it should be right for you and your child. Some families are able to stay home full time with their little one, while others rely on childcare and need to go to work in order to provide for their children. Neither choice makes you a better or worse parent! What matters is that you are doing what works for your family’s wellbeing. Nursery provides a home-away-from-home for your child; it’s not a compromise or a last resort. When you, the adults, feel supported and comfortable, the effect will trickle down to your child. Whether you stay home full time or enrol your child full-time in nursery, both paths are equally valid when it comes to supporting your child.
Sleep Concerns
Did you know that sleep is one of the biggest reasons parents delay nursery? You may wonder if the environment will be able to match your child’s routine or soothe them to sleep. Many settings, like our own, allow children follow their individual sleep routines rather than rely on a group nap time. That means if your child sleeps at ten thirty, we support that. If they need rocking, patting or a stroller nap, we make it work! Consider what feels important to you. Do you only co-sleep? Are you transitioning out of the cot and into a bed? These are conversations that nurseries have every day that are integral to maintaining strong connections and levels of support between the nursery and home. No family has every single detail figured out or that aligns perfectly, which is why nursery can help to find flexible options that will work for you and your child.
Feeding, Allergies and Routines
Food can be another emotional pause point. You might worry about allergies, intolerances or whether your child will eat without being spoon fed. As professionals in our field, we are familiar with supporting feeding, communicating with parents and keeping children safe during meal times.
Ask yourself what matters most. Do you need a setting that provides meals? Do you prefer bringing food from home? Does your child need to eat or drink milk before going home or before their nap?
All of these considerations can be discussed with your nursery of choice, so that consistency and routine are maintained throughout the day.
Crawling vs Walking
Some parents believe their child needs to walk before starting nursery, yet crawlers belong in nursery just as much as walkers! If you are hesitant, reflect on the deeper concern. Is it a question of safety, or are you waiting because you imagined nursery as a space only for older toddlers? Nursery schools are designed with safe spaces for babies who crawl, sit, wobble, roll, practice standing and walking without any fear! Early mobility and starting nursery go hand in hand, as children learn from their environment and are incentivised by their peers and through play to get moving.
Location and Logistics
Practical details are part of the decision too. The dream nursery might be only a short walk away or it might require a drive that feels a little daunting (especially with the traffic in Dubai, nowadays!). Some children find car journeys difficult and some are lulled to sleep by the gentle motions of the car. What if you are at work during pick up and drop off times? If the travel routine feels unmanageable, it is perfectly reasonable to factor that into your decision. At the same time, if the nurseries local to you do not capture your heart, it is also valid to explore settings slightly farther away. The best nursery is one that aligns with your family values!
So, What Is the Best Age?
The best age to start nursery school is the age that works for your child, your routine, your comfort level and your family life. Instead of waiting for everything to be perfect, consider what support you need from a nursery. Look at your hesitations with compassion, ask questions, do your tour and visit settings. When a nursery feels warm, communicative and like they can be a partner in your child’s childcare journey…it may just be the one! And then suddenly…it’s the right time to start.
Get in touch to book a tour of our nursery school, or book a stay-and-play nursery school session to see how your child experiences the nursery school. Or get in touch with Kid’s Island Nursery School, Dubai for any other questions you might have.