2 year old unaccompanied - too young?

[LeahH]

What made it easier for me and my daughter was that the teacher was the same for the accompanied and unaccompanied class (made sure we booked a slot with the same person).

I knew that it was familiar ground and that she would feel comfortable. I am less happy at the thought of the next 'phase' this September when she is 3. New school, new teacher, so feel for you.

 

[joyofliving]

Starbucks2 there is a new montessori preschool/ kindergarten opening in April in Discovery Bay this month. Might want to check it out

 

[shoni]

I rang the new montessori full of hope as it claims to be a bilingual montessori, but in truth the Mandarin teacher is not a qualified montessori teacher and there will only be 2 teachers to 20 children, aged 2. All children are expected to be potty trained. And the person I spoke to on the phone did not seem very organised or well informed. I asked for an email with information will keep everyone posted.

I know there is a factor in playgroups as well as the capability of the child. My friends child had a horrendous time going alone to one playgroup but was fine the following week at a different one....

PM sent

 

[carang]

as someone who has taught various playgroups for almost 15 years, i can tell you:
1) the kids almost ALWAYS cry at least for the first few classes
2) the kids ALWAYS stop crying within 5 minutes of their mums leaving (in 15 yrs, there has only been one exception)
3) it's the MUMS who are not ready to leave their kids
4) the mums usually, inadvertantly cause more tears by their reactions to the child's tears (give hope that if the child cries enough, they will be taken home... mum's reacting badly so that the kid feels worse being left)
5) if you act as NIC did, and give hug, say matter of factly that you will be back in a while, see you later... the kids get over it faster once in the class room

good luck! it's a tough decision, but one only you, the mother, can make. it has to come at a time when YOU are ready otherwise it could cause more tears.

(ps> caps for emphasis not meant as shouting)

 

[hbw10]

funny, my son is also a late talker ( think it's typical for boys)...he says 2 words together now at 26 months which i am fine with as i am not going to push him. i know he will talk when he's ready, but i actually think enrolling him in nursery earlier would have helped his communication skills......

 

[starbucks2]

Thanks everyone. Lots to think about.

SB2

 

[hunhun_l]

In other places such as Japan, US, etc, kids go to daycare earlier (even before 1 year old), they are fine; just in HK, the earliest time seems to be around 2 yo. The kids will be taken care of (whether they can talk or not), assuming the teachers are good. I think kids can cope with it, but it's good or not for their long-term developments is up to each parent to decide.

 

[sharrie_t]

My daughter went to daycare 2x a wk, 4 hrs per session, when she was just over 12 months. She cried for a few minutes for the first few times. She was fine for a few months. When she moved up a class, she started crying again but this time it went on for a few weeks. Looking back, it might be the carers who were not able to provide enough attention to the younger ones in the class. It might be the low number of adults to the number of children they cared for. So, you have to look out for the signs.

She's 28 months now and has been going to a new nursery for 3 months. She's loving it. It's a small nursery and the carers are far more attentive and ...caring.

It's really about finding a nursery that you and your child are comfortable with. And managing separation anxiety. I feel that it's good for the child to socialize with other children knowing the parent isn't around to support or back them up. It encourages independence from a young age.