A few months ago we started looking at nurseries for Milo. I had originally begun investigating our options last year when I was pregnant thinking it would be like Australia where you have to get on waiting lists and it's all very stressful. Fortunately there are lots of options here (certainly where we live) so it's not very difficult to find a place. We had three nurseries to choose from and went and looked at all three before choosing Beginnings which just felt more right than the other two. It's a tough thing to do - we spent about an hour at each nursery observing and talking to the staff and trying to work out who would care for our little boy the best. Five weeks in and we are really happy with the choice that we made which is a huge relief.
The week before his official start date (and my return to work) we went in for an hour or so on three different days for 'settling in'. Basically it just gave Milo the chance to get used to the surrounds with me (and Nick on one of the days) there in case he got upset. Milo had been allocated Michaela as his key worker so she spent lots of time with him so he could get used to her.
For the first 4 weeks I took some annual leave and worked half days (11am - 3pm) so that Milo could get used to nursery and I could get used to work (more of the latter than the former I think!) Mummy on her first day back at work and Milo on his first day of nursery -
The round trip for me is about 1 hour so I left home at 10am, dropped Milo off around 10.30am and made it into work by 11 (and similar for Nick who came with us on the first day). Milo had no problems when we left him at nursery - barely registered us leaving! They say it's much easier (ironically) for them to start nursery when they are younger as the separation anxiety hasn't kicked in yet. Not so easy for the parents though and Nick and I both felt a little emotional when we left. Michaela was great and called me a couple of times in the 4 hours I was away to let me know that everything was fine. Picking him up was undoubtedly the best part of the day - it's sad to be away but so lovely to see him with fresh eyes! He'd even made us a picture -
As Monday had been a Bank Holiday and Nick looked after him on Friday at home, it was only three days at nursery that week and Milo was fine every day. On Wednesday we got footprints -
On Thursday we got some pictures of Milo playing with some water. It was an easy week for me at work too - the Test against the West Indies started on Wednesday at Lord's and I just spent the whole time catching up with everyone!
The next three weeks were much the same - another Bank Holiday at the end of May, a few days home with Nick (Fridays and Shavuot - the nursery is Jewish and closes on Jewish holidays) and no issues whatsoever at nursery. I had been worried about him drinking from a bottle (I have been expressing milk for nursery) but he was totally fine and has quickly progressed from 2 x 4 ounce bottles to 2 x 8 ounce! Hopefully when he's eating more this will decrease a bit! Every day we get a written report from nursery about his day - it tells us exactly when he slept, when he had milk and (now) what he ate (and how much), when his nappy was changed (and what was in it!), what activities he did and what developmental signs they noticed ('exploring' with his mouth, 'experimenting' with his voice, reaching for specific toys, sitting up longer etc). It's fantastic to have at least a little understanding of what he does when he's away from us and we are keeping all the reports which will be great reading when he is older!
Last week was our first week of full time - me at work and Milo at nursery (except for Friday when he was home with Daddy). Nick does the drop off in the morning and I pick him up at 5.30. For the first time ever I am leaving work right on 5.00 and it's not as hard as I thought it would be. Computer is off and I am out the door! Very easy! Milo has taken it all in his stride and seems very relaxed about everything. He's eating and sleeping fine at nursery and very well at home too. We only have a short time with him in the morning and at night but he is always lots of fun and seems really happy to see us which is nice!
Work has been fine for me - really nothing has changed so I have picked up pretty much where I left off! They have been great too - I've told them no more 10+ hour days (which was the norm pre-Milo) and they are very understanding, so it's all about prioritisation (with Milo at number 1!)
