The decision to send a toddler to playschool before they turn 2 is one that many parents agonise over. Is it too early? Will they miss out on the growing-up phase? Here is what parents who took the leap have learned.

Why parents choose early playschool

The primary reason is not necessity — many of these families have full-time nannies at home. The motivation is stimulation. At home, despite best efforts, the variety of activities and social interaction with same-age peers is limited. Parents noticed their toddlers were not getting enough stimulation and decided to try playschool as young as 14-18 months.

The benefits parents report

The positives are consistent across families: children get into a routine, their speech and learning accelerate noticeably, and eating habits often improve. The social interaction with peers is something that is hard to replicate at home. Many parents describe pleasant surprises — seeing their child learn things outside the home environment that they would never have taught.

The downsides are real

The biggest con, universally reported: infections. Lots of them. Colds, fevers, stomach bugs — the first few months of playschool are a revolving door of illness. This is the trade-off, and it is worth being prepared for it.

The emotional rollercoaster

The first few days — sometimes weeks — are brutal for parents. One parent almost gave up by day 10 and questioned every life decision. But the child pulled through, which helped the parent pull through too. The universal advice: be consistent no matter how hard the initial days are.

How much time is right?

Most parents start with 1.5-2 hours and gradually increase. By age 2.5, many children are comfortable with 3-3.5 hours. Three hours seems to be the sweet spot — enough for meaningful engagement without overwhelming the child or the parent.

Missing out?

The fear of missing their growing-up phase is common, especially among partners who are not the primary decision-maker. The reality: there are enough hours in the day, plus weekends and holidays. And then there are the inevitable sick days when everyone is home together anyway. Parents who made the choice consistently say they never looked back.