I heard in the news that approval has just been given for the country's first ever 24 hour nursery. It is located at Balby in Doncaster.

Don't we leave our children for long enough periods without being given the option of leaving them overnight as well?

The argument in favour is that there is a demand from shift workers. Well if I was ashift worker and it meant that I had to hand my child over to a.n other for what probably works out as 16 hours per day then I would change my job. I assume that a night shift would be 8 hours followed by the necessary sleep the following day.

Lets not also forget the parents who will shove the kids in the 24hr nursery while they go out on the tiles. The possibilities are endless.

We are hearing about the importance of the family and the need to spend time together so is this really the way we should be going? No wonder children are starting school without the ability to speak, to recognise their names and perform basic social skills such as using a knife and fork.

I think it's a good idea, parents should be able to have a night off every now and again, and some don't have friends/familly to leave their kids with.

Isn't a qualified nursery worker a better person to leave your kids with than the 14yr old next door? No matter what you're up to?

It's difficult enough deciding what to do with our dog when we go anywhere (day or night), let alone working out what's best for a small child.

Originally posted by nick2
I think it's a good idea, parents should be able to have a night off every now and again, and some don't have friends/familly to leave their kids with.

Well perhaps they should have thought about that before they had kids.......

Originally posted by Mo
I heard in the news that approval has just been given for the country's first ever 24 hour nursery. It is located at Balby in Doncaster.

Don't we leave our children for long enough periods without being given the option of leaving them overnight as well?

The argument in favour is that there is a demand from shift workers. Well if I was ashift worker and it meant that I had to hand my child over to a.n other for what probably works out as 16 hours per day then I would change my job. I assume that a night shift would be 8 hours followed by the necessary sleep the following day.

Lets not also forget the parents who will shove the kids in the 24hr nursery while they go out on the tiles. The possibilities are endless.

We are hearing about the importance of the family and the need to spend time together so is this really the way we should be going? No wonder children are starting school without the ability to speak, to recognise their names and perform basic social skills such as using a knife and fork.

Its actually abit of a myth this whole 'we dont spend as much time with our kids nowadays' argument. Although more women work now than the 50s - 'Millenium' parents actually spend MORE quality time with thier kids than ever before. This should mean that this generation should be the most well rounded, loved yet......

I don't like the sound of it. The kids should come first.

I suppose a 24 hour nursery would be beneficial to those parents who work shifts. I don't like the idea of it being used as a dumping ground for kids whilst their parents go out on the tiles.

My son went to nursery whilst I was at university for five hours a day when he was two years old. The staff were excellent and my son was really well cared for in a safe environment but the idea of him having his bedtime story there and sleeping at a nursery rather than in his own bed doesn't appeal to me.

I believe mothering should be a career decision, but who are we to comment on individuals' circumstances without knowing the ins and outs?

We have a go at people who choose to scrounge off the state on here, so what's the alternative?

What is your opinion of a single father who works shifts?

Not every child has a grandma to take over when mummy is ill.

I guess single parents (male or female) would benefit most from this kind of facility.

The 'ideal' is that kids are brought up in safe, stable and loving homes with all the basics of a warm home, ample food and clothing. But, the reality is not always the same. Working is essential for many people who want to improve the lot for their children. If this means having somewhere safe and secure for their children to be looked after then what's the problem?

Surely it is better for them to be cared for properly than be 'latchkey' kids? In a nursery they have the opportunity to mix with other children and learn the very necessary social skills for good development.

Like anything, a system like this could be misused - although I can't help but think that those constantly partying parents you're imagining who are so desperately irresponsible, probably wouldn't pay to put their abandoned little darlings in the nursery when some other kid could do the job for less; however, I also can't see how it can be wrong to provide an alternative safe place for children if their parents... need to work shifts ...have an emergency and cannot find a babysitter ...have the odd night out for their own sanity and would rather leave their child with professionals ...are really irresponsible but at least they are leaving their children in safe hands ...etc.

Who honestly believes that in order to raise smart, well-balanced, loving children you have to be with them 24 hours a day??? Working, having a life, social skills...these are good examples for our children, surely. (If not taken to extremes, granted)

Anything that can make parents lives easier, and children safer, sounds like a good thing in my books.

Cosy:rolleyes: