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Do you think early education benefits our children? Are some parents sending children to establishments that educate their children for child care reasons or to give them a head start for school. Has anyone any experience or knowledge of the education system in other countries, are they providing a better system for their young children? Finally are children allowed to be babies, toddlers, infants anymore????. I'd be really interested to know other peoples thoughts on this issue

Hi Martina!
Personally, I think it's important to pre-educate your children as early as possible but people do over-do it. If a child is interested, then teach them, but it shouldn't be forced otherwise I think that's when the clever kids become badly behaved.
I also believe that a child should be a child for as long as possible. They do seem to grow up too quickly these days and we all know how fast your childhood goes anyway! I still don't quite beilieve I'm an adult with a child of my own!
I don't know anything about education in other countries but I do think we have a great education system.... well, for those who have money. It's a shame that the only good government funded schools in London & the suburbs are church schools. This means I'm going to have to get my baby christened into a religion I don't believe in, just so she can go to the best schools! See, I believe in another life and in God, but I don't believe in Religion! Terribly hypacrytical, I know!
I hope my babble has given you my view!
Nicola xx

I think it depends what you mean by early education? If you mean stimulating your child by reading to it and playing with it and encouraging it to learn then I'm all for it. As long as the child is obviously enjoying learning then it can't be bad. A lot of working parents don't have much choice other than to put their children in child care and generally I don't think it's bad thing for them to be with other children and trained staff as long as they know that they are loved by their parents and they have a stable home to go back to.

to Ola and Anna - thanks for your views. It's very interesting what we parents will do for our children!!! Please anyone else out there have you any opinions. Where I live there are a few voluntary Pre-schools, private pre-schools and those attached to schools, but waiting lists are huge. No other early education or special schemes to stimulate and pre -educate toddlers, babies or children prior to going to school, like I have heard of in America. Then when you look at other countries where children do not start formal schooling until 6 or 7 they seem to fair much better....which is the right way??

If I knew the right way to bring up children, believe me I'd write a book and make a fortune! Unfortunately there are no guidelines, we all do what we think is best within the limits of our means and most children grow up ok. None of us is perfect and our children probably won't be either as long as they aren't axe murderers or serial killers I'll be happy!