Hi there nanny here. When my oldest charge was in vacay I would stay with oldest sister who was 4 and had the younger sister who was 2. We went to story time, park, public kiddie pools, kids play museum, art class and other times we did stay at home and relax. If pick up time interferes with youngers nap, I’d sad don’t put him in the half day camp. Nanny is there and if she’s willing to do outings with both I don’t see why not

Anonymous wrote:It depends. Need more details. Will the nanny get the older child from camp on half days? Will that interfere with the youngest child’s nap? Does the 3.5 year old still nap? I am all for camp but I guess I would have kept him in Daycare. You could have pulled him out for fun days with you, the nanny or for vacation. At 3.5, my kid would be a mess with the transitions and then enter back into Daycare, after the summer, with troubles

the Montessori is probably closed in the summer. That's what many preschools do.

I think I'd NOT cram things in all day and allow him a lazy summer, even getting "bored" sometimes is good for children. That being said, a few half day camps sprinkled throughout the summer might be fun for him, as long as the nanny doesn't have problems picking him up around the 18 month olds' nap. OR doing 1 or 2 classes each week all summer could be fun for him to have something to do. Not every day, mostly I think he could have fun really just hanging out, going to the playground, using the sprinkler every single day in the summer with the toddlers in the backyard (no swimming pool, just sprinkler is plenty and is very safe), and chalk on the driveway, library once a week, etc. is enough probably. There are plenty of kids to play with at the playground!

Then a few times in the summer your nanny could do bigger trips -like to the aquarium, or a museum, if she drives or can take both safely on metro. But those are special, not weekly. I'd suggest the zoo but it gets hot around here in the summer, ugh!

This is us exactly, and I decided to send my DS to one 2 week half day camp. I am doing it in the middle of the summer to kind of break things up a little bit.

Have the nanny take both kids.

I think a couple of half days is fine if your son enjoys it. He has the rest of the week to spend time on activities with the nanny.

It depends. Need more details. Will the nanny get the older child from camp on half days? Will that interfere with the youngest child’s nap? Does the 3.5 year old still nap? I am all for camp but I guess I would have kept him in Daycare. You could have pulled him out for fun days with you, the nanny or for vacation. At 3.5, my kid would be a mess with the transitions and then enter back into Daycare, after the summer, with troubles

Your child has the rest of their lives to be social and seems like he's getting that at daycare. Only 3.5 years old. Give him the summer "off" and let him relax.

For that age, you could do a couple of half day summer camps (full day may be exhausting even if he doesn’t nap anymore) but I would only do it if you feel like he’s the kind of kid that can join a brand new group of kids/adults/new situations easily. Obviously if you’re paying for a nanny you don’t need a full time summer camp situation for him, so only do the half day camps if you think there’s something he would want to try or you think his nanny might want a break from him over the summer. He doesn’t need it for socializing, he got plenty of that in Preschool and will get that in the fall again.

What do parents do?

Our 3.5 year old is finishing up his first year in preschool (Montessori). He’ll be off for the summer vacation months. We also have a 18 month old at home with a nanny full time. Should I do summer camp for the older kid ? Half day ? Or should I look into activities and classes the nanny can take both kids? She’s happy to do latter. Trying to think of what’s best for the three year old, continued social explore with other kids or relaxed down time at home?