What do you think?
Rate this book
Raising Babies: Should Under 3s Go to Nursery?
Book about raising children
- GenresParentingNonfiction
Paperback
First published March 1, 2006
15 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Steve Biddulph
110 books175 followersStephen John Biddulph AM is an Australian author, activist and psychologist who has written a number of influential bestselling books; and lectures worldwide on parenting, and boys' education. He is married and has two children and grandchildren.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 6, 2013
An empassioned plea not to put our babies into nurseries and it is absolutely justified. He cites some of the most important recent brain research and includes observations of those in the nursery business, which, after having one young child go to a nursery, only adds to the conviction that it was an ill thought out decision. In the UK the situation for young families is lamentable; you only have to look to Scandinavia to see the levels of wellbeing are so much higher. Longer periods of paid parental leave there are no coincidence. An important point is raised about the working time directive for adults, so why is it legal for a baby to be in full time nursery 8-6?! Corporate nursery: very worrying!
June 2, 2017
3.5 stars.
I found I could read this book all in one lovely summer day. Very readable and packed full of information.
For some it might be a slap in the face, because it does basically tell people that to give the best to their infants they can't put them in early childhood at a young age. A lot of other books might brush on the issues arising from daycare, but they usually follow it up with 'don't worry about it though, it's all good - whatever works for you.' If you want that, don't read this book.
Some of the notions it challenges are:
A baby/toddler needs 'socialisation' to become socially competent (actually they need a one-to-one relationship with an adult; which they almost never get in early childcare - except for the few minutes that their nappy is changed).
That the degree of care is higher from teachers than from parents (actually even the most dedicated, nurturing, and qualified early childhood teachers are never as responsive as the actual parents are, unless the child comes from an unstable home).
That early childhood environments are ideal for infants (actually they are very stressful for the child, even after they have 'settled in').
There's also helpful little summary of developmentally appropriate recommendations for choosing early childhood for a young child at the back of the book. It also talks about what high quality childcare looks like, should one choose it.
I did not enjoy one of the last chapters which outlined a number of things that were going 'wrong' with the current generation. It felt like he was mixing up correlation with causation - which is sad because it makes this interesting little read a little less credible than it would otherwise have been.
Also would love to actually see some research from New Zealand as all of this is based on UK research. But that's not the fault of the book as it's written by a guy from the UK, just wish I could find the NZ equivalent.
Biddulph also seemed to love cherry picking melodramatic case studies, which got on my nerves quite a bit. I would have been happy reading about the research and not hearing individual people's stories. But it's a pop psych book, so...
Anyway, that being said. I think it's really something you should read if you either are considering daycare for your under 3, are an under 3s teacher yourself, or an early childhood/maternity leave policy maker!
I found I could read this book all in one lovely summer day. Very readable and packed full of information.
For some it might be a slap in the face, because it does basically tell people that to give the best to their infants they can't put them in early childhood at a young age. A lot of other books might brush on the issues arising from daycare, but they usually follow it up with 'don't worry about it though, it's all good - whatever works for you.' If you want that, don't read this book.
Some of the notions it challenges are:
A baby/toddler needs 'socialisation' to become socially competent (actually they need a one-to-one relationship with an adult; which they almost never get in early childcare - except for the few minutes that their nappy is changed).
That the degree of care is higher from teachers than from parents (actually even the most dedicated, nurturing, and qualified early childhood teachers are never as responsive as the actual parents are, unless the child comes from an unstable home).
That early childhood environments are ideal for infants (actually they are very stressful for the child, even after they have 'settled in').
There's also helpful little summary of developmentally appropriate recommendations for choosing early childhood for a young child at the back of the book. It also talks about what high quality childcare looks like, should one choose it.
I did not enjoy one of the last chapters which outlined a number of things that were going 'wrong' with the current generation. It felt like he was mixing up correlation with causation - which is sad because it makes this interesting little read a little less credible than it would otherwise have been.
Also would love to actually see some research from New Zealand as all of this is based on UK research. But that's not the fault of the book as it's written by a guy from the UK, just wish I could find the NZ equivalent.
Biddulph also seemed to love cherry picking melodramatic case studies, which got on my nerves quite a bit. I would have been happy reading about the research and not hearing individual people's stories. But it's a pop psych book, so...
Anyway, that being said. I think it's really something you should read if you either are considering daycare for your under 3, are an under 3s teacher yourself, or an early childhood/maternity leave policy maker!
October 18, 2017
I wish someone had given me this before I had my daughter - it should be suggested reading in NCT groups! I had thought day nursery was beneficial for kids and had even considered putting my daughter in for one day a week to help her development even if I hadn’t planned to go back to work. Now I’ve done a complete U-turn.
Though there are things about the book I dislike (the anecdotal bits/ some claims that day nursery can’t be held accountable for solely), it talks a lot of sense and it’s based on research. I particularly enjoyed reading the middle section about babies’ brain development which was quite lovely and interesting to read.
I have since cancelled my daughter’s place at nursery and handed in my notice. Something in our society needs to change to enable more people to afford to raise their kids and work flexibly. I know my workplace have been completely hostile to the idea of even part time work for any new mums which as a school I find ludicrous - a very sad message sent to the boys and girls we teach.
This book has encouraged me to have longer off work (something I never thought I’d do!) and for my partner to share the childcare when I do eventually go back part time - also something I hadn’t even considered before.
Though there are things about the book I dislike (the anecdotal bits/ some claims that day nursery can’t be held accountable for solely), it talks a lot of sense and it’s based on research. I particularly enjoyed reading the middle section about babies’ brain development which was quite lovely and interesting to read.
I have since cancelled my daughter’s place at nursery and handed in my notice. Something in our society needs to change to enable more people to afford to raise their kids and work flexibly. I know my workplace have been completely hostile to the idea of even part time work for any new mums which as a school I find ludicrous - a very sad message sent to the boys and girls we teach.
This book has encouraged me to have longer off work (something I never thought I’d do!) and for my partner to share the childcare when I do eventually go back part time - also something I hadn’t even considered before.
June 11, 2019
3.5 stars because this book started off by making me feel guilty about my decision. When you are already torn between two decisions and someone points out the ‘obvious’ in an accusatory tone - you tend to switch off. Note: This was my initial reaction to the book’s first few chapters. And probably not the author’s intention. I enjoyed the later chapters as Steve delved into child brain development and research indicating the side effects of child care - I am not convinced 100% - correlation doesn’t imply causation. Steve argues that a child under 3 doesn’t need long hours of childcare as its not the same quality care that a parent provides. But then there is never a simple solution. You’ve got to balance it all out and whether it helps you sleep well at night (oh the irony!)
May 16, 2018
To say that’s it a must-read is an understatement!
It should be mandatory for every parent to truly understand what is best for your baby and toddler.
I’m giving it 5 stars because it’s awesome, a courageous book in our times. Thanks Steve!
I’d be even more radical than recommended in the book, my own research on the topic suggests to extend the period of staying with your kid longer than 3.
It should be mandatory for every parent to truly understand what is best for your baby and toddler.
I’m giving it 5 stars because it’s awesome, a courageous book in our times. Thanks Steve!
I’d be even more radical than recommended in the book, my own research on the topic suggests to extend the period of staying with your kid longer than 3.
January 5, 2019
I read this book whilst still on Maternity Leave with my first child. Thank God I did. I was a career girl, but gave everything up to be at home with my babies. This book is insightful, important, interesting, debunks many misinterpretation and dispels many myths of nursery being beneficial for children under 3. A must read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2021
It has always seemed strange and intuitively wrong to me that very young children (as the author writes, up to the age of 3) spend most of the day away from their parents in kindergarten. The author makes it very clear and understandable why it is not healthy for children. Of course, for many, the reality is that there is no other way - you have to earn for a living and the parents can't look after the children themselves - but at the very least, this book provides additional motivation to create the best possible environment and conditions for your children.
May 15, 2025
Under 3s should not be in daycare.
August 24, 2019
Nusivyliau. Pasirode, kad visa knyga tilptu i viens skyriu. Mintys nuolat kartojasi.
October 23, 2016
good message, well put
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews