I will have to say I don’t think kids get brainwashed at nursery nor agree that kids that don’t go to one are missing out. Parents should so whatever works for them and their children and that will look different to every parent.
I could afford to send my kids to nursery but could also afford not to go back to work and look after them myself and I’m glad I did just that. Both my girls, 5 in kindy and 7 in year 1 (we now live in Oz), have both always been well ahead all their classmates. Miss 7 has been top of her class 2 years running, miss 5 is top of her class this year. I know this could change and I don’t mind either way. It just tells me I must have done something right and I’m happy about my decision to enjoy every minute (even though some were hell!). Their speech has always been a year or two ahead of their peers, so have their social cues, manners, behaviour and even problem solving.
So again…staying at home is not holding a kid back and sending to nursery doesn’t make brainwashed kids. Every child is unique, we all parent different ways…what works for one may not work for another.