3-4yos - having a wobble about lack of nursery/preschool/class time

[AnnSmiley]

This is probably a completely stupid wobble.

DD has just turned 3. She has been with a CM since she was 8mo, so very used to childcare. For various reasons, all of which are frustrating in themselves (which might be making me more stressed about this) there are no spaces left in the local preschool for her in April.

I had really wanted her to start some form of slightly more organised/class-type structure in April, when she will be 3y4m, as it just seemed a long time until September when she starts nursery, and when she will be nearer 4. The CM is very good at taking the kids to play groups and socialising them, but I'm also worried now that DD will often be with the CM and just younger kids, as the older kids do have some time at preschool during the week.

Plus there's an added possible complication that when she starts nursery in September she might have to go from the CM to full-time nursery and wraparound daycare in the same setting. Which might seem a huge change to her.

Gah! I'm probably getting worried about nothing, but I just feel she's already ready now for that tiny bit of class structure, and am frustrated that she won't get any for another six months.

Can anyone talk me down?

[nannynick]

I have cared for children who have not started pre-school until they were nearly 4, it has not been an issue.

Nursery does sound like a big change for her but that change would happen anyway at the look of it.

Is she getting bored at groups she goes to with CM? I found that by age 4 they were reluctant to go but at age 3 they were fine going to groups and enjoyed being able to do things on their own more, not having to always be under constant supervision. In toddler group they could be left to do a painting, do jigsaws, play in the water tray without me hovering over them... I would watch from a distance.

As the weather improves, more use of playgrounds I expect so more opportunities to meet children of a similar age.

[AnnSmiley]

She's not bored now but that is my worry, that by getting nearer 4 she will be, especially if the other children the same age as her have a nursery place.

DP and I work different shifts during a week so there's no room for us to take her to any sort of class either (though she does have a sports class at the weekend).

I'm sure it will be fine, I was just sure there would be a place for her in April and it's frustrating that there is not.

[AnnSmiley]

Thanks, I will get her name down - the email back from the nursery was really dismissive and didn't mention I could do that but I will ask.

I'm less bothered by how DD will pick things up once she's there than her being a bit bored for the next six months!

I think I was getting worried as most people I know have their DC in some form of larger nursery in one way or another, either as full-time nursery care or because they've already started a day or two because they are at home with mum. DD is the only one I know with a CM. Though I have no idea why it's bothering me so much - funny what you can get wound up about in this parenting malarkey