Nursery now or later

[MarjorySunshineDust]

My dd has just turned 3 and will be able to start preschool in January. This was always the plan however I am now pregnant and due beginning of February! I'm a bit worried dd won't have long enough to adjust and settle at preschool before the new baby arrives.

We have the option to pay for her to go to a different nursery now but she can't start at the preschool attached to what will be her school until January. Would it be better to get her used to being left at a nursery now, or will it do more harm if she has to switch to a new one in January and make friends/settle again?
Other option is keeping her at home until the Easter term and starting then when the new baby will be a bit older and dd hopefully won't feel pushed out.

We go to a lot of different groups and see friends during the week so I'm not worried she's missing out at the moment, and she's very confident and bright. But obviously things will be different with a newborn added to the mix!

[BackforGood]

I wouldn't start her at one place for a term and then swap her and then have a baby.
I'd either stick with plan A, or start her after Easter, or start her at the other Nursery and leave her there until she moves to school.
Personally I'd probably let her start Nursery before the baby as it gives you a few hours with just the new baby when your dd won't be there.

[MeTimeOrSleep]

This is my first mumsnet post (newbie!) but I always get myself in such a knot thinking about nursery/play school for my two (now 4 & 2) that I wanted to reply. I would say keep her until Easter. You're right about having too much change all together if you start her in Jan but I wouldn't swap after a term. If she's social now already then you're not holding her back by waiting till Easter. By then she might be ready for something new & exciting that's "hers" rather than her siblings.

[MarjorySunshineDust]

Thanks for the replies! I am leaning towards waiting until later. It's not going to give her long to settle in January, especially if baby arrives early. I only lean on sending her for a couple of mornings. My inlaws are going to be here around the due date (they live abroad) so will be able to take dd out to give me a break then my mum often has her for a morning. Plus won't be forced to leave the house early on those cold February mornings!
I guess I was feeling the pressure to get her started because everyone around here seems to start their children at nursery early!

[ODog]

I'm in a similar-ish position. DS could have started pre-school in June (our one allows them to start as soon as they are two but not funded until term after they are 3) and DD was born in May. I chose not to send him and he still hasn't started. Everyone said I would want the time away from him with just DD but I haven't felt that at all. DD tags along to his playgroups/activities etc in the sling and sometimes has a little 'play' herself. Their bond is really strong (as much as it can be with a 4mo and a 2yo), I feel very bonded to DD and DS hadn't felt shut out. I'm planning on playing pre-school by ear but probably won't start him until next September.

[RootTeeToot]

I would keep her home till after Easter (and I'm a nursery teacher) as I think it will make your life much easier. Pootiling around together will be far nicer than school runs.

[MarjorySunshineDust]

That's reassuringly thank you both! Will try to relax about the whole thing and see how things look once dd2 is here.

[Artandco]

Yes I say after Easter also. Means you have until end April for around 2 months to settle at home with baby and morning routine first, so if your tired etc 3 year old can have a pjama day if needed