Help!! When/why do you Pre-school!?

[PipsWife]

My DD PFB is only 16 months, we have a Nanny share and the mother of the child we share the Nanny with wants to chat about Pre-school and what we will do in relation to the Nanny.

I really had not thought much about this, when do they go? What age? Do they need to go?

The girls have lots of interaction with other children with the Nanny and do lots of educational activities, could they just stay with her until actual school?

Is Pre-school prep for school as in learning to sit at the table, do as they are told, routine
etc?

TIA

[PipsWife]

Anyone!?

[coldcupoftea]

Relax! Some preschools take them from age 2, others from 2.5 or 3. They usually start with one or two mornings a week. It is just like playgroup really.

The term after they turn 3, they are entitled to 15 hours free at preschool or a school nursery- this equates to either 5 mornings or 2.5 days.

It's up to you if/when you want to send them. Both mine started with 2 mornings from age 2.5. I think it's good for them to experience some kind of preschool/nursery setting before school, but it's certainly not essential!

[PipsWife]

Thank you!

That's kind of what I thought but you just don't know do you. I don't want her to miss out just because I don't know.

I think a good chat with the other Mummy I Nanny share with is in order.

[TyrannosaurusBex]

Hello, just thought I would say that, working as a TA, a disproportionately high number of Reception 'High Achievers' that I see didn't go to pre-school but had a very engaged child-minder. For what it's worth!

[PipsWife]

It's good to just get a few different point of views. I read so much about baby development that I'm kind of stumped by the future steps like schooling and what to do!!

[gabsid]

Tyranno.. - thanks for that input! That reassures me that I am doing the right thing.

DD (almost 4) is going 2 mornings, because I want her to socialise a bit more with other children. She is now in an 'outstanding' pre-school, however, academically I think she benefits more being with me, chatting, colouring, reading to her, going to the playground, riding her bike, visiting museums, counting out the carrots in the supermarket, baking ..... she is now interested in reading herself, she can write her name and a few other letters ...

If she wants we will send her a third morning after Xmas.

[PipsWife]

I think that's the loose plan I had. I understand the importance of meeting more children.

Do Pre-school teach them about sitting at the table? Having to do things at set times etc?

[gabsid]

Oh, I forgot. I also send her to improve her English, as DD is bilingual and I don't use English with her.

At our preschool they all bring their lunch boxes, sit at a table and have lunch together. I think they are more likely to sit and eat with other children than at home. My DS did the same at his day nursery but they had cooked meals. Gives them a chance to socialise.

Apart from snack and lunch, there are different things going on, e.g. stories, songs, arts, role play stuff, they can play in the garden ... as well as maths and literacy sessions, however, they can choose what they want to do.

[PipsWife]

Interesting you mention languages as our nanny is French and speaks French with them. (we speak English)

[HSMM]

She doesn't have to go to pre-school, unless you feel she has a need to. The French speaking nanny sounds good. As long as she is involving your DD in plenty of fun, challenging, individual and group activities, that should be fine.