What age did your child start pre-school?

[HaPPy8]

My DD doesn't turn 3 for a few months yet but has a preschool place for 2 mornings a week from January. I would like to delay her starting until she is 3 but don't know anyone else who has done this. What age did you send your DC and would you do the same again?

[Emmam202]

I'm not sure what the difference is between nursery/pre school etc but my ds has been at nursery since I went back to work when he was 1. Personally I think it's done him the world of good in terms of socialising with other children, sharing, turn taking, etc etc etc. the fact that he might learn a bit of numbers, letters, writing etc is an extra benefit to him over and above the social aspect of it. Don't feel like you have to do anything you don't want to. You know your own child better than anyone.

[Wishihadabs]

Ds and dd both went at 2.5. In retrospect I would have kept Ds with his child minder until he was three, but his childminder was lovely and the nursery slightly chaotic.

[BackforGood]

Mine were all a bit different, depending on their CMs. They'd all gone to CM groups with the CMs though, so were used to playing with other children.
I think it also makes a difference when in the year they were born - one of my dc is a Summer birthday so was due to start school at just turned 4, whereas another is a Sept birthday, so was not able to start until she was 5, so she had much longer at pre-school.
All mine did a year in a stand alone Nursery (school hours) in the year before they started Reception, but only the Sept birthday did a year in a pre-school before that. The other two had done odd mornings at playgroups (which there were a lot more of then)

[Oblomov]

I am at a total loss as to why OP. Is she immature, doesn't want to go, frightened? Or is it you?

[BettyandDon]

My DD was 3.1 and settled no problems. She will start school at 4.0 and be the youngest so I wouldn't have left it later as she only has 1 years worth.

[Wishihadabs]

Ds and dd both went at 2.5. In retrospect I would have kept Ds with his child minder until he was three, but his childminder was lovely and the nursery slightly chaotic.

[HSMMaCM]

Don't forget. They don't have to go to pre school at all (unless there's some specific benefit for them).

[fposte]

DD started preschool 2 mornings a well a month before she turned 3, then went 4 mornings from the term after. For her it was just the right time to start as her communication skills were developed enough for a preschool environment - she hadn't been in any form of childcare before, but did attend playgroups with me regularly. I really wanted her to start earlier (probably from 2.5 or so) but in retrospect am very glad she didn't as I don't think she would have been ready.

DS will start a few days after his 3rd birthday as he is a late August baby and to start the term before (so April) would make him 2.5 and I think he would be too young.

[kimmills222]

Usully preschools starts accepting the kids once they crosses tha age of two. But it doesn’t mean that every kids are ready at this age. My son attended the preschool at the age of 3. Therefore, I would suggest that decision of sending the kids to preschool should be guided on various factors such as

1. Do you child have learnt basic skills and is independent?
   
2. Does he faces any seperating issues in being away from you.
   
3. Has he ability to ability to focus on an individual task and many more.

[Artandco]

3.2 years. Next will be 3.5 years. I don't think it's very import at all and only sent eldest so I could get a few hours work done from home easier as just one at home. Ds2 will go so I can attend some meetings in the am as eldest will be at school by then also.

In the ideal world they wouldn't probably go, and school would start at 6 years like in most of the world. I think they learn far more with home experiences and with own friends and family ( we have a busy life with Lots of flying, visiting people, exploring places, blah blah)

[MPB]

DS1 started at 2.5. Hated it cried from the moment I left to the moment I collected. Sometimes had to collect early as he was so distressed. And once he'd cried himself to sleep and was being cuddled by a member of staff.
Just not ready! So cancelled his place.
Started him at another pre school a week or so before he turned 3. He was ready/ preferred the place. Didn't look back. Although was then shy at school nursery to start with.

Started DS2 at 2.1. Settled ok initially but had various wobbles throughout his time there. Not sure how much he benefitted from it to be fair. But he is on SEN register at school for his emotional issues. E.g gets himself in a flap over things and cries / won't speak openly to staff / children.
He is absolutely fine at home / out and about with regards to speaking to others.
He does flap with me though too.

What I'm trying to say is they are all different. They don't need to go.
But it may do some good it may not.

If you don't think your DC is ready or don't want them to go. Don't send them. It isn't compulsory.

[theynevershutup]

DS started at 2.9 months for a couple of mornings a week and was fine, but DD was 3.5 months. She was a very clingy toddler and people kept saying send her earlier she will be OK. But you know your own child and at the time and I knew she wasn't ready. By the time she went, she was much more understanding that I was coming back to get her etc.

Now she is 5.8 months, in Year 1 and has had no problems settling into school, never cried when I have left her and the most sociable little girl you could meet (as is my DS). All children are different, if your DD is happy to go then send her, if not keep her at home with you for a few more months. You know your child better than anyone.

[theynevershutup]

Years, not months!

[MigGril]

both mine started at 2years 10months Both did two morning a week until they turned 3. they both lived out never looked back and settled without a problem. I wouldn't have sent them if they hadn'tbeen so happy about it. My youngest will go his full 5 seasons a week after Christmas, I'm hoping he still likes it as much then.

[Bunbaker]

DD had health issues that affected her immunity and I wanted her to be stronger so I waited until she was three and for it not to cost me anything.

It wasn't a problem at all. Just do what is right for you.

[BertieBowtiesAreCool]

DS was 3.3. I was a bit worried he wasn't ready (used to panic at playgroups etc) but actually he was perfectly fine. It was a good age for him.

[BreadRoll]

Trust your instincts- it totally depends on your child's personality. DS has a full time Dad and I had decided that he would not go to any sort of childminder or nursery till he was at least 4. It ended up being 9 months!

DS was desperate to hang out with other kids from a really early age. Almost every time he saw one his own age or a little older he would smile and laugh and try to crawl to them... and then cry when it was time to say bye. This happened almost every day. We don't have any friends nearby with kids his age, so at 9 months I put him in nursery. Just for a few hours in the morning three times a week. He is 1.5 now and still loves it.

[WoodBurnerBabe]

2 oldest started at 2yr6. No. 3 will start at 2yr1, but only 2 mornings per week. She'll do 2 years and 1 terms at preschool as she is December baby.

Most preschools here only take funded children, and either 5 mornings or 5 afternoons. I'm lucky our village one is more flexible than that (and therefore full, but village children get priority).

[vj32]

DS started just after 2 but for specific reasons - he had a speech delay - basically didn't talk at all, so way behind. He did two mornings a week to start with and settled really quickly. His speech improved immensely.