Forest school preschool not nr primary or standard preschool near primary??

[mumwhoruns]

Hi folks

Perhaps overthinking this but currently looking into preschool options.

I love the idea of forest school and have found a couple near to me. Proper out there stuff. My only issue is they are not that near where my son would end up going to primary so I don't think he'd make any friends that would end up going to the same school. So I'm worried that he'd start primary a Billy no mates!

Would it be better to send him to a preschool nearer where the other children would also be going to the same primary do you think?

Glad of any experiences of forest school too.

I guess I could find some wild classes or get him and his mates into big outdoors on my days of looking after him but perhaps not quite the same?

Thanks

[HSMMaCM]

If you chose the forest school, are there local clubs he could join? Swimming, football, not sure what age Beavers starts, etc so he meets local children. DD went to a local pre school and the only children that went on to her primary with her were children she didn't like .

[BackforGood]

Just choose the best pre-school for him.
Lots of dc start school without knowing anyone else. At that age, dcs' friendships are very fluid anyway - the majority of dc at 4 will just play with whoever is alongside them, he won't be on his own because he's not been at pre-school with others.
Also, lots of the Nurseries I work with have dc going to several different schools, so, even if he did make a friend at pre-school, the other child may well be going to a different school anyhow.

[IAmAPaleontologist]

Forest school!

There are not as many pre schools as primary schools so not all children in the pre school will go to the primary not all the primary kids will have come from that pre school, there will be plenty of children who have been in full time childcare elsewhere because parents work.

[IAmAPaleontologist]

As for forest school the private nursery that ds2 was at did forest school sessions and he absolutely loved them. They did lots of exploring, low ropes courses and stuff. It was great.

[DrSeuss]

My DD (5) goes to Forest School every holiday and loves it. If it had been available as a nursery I would have chosen it.

[ceara]

Forest school! Children will go their separate ways from most preschools when they start reception and friendships are v fluid at that age.

[mumwhoruns]

Ok thanks! I think I have a bit of pfb too as just want to wrap him up in cotton wool!! I love the idea of forest school and have not heard anything negative about it so think I will go down that route then. Sure he will make friends ok like you say at primary. Just don't know what to expect as not done this before. Thanks again

[FineAsWeAre]

Forest school all the way. My son didn't know anyone at his school when he started but it's never been an issue, and he plays with different children this year compared to last year. They're very fickle at this age so don't worry :)