Mumsnet Talk

DD is 3. Started at sessional playschool last summer and does 3 morning sessions a week. She seems to enjoy once initial parting is over. It is very informal and play-based which is why I chose it as I think it is best at 2 and 3.

I had originally expected that next, Sept when she is nearly 4, she would start at the pre-school attached to local primary. However seems this is very unlikely as massively over subscribed.

So now we have the choice to leave DD is for a further year or move her next Sept for one year and then again to start school a year later. I am reluctant to move her, on the other hand I feel that she may ready for more learning by next Sept. She is pretty bright and keen to learn - already counts to 100, reads all letter and some words. Though equally I don't want to get to far ahead as think she'll end up bored when school starts.

Any opinions or advice?

Whether you leave her where she is or move her to the school pre-school or other pre-school they will be following the same EYFS "curriculum". (which is followed in Reception too).
Although different settings may use slightly different methods, they will all be promoting "learning through play".

If she's happy in her current group and you have no strong reason to move her (e.g. she might meet children that she would go to school with), I would leave her where she is.

I would leave her where she is too. Moving twice is unneccessary disruption. As redskyatnight says, they will be following the same curriculum anyway. My dd1 was like yours, ready academically for school a long time before she could go. I just encouraged her with those activities at home, especially things which are actually useful at school, such as writing her name. We also did a lot of practising getting dressed, turning clothes in the right way, using the toilet independently etc as this is what will help when they start reception.

As far as getting to far ahead is concerned, I have found there is a huge range of abilities in reception. DD1 is certainly not the only one who can read and write pretty well, but equally there are plenty who can't and it doesn't seem to cause too many problems.

Thanks for the replies - I think I am coming to the same conclusion, to leave her where she is. I might keep it to 3 days for this year so we can do other activities at home and maybe a class or two (she already does gym) and then up to 4 days when she turns 4.

Guess this is just the start of my schooling dilemnas!