To send dd to preschool if I don't need the child care

[mollysmum82]

Dd is 3 and September born, so wouldn't be starting school for another 2 years. We weren't anticipating sending her to preschool till the year before she starts school but a place has just come up in a seemingly lovely preschool attached to the school we want to send her to.

The school is oversubscribed but being at the attached nursery gives you a much better chance in the admissions criteria. Dd has been with me 24-7 since she was born and hasn't had any other child care so this would be a really big thing. We're having a lovely time at home, seeing friends and doing preschool classes like gymnastics. So part of me feels no need to change the status quo. But the other part of me thinks it may be good for her independence to be without me for 2.5 hours a day and I do worry that all her peers have experienced some kind of nursery when she hasn't. I've got a 3 month old ds who gets a tenth of the time with me dd does, as she's the more demanding one, so her being at preschool might benefit him too.

She just seems so little still though and she's quite clingy with me so it would be really tough at first.

When did your dcs go to preschool? Did you feel they benefited from it? Aibu in considering it?

[BonnieBumble]

Mine both started at 2.5. I think it's easier if you start them quite young as they are too little to feel nervous in the same way that an older child might.

We have had minor settling in issues but nothing to worry about. Ds1 had proper little friends after about a term and I found myself very busy meeting up with them!

Ds2 only started this term but seems to be settling well.

[Thelobsterswife]

Of course you are not BU in considering it. I am not in your position as DD1 started nursery before she was 1 because I went back to work. What I would say is that she has just started pre school attached to a primary and she is absolutely loving it. But she will be starting school proper next year so is a bit older than yours. Could you turn down this term and start her later in the year or next school year?

[Chubfuddler]

DS didn't go to pre school until the term before reception. Massive mistake. I should have sent him at three. DD will go at earliest opportunity, no doubt about it.

[Tweetinat]

DS - 3 in Oct - just started last week. Was very worried he wouldn't settle/enjoy it (even after 1yr with a childminder he would get upset at being left with her 2 days a week) and he loves it. Come running out to tell me how much fun he's had. So much so we're considering increasing his days. So YANBU at all and DD will in all likelyhood get much out of it

[Francagoestohollywood]

Yanbu.
Give it a try, if she doesn't enjoy herself, you can re consider.
If she settles nicely, it will be a lovely experience for her, and for you.
I think back at my dd's time at nursery school (children attend 3 yrs of nursery school here in Italy) as one of her best times. She was so content.

[mollysmum82]

Aw thanks everyone that's lovely! I think I've posted this twice in a row, so sorry!