Is one pre-school session a week enough for a 2.7 year old?

[laurz75]

My son is 2.7 and full of energy. I feel he needs some more social interaction with other young children and will hugely benefit from the lovely pre-school I have found.
He had his first session last week and absolutely screamed his head off (for 2 mins) when I left. He then enjoyed his session and didn't stop talking about it all day!
Thing is I am wondering whether one session a week is enough. Would more than one help him settle faster? Does anyone have any experience of this?

[ChasingSquirrels]

mine started at 2y8m and did 1 session a week for the rest of that half-term (after Whit), he then started doing 2 in the Sep when he was nearly 3 and went upto 4 that Jan when we was 3y3m. He settles fine with just 1 a week.

[chankins]

you can always build it up slowly, depending on how he goes, that is what I've always done.

[thelittleElf]

When i was a nursery deputy we used to suggest two sessions a week, normally a tuesday and thursday, so there wasn't too big a gap in between?

But it's a very individual choice, and entirely depends on the child tbh.

[luckylady74]

sounds like he's settled well already tbh

[Smamfa]

Our kindie always offers at least three sessions a week, then up to four when they are older (only open four days per week). Some parents do two but we recommended three because they like the routine.

[laurz75]

Thanks ladies. luckylady - Do you consider him screaming and kicking at the door for two mins fairly normal then?! He's my first so have nothing to compare it to. Maybe I am expecting too much?

[happystory]

IME two sesions would be good if you/they could do it, spaced out if poss as littelfsaid. It gives them more chance to get to know the adults and the children there on his days.

Screaming when you leave is quite normal (though difficult for you!) as long as he seems to have had fun and the staff say he has been ok.

Why not increase to 2 after Easter if you can?

[zubb]

at our pre-school they always suggest 2 a week for the same reasons as thelittleElf.

[luckylady74]

hi, yes i do think it's quite normal as long as he has stopped and then enjoyed himself.It was the 1st time you'd left himand he could probably feelyour tension. It shows you've got a good bond with him! My dd1 has just started and she was fine for 2 sessions and then it sunk in that this kept happening so she yelled when i left. i hid round the corner and heard her ssay 'what are we doing now' so had no qualms in leaving. she hasn't done it since, but i have made sure to give her loads of attention and to keep reminding her that i always come back. a treat afterwards and practising nice goodbyes helped tgoo.