Preschool/Childminder or Nursery

[lightgreenglass]

I have a dilemma so thought I would put it to mumsnet.

I can either send my son (soon to be 3) to preschool for 5 mornings a week and to be looked after a childminder for the other hours that I'm at work (DS2 will be at the childminders) - I work 2/3 days a week.

Or I can put him in a nursery for 2 days a week and potentially two mornings at a week at a different preschool from the one above as they do PT places. Or no preschool and just nursery.

Which would you rather do?

What's the difference between nursery and preschool - will he still get all the learning environment? For me the biggest aim of moving him on from his childminder only setting is socialisation and confidence in groups as he can come across as 'shy'.

[lightgreenglass]

Shamelessly bumping.

[badgerhead]

As a childminder I would opt for the pre-school, childminder option. However I would not necessarily send him for 5 mornings straight off. Young children despite going to a childminder already find the transition to pre-school quite tiring on occasions and as you work part time would you rather have him at home with you the days you are around. Does your current childminder already pick up children from a local pre-school. I look after 3 children who attend my local pre- school for a varying number of sessions between them and have a very good working relationship with them

We both use the same system for Learning Journeys and have permission from the children's parents to share information with each other.
You say he is nearly three, does that mean that he will be starting school in September 2017 in which case would the pre- school be able to gradually increase the days he attends from 3 to 4 to 5 each term so as to build up his attendance.

However you know your own child best and I would look carefully at the possible settings. Does your current childminder offer the free entitlement as if she/he does you could perhaps do a shared offer between a pre-school & her. That is something I have done previously.

I notice that you say your son is shy, does your current childminder take your son to toddler groups and the like at present as that would help with his socialisation skills?