What would you do? I'm all confused!

[Nip]

DS goes to nursery next to where i work and has done since he was 5.5mo. There is a pre-school attached to the local school near my house where i would like him to go, however after speaking to them they have said he can go in April when he is 2 or in Sept.

I want him to go so that he knows some kids from the area when he goes to school, but what would you do? April or Sept?

How important is it?

[Nip]

Excuse the really stupid questions, by the way, i have no idea how pre-school works and have no-one i can ask!

[LilyLoo]

I suppose it depends on how your ds is.
My ds never went to pre school just nursery but he is quite confident and was fine.
DD is a little less confident so does two days at nursery and two days at pre school. She only started in Sept when she was 2.9 but it is only morning sessions so have had to arrange childcare round that.
I wouldn't worry about getting him in too early as they don't really play 'together' too much until the year before they go to school anyway when they turn 3.

[Nip]

He is extremely outgoing, and loves nursery, so i dont doubt that he'll be fine. But i'm just panicking that if he doesnt go, he'll miss out.

[LilyLoo]

is it feasible for him to go r/e childcare , do the hours work for you ?

[Nip]

Well it will be quite awkward because i work 8-4.30 - but it'll just mean i have to work from home in the morning - pop out to take him to pre-school - pick him up - give him lunch - take him to nursery - then go into the office. Or perhaps ask MIL to pick him up from preschool, feed and take to nursery.

Unforunately i cannot work from home the whole time

[XAliceInWonderlandX]

can he not stay at the nusery

[LilyLoo]

In that case i would leave him at nursery put his name down to reserve a place for when he is 3 for his year before he goes. Then ask at his nursery if any of the children will be going to his school as a couple did at ds's then it won't matter.
If you do decide to send him the year will be plenty of time for him to get to know his friends.
Our pre school gives priority places to those turning 3.

[Nip]

XAlice - he could stay at nursery, but i didnt know how important pre-school is

Thanks Lily - i think i'll hold off for a bit then and see how we get on. If i hear any rumours of losing a place i may have to jump back onto this!

[XAliceInWonderlandX]

pre school and nursery should be on par with each other

used to work in childcare

but not even in england at the mo

wish you luck
if your happy with arrangement at the mo
carry on

[JenT]

If I was in your position I would probably leave him where he is until September.
DS1 attended a nursery attached to the primary school from 2.5yrs he made loads of friends and now they are all in the nursery class of the primary school (aged 3-4) prior to full time school next year.
He is still very young.. if all is well where he is I would wait a little longer.