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AIBU?

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Original poster

Sending toddler to private nursery as long as possible?

90 replies

babysnark123 · 01/03/2026 17:30

My toddler can go to free nursery next September (2027) or stay in current nursery and go to reception 2028.

I see no reason to keep them at private nursery. They would be in a room with children just turned 2 and I just think they will have outgrown the nursey. There are 31 children in the nursey room, but not all attend every day etc. They also cater for sen children, and that's included in the 31 children.

Private nursery than care is just at one place and 51 weeks a year. Wrap around care is provided term time at the nursey attached to the school and I would use holiday club/annual leave the rest of the year

Aibu in thinking that a 4 year old is too old for private nursery?

OP posts:
BlueMum16 · 01/03/2026 18:12

Did you post this yesterday? Exact same thread started in the last couple of days.

Basketballhoop405392 · 01/03/2026 18:12

Your comparing just your child's nursery. There are lots of different private nurseries that have separate rooms for baby, toddler and pre schoolers.

mammabing · 01/03/2026 18:11

Totally depends on the options available
to you. I’m keeping my DS in private because it’s a forest setting and he’ll spend plenty of time in a classroom environment in the future. Also the school I’d like to send him to doesn’t have a nursery. Neither does our second choice school

Original poster
babysnark123 · 01/03/2026 18:09

stichguru · 01/03/2026 17:43

I think I would probably move them to school nursery. I don't think children necessarily need to go to school nursery before reception, but if it would work as well and cost less why not?!

Do most people keep them in private nursery?

OP posts:
Original poster
babysnark123 · 01/03/2026 18:05

Thelondonone · 01/03/2026 17:54

It depends on the nursery and what school nursery provision is like locally. If school nursery offers full days and wrap around care then it will be popular and probably better. If it’s just the free hours then it often doesn’t work for working parents so kids stay in private.

It would be wrap around.

OP posts:
Original poster
babysnark123 · 01/03/2026 18:05

Pinkchilli · 01/03/2026 17:53

I’m not in England & kept my dc in the private nursery who had a 3-5 room. The school nursery had 60 kids and private had 20-25 kids in class if that. I think it depends on each child / nursery set up. I don’t know if this differs in England though?

They had 60 children running free in the class?

OP posts:
Thelondonone · 01/03/2026 17:54

It depends on the nursery and what school nursery provision is like locally. If school nursery offers full days and wrap around care then it will be popular and probably better. If it’s just the free hours then it often doesn’t work for working parents so kids stay in private.

Pinkchilli · 01/03/2026 17:53

I’m not in England & kept my dc in the private nursery who had a 3-5 room. The school nursery had 60 kids and private had 20-25 kids in class if that. I think it depends on each child / nursery set up. I don’t know if this differs in England though?

FreshInks · 01/03/2026 17:47

babysnark123 · 01/03/2026 17:38

Yes but I don't know what is best. Wouldn't they be better in a class full of children their own age?

Show quote history

There’s no right or wrong answer. It differs depending on the needs of the child and wider family.

WhatNoRaisins · 01/03/2026 17:45

I remember at my DC2s nursery pretty much all the preschool aged children moved on to school nurseries so I think they would have been very old for that environment at age 4. It's a valid reason for moving on.

stichguru · 01/03/2026 17:43

I think I would probably move them to school nursery. I don't think children necessarily need to go to school nursery before reception, but if it would work as well and cost less why not?!

Original poster
babysnark123 · 01/03/2026 17:38

ArcticSkua · 01/03/2026 17:36

Neither is unreasonable, either is fine. It's your choice as a parent.

Yes but I don't know what is best. Wouldn't they be better in a class full of children their own age?

OP posts:
ArcticSkua · 01/03/2026 17:36

Neither is unreasonable, either is fine. It's your choice as a parent.

Original poster
babysnark123 · 01/03/2026 17:35

Oh sorry the post doesn't make sense

OP posts:
FreshInks · 01/03/2026 17:34

I’m not sure what your question is?

I moved mine to a nursery attached to the school.

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