What would be easier on a young child?

[Miriam101]

a) Taking them out of one nursery aged 3 to put them in the preschool attached to the primary school they'll go to for a year before Reception. Will know loads of kids in Reception as more than half go to this preschool. However will have to resettle in a different setting at an age when this can be tricky.

b) Keeping them in the other nursery until they're 4 and then sending them to Reception in a setting that will be unfamiliar and where they will probably know a handful of other children (prob about 3 or 4.)

Interested in hearing people's thoughts and experiences as many many others must have been in this position before. I may be overthinking this!

I would (and did) move to the school pre school. IME they benefit from being 'part of the school' & settle in better & yes it does help to settle into friendships which lead to play dates, parents helping each other out etc.

Just to say, that for the people talking about being closer bonded and into playdates etc - if you work bear in mind that some of that might be more about the make-up of parents at the setting. I wondered if I'd done the right thing keeping DS1 in private nursery rather than moving him to the preschool linked to the school because those children seemed more bonded and knew each other well as group, but then I realised that a lot of that was because pretty much everyone using the preschool was a SAHM (it's set up to be difficult for working parents to an extent that feels deliberate!) and so they did a lot more socialising around preschool than the parents at nursery, who mostly worked, did. If I'd moved him to try and get him into that social circle I don't think it would have worked.

There was no pre school attached to DDs primary, she went to a nursery where no other kids went to the same school - absolutely no issues 😀

I kept DD in her normal childcare until she started primary school and she knew no one and it was fine. All the children from her pre school class went to schools all across the city and I'm sure they were all fine. DS went to preschool attached to the primary school he attends but isn't friends with those he went to preschool school with. So go with what works best for you childcare wise

Neither is a terrible idea but I think I'd be inclined to go with A, expecting that the more friends and familiarity to help with the transition to school would be better. That said my daughter is only 2 so no experience of school yet!

Put them in the pre school attached to the primary. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I would go with a) as there is more chance for you to make mum friends which helps with playdates.
If you go with b) they might feel they know enough other parents already and not bother so much with new parents.

And I'm saying this as I think it would be easier - I moved my 3 yo under the same circumstances and he was absolutely fine. Just like he was fine going into a kids club on holiday etc. Even the most reticent children tend settle down after a week or two - my observation.

A. I did B with my eldest and he when he joined school, clear friendship groups had already been formed and he struggled to find a place. It’s taken a good few years for him to be fully part of them. With youngest I moved them as soon as I could. He has well established friendship groups was happy to move up. They have the change anyway, the sooner the better in our experience! It also has made a big difference from my point of view. The mums had formed friendships and shared chidcare arrangements already established by the time my eldest joined. With my youngest I was in at the beginning which made it easier to arrange play dates and build friendships

I kept 2 of mine in private nursery and 1 went to the pre-school. Didn't make a difference in terms of settling in. Youngest was already on school runs since birth anyway and came with me to school events so was familiar.

In terms of playdates and friendships it's actually maybe a little limiting to go from pre-school to school and friendships change and develop. The friends DS was with at the start of pre-school are different now (3 form entry school). It might have been better to go in fresh and older.

In conclusion I don't think there is a right or wrong. If your child takes ages to settle, then maybe a pre-school is better, but if they're generally able to cope with change, keep them wherever you feel is best.

We're doing B for the second time now. Most children will be fine with either. Pick whichever option is easier for you in terms of location, drop-off etc. I wouldn't over-think it.

Move them now so they can cope with the bjgger transition of school with pals.