Switching to school nursery? Advice wanted

[Tigerr8]

Youngest is about to turn 3 around christmas. Currently attends private nursery that her older brother did from when I returned to work after having him! Hes now in school and it is good, the staffing changes have unsettled me a bit.

Within the past year there was the manager change, as the other left after a long time (to move) so there was a short period of time where a room lead was acting manager while they hired. New manager is great but ive noticed across rooms a few are off on sick leave. Obviously all have something up and working in a nursery you are so physical its not like my job im an office worker and work from home mostly so I get this but there's been some agency in which is fine as they're db's checked and fully checked

But I am a bit unsettled that its different people every know and then and with ds it was all the usual staff who knew him etc. The changing of faces I feel is unsettling DD as they say she's quiet and holds back a bit when she's actually our more confident child

We have spoke about sending her to school nursery when she's 3 as itd be the same place as big bro so that'll help her settle and shes so mature for her age and smart. She'd do great. But i feel like she's a baby still!! Haha

Someone reassured me school nursery is fine and will be so great for her? I feel my heart is telling me to do this. Feel a bit unsettled about the what seems constant change in current nursery and school nursery would be great to prepare her for the school too

Another thing to add is i will be putting a work request in to change from part time to term time working so we would (hopefully but my managed is positive itd be approved) all be on the same schedule!

We went to a school nursery and it was so beneficial for our little one who absolutely blossomed

What do you think it was about the school nursery that helped @Frostynoman?

Their previous setting was not great toward the end with too many babies and it felt like they were phoning it in using screens etc. They were ready to do more engaging activities and thrived on the structure and continuity and was just ready and raring to go. They loved their timetable and sports and arts and learning. A school nursery is more regulated than a private one so there is that part of it too which I feel gave a better offer overall

Yes im quite worried about the private setting due to like the say some permanent staff on long term leave and agency staff in , worried they'd use more screens to help etc

What's the main intake for the school nursery? At ours it's mostly children who will start school the following September so it can be quite disorienting for children in the lower year as 90% of their classmates leave in September. I'd avoid putting a child in that particularly nursery for other than the year before school. If your school nursery is more mixed, that might not be a consideration.

Can she definitely go at 3? It’s common (in England) for them to start the September after they turn 3 and to do only one academic year at the nursery before moving up to reception. Might be worth checking if she can start soon, and if it is allowed, how many kids actually do this so she’s not the only one repeating the nursery year whilst the rest all move on to reception. But for next September, if you’re working term time only and she has a sibling at the school then I think it would be a no brainer to move her.

My child started private nursery when he was 14months old. It was amazing for the first few months, but around his second birthday- staff was changing almost every week, I couldn't literally tell who was a key person for my child as I use to receive multiple emails during a week about "changes". They were literally keeping kids on screens all day or eldest kids were just left outside "to enjoy good weather ". We moved to school nursery and it was amazing- routine, structure, permanent staff. My child changed overnight, it became way easier with routine, meal time ,etc at home too.

Changes really are just life.. Happens all the time. A nursery is mot a training group round8 for reception.. any nursery worth its salt will mske this perfectly clear. A school nursery should be exactly the same.

We moved our little girl from a private nursery to the school nursery at the start of this year, and honestly, she’s come on leaps and bounds since making the move.
She really seems to thrive on the routine and structure, and she absolutely loves her teachers. At private nursery she used to cry pretty much every day when we dropped her off, whereas now she just walks straight in without a second thought.
I also really like that they get to use the school environment — they go into the school dinner hall and have playtime with the Reception children, so they get used to the whole school set-up before starting properly.
Her sister also went to the school nursery and then started school with lots of the children she already knew. She already knew her teacher and was familiar with the school, which I think made such a difference compared with some of the children who had come from private nurseries.
Obviously every child is different, but for us the school nursery has been a really positive experience and I’d definitely choose it again.

Council nurseries are generally much better than private. Private are a business at the end of the day so it's in their interest to not provide good resources and pay staff minimum wage.

I can’t comment on private nursery but our little boy went to pre school a couple of days a week from when he turned 3 and it’s been great! It’s meant that I’ve got to meet a lot of the mums ahead of him starting reception and his transition into reception this September was so easy and a lot less emotional than it would have been otherwise as he kept the same teacher, same friends and had already been wearing the uniform.

He had never been in any sort of childcare before this so I think the fact it was such a positive experience for us is testament to how good they were with him.

What do think will be different. Staff are off sick all the time and move from nursery to nursery. It is no different if it's a school nursery or private.
the private offer better care as it's less paper work and staff spend more time being with kids.
council is all about the paperwork and looking good on paper. Sometimes it feels like kids are an after thought.
i do know what I am talking about I've done nursery for 26 years.

I've had one that didn't go to school nursery and one that did

Pros
School nursery has a qualified teacher leading which can be really positive (especially as key workers can vary hugely)
Still lots of play and fun
Getting a taste of school structure
Get to be in the same setting as older siblings
Both you and they will meet some people they will progress through school with
Makes transition to reception a little easier

Cons
For us, we lost a really nice environment where they did lots of outdoor play, with a lovely forest school experienced key worker
Holiday clubs don't really exist for 3 year olds in many places.
Check that they will be able to attend after school club/breakfast club if needed as not always the case (for us they did and would use some of our free hours).

I have no regrets about my second having gone, she had a great time. Loved her teacher. Although starting reception was tiring, it wasn't as bad as it was for my eldest, and she knew about 50-60% of the faces so slotted straight back in.

The quality of the individual care matter far more than what type of setting it is - people will talk in generalities but only you know the private nursery and school you are considering.

Given what you’ve said about reservations around the private nursery and you already know and like the school. I’d absolutely consider a move. The only downside will be the hours - can you definitely get wraparound from 3 in the school (not a given as early years qualified staff are required at all times) and can you sort the holidays?

-o

Not true. The level of regulation is the same!