Pre-school

[Italiangreyhound]

Hi all

Before our little one starts school we want him to get some time at pre-school. I've spoken to them and I can go in with him. He has seen it and seems keen, they have lots of toys and a great outside space and I think he will love it. I don't think he wants to be with me all the time but I will be there initially to make sure he is OK.

Please can I ask experienced adopters - any tips and advice?

He is quite sociable and intelligent.

I think he will cope but I am scared for him and also just plain worried staff at pre-school will have no idea of the situation/issues for a looked after child.

I am happy to discuss privately but not keen to reveal much more here but if anyone can warn/advise/guide me - I would be grateful, please.

I've got a birth child so I have been through all the pre-school/starting big school stuff but this is different! I am worried he will not cope or he will and it will be a sign he is not really bonded to me and that he won't properly attach.

Every time he smiles at anyone else or talks to anyone else I feel worried it is a sign he is not properly attaching.

Hiya. Our ds (3) was used to 5 days a week at nursery and we were advised to continue that routine. We were actually advised to take him to his first settle session during introductions, which we did not do. He actually started around 4 weeks into placement and I'm not convinced that it wasn't too early. Our iro was very unhappy with the fact that we were advised to start him straight away. He now goes three mornings a week and his sister joined him recently after being here for 4 months. Ds seems to have a very strong attachment to DH though so hopefully we won't have messed up too badly.

DD was much younger than your DS but I did feel the need to get out of the house every day after a few weeks to stop me going stir crazy. We did "something" every day be it Stay & Play, Library Time, Swimming or just to play park.

We had structure to our week so that DD and I both knew what we were doing (mainly me really!). It was only after 9 months when I went back to work that I left her. Obviously your DS is older and it's different, but I would certainly start off with seeing what's local to you.

It's still very early days - you're doing fabulously :)

Thanks Rhinos.