Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think nearly 4 is still too young for school nursery?

112 replies

Slightlyneuroricnat · 07/02/2014 18:03

Always considered myself lucky in that my daughter wouldn't be starting school nursery until nearly 4 as her birthday is September but as its nearing the sick feeling still isn't shifting.
Aibu?

OP posts:
AwfulMaureen · 07/02/2014 18:12

It's not too young. I thought that with my older DD but now I've sent two of them off I know better. It's very good for them and they have a fantastic time.

EirikurNoromaour · 07/02/2014 18:13

YABU, because plenty of children go and do fine, in fact very well. So you might think that nearly 4 is too young for your child but YABU to think that it's too young for any child.

pinkandsparklytoo · 07/02/2014 18:14

My DS is just started in a school nursery and he only turned 3 at Christmas time. He loves it once he gets there.

pussycatdoll · 07/02/2014 18:15

Don't send her then
Keep her home until school

WorraLiberty · 07/02/2014 18:15

It mostly depends on the child

My DS's school has a nursery and the majority of the kids get on very well there.

Joysmum · 07/02/2014 18:16

I wondered how my DD was going to be, she's an august baby. It was fine. You have the choice you know.

ThatBloodyWoman · 07/02/2014 18:18

My dd1 went into childcare at 4 months and school at a few days over 4 years.

She and I were both ready, and in our personal situation I feel I would have been clipping her wings to hold her back.

She is blossoming into a secure, mature, and socially confident older child.

scantilymad · 07/02/2014 18:18

The nursery DS will be going to now takes children from 2. It's a lovely environment and if DS is ready he will be going from 2.5 rather than be at a childminder. I don't think 4 is too young but as pp said it does depend on the child. They may be desperate to get out of the house and join in by that stage!

scantilymad · 07/02/2014 18:19

Oh and sorry it is a nursery attached to a school and DS is a late August baby.

Smartiepants79 · 07/02/2014 18:20

My Dd will be barely 4 when she has to go to school is September. I am dreading it. I'd give anything for her not to have to go for another year.
I envy you. I'd love for her to be just starting nursery.

AllMimsyWereTheBorogroves · 07/02/2014 18:21

If it's a properly run nursery class/school it should be absolutely ideal for a child of 3 or 4. The focus should be on learning through play, social skills, learning to talk and listen to other children and to adults. My children were both lucky enough to go to one of the best nursery schools imaginable for five terms before they went on to primary school. It was a fantastic start to their education.

Beamur · 07/02/2014 18:22

It depends on the child.
DD went to school nursery from 3 and has been fine.

Original poster
Slightlyneuroricnat · 07/02/2014 18:23

She's a confident kid, I'm just still not sure.
I'm aware of the positives and most kids will go into reception next year together but I just look at her and think she's still very young to have to go off every day albeit only 3 hours a day.

OP posts:
BicycleGasoline · 07/02/2014 18:24

What do you think they are going to do to her? I'm a nursery teacher, and parent to an August-born dd who will start nursery in September at just 3. She will be fine as the class is tailored for 3-4 year olds.

Splatt34 · 07/02/2014 18:24

@Smartiepants legally they don't HAVE to enter school until the term AFTER they turn 5. It is your choice, you could keep her home longer but I think schools make it tricky

blueberryboybait · 07/02/2014 18:26

My DD starts Reception the day after she turns 4 this year! She has been at nursery since she turned 3 and is thriving, I thought she would struggle as it was too soon but she loves it, 6 months is a long time and she change so much in that space of time.

Thumbcat · 07/02/2014 18:26

I think it depends on the child. It wouldn't have suited DS at nearly 4 and so I kept him at his preschool instead as he was settled and happy. By the time he started school at nearly 5 he was more than ready for it and settled just as quickly as the ones who has attended the nursery. Do what is best for your child.

scantilymad · 07/02/2014 18:27

Slightly - does the nursery run any taster sessions? An afternoon or two before her official start date might help both of you get used to it? Good luck. DS doesn't start for nearly two years and I'm already dreading it (especially as he's just fallen asleep on me after his bath :) )

lljkk · 07/02/2014 18:27

You're worrying in February about whether she'll be ready in September? They change hugely in 6-7 months, you know that already, right?

She'll be more than ready!

paperdress · 07/02/2014 18:28

OP- I think you have had some useful replies so far but i also detect an undercurrent of 'oh just get on with it, what's your problem?'
we send our kids to preschool pretty early in their childhood in this country; it will suit some but perhaps not others. it useful to reflect on it and question the status quo. perhaps other parents are innured to the arguments for & against because they have become used to regular nursery attendance in their infants and toddlers

NettoSuperstar · 07/02/2014 18:28

DD went a couple of weeks before she turned three and thrived, she loved it.

WhosLookingAfterCourtney · 07/02/2014 18:28

What about a different kind of nursery? Dd goes to a normal one (not sure of all the different kinds!) and started just before her 3rd birthday. Ds is 18 months and has just started as I've gone back to work and loves it.

Also, if the school nursery is inflexible with hours as your last post suggests, it might be worth shopping around - not all nurseries are like that. At ours you can use your 15 hours as much or as little as you please and spread over as many days as you like.

MrsBungle · 07/02/2014 18:28

Yabu. Don't send her then if you are uncomfortable with it.

Kveta · 07/02/2014 18:29

It depends on the child. My DS is a September baby, and just loves nursery. He runs in every day, chats about his teachers and friends all the time, draws pictures to take in for his teachers, and generally seems to be having a whale of a time!

DD is a June baby though, so we don't know if she will be ready when she should be starting. I think you just have to play it by ear.

LingDiLong · 07/02/2014 18:29

So don't send her. It's not too young for most kids, judging by the lack of screaming traumatized kids entering my kids nursery class. But i get it's too young for some so why send her? Just wait til after Christmas or Easter or whatever.