to not send ds2 to preschool at all?

[massivewhinge]

He's 2.5, we both work ft so he goes to a lovely childminder.

My sister has just asked me which preschool he's going to and I said he isn't. You'd honestly have thought I'd said I was raising him as a Satanist.

She said everyone goes to o preschool. I said he's happy at his cm, she takes him out with lots of other children and cms and I don't see the point. She then countered that it would save me 15hrs worth of childcare a week, because she doesn't pay her cm (our other sister) while her girls go to preschool. I said that wouldn't apply as I'd still have to pay my cm (and rightly so...). I don't see any benefit to it so don't think we'll send him.

Anyway. My question is, is she right? Does everyone send their 3yo to playgroup/preschool? Are we being weird again?

By which I mean ^^ if a CM is dropping off for preschool and school, going back to pick up from preschool, then going back to drop off for afternoon pre-school or pick up at the end of the school day, your child may as well be in pre-school rather than just doing a lot of pick ups. But completely depends on their set up.

I think the benefit of preschool is that it prepares them for reception. But it totally depends on where you are. For us, reception class involved two class intake milling around activity tables with some very clear rules. You take your coat off now, you go out to play now, you eat snack now, you sit quietly and listen to story now. Preschool kind of prepares them for that. It also has larger numbers of dc so that walking into a room of 60 people isn't quite so daunting. Totally different if you're planning on sending him to a rural school with an intake of 5. It also gives them access to a fair few buddies before they start school.

I put DS1 in for 2 days at nursery using four sessions. Part of it was for continuity of childcare, and as it turns out I've got new work. It was also more useful him spending acfull day tgere rather than being restricted in the middle of the day. I originally chose not to use the 5th session to make a half day.

He was in no rush to develop his speech, but since his hours increased at new year, it's come on brilliantly. His social skills such as sharing and cooperating with others are also developing quickly.

Personally I feel starting at school nursery at age 3 is hugely beneficial to 'easing them in'.

Ds1 was 3 in January (a January that is...he's 6 now) and started afternoon nursery the day after his 3rd birthday. When he started there were 6 in the class. It was a lovely environment, the teacher:pupil ratio was 1:2 for the first few weeks so he got lots of individual attention. It really helped him settle. As the weeks went on, and more joined as they turned 3, it got busier but was very gradual. By the July there were about 15 in the class. In September when he started his 'proper' year of nursery there were about 25. I'm really glad I didn't just chuck him in full time with a full class though.

If he's a September 2011 baby, won't he start school in Sep 2016?
So he'll have 2 years there before reception?
(Unless you are not in England in which case ignore me!)

Oh yes, it would be. Three until five. D' oh.

My DS (2yrs 10months) is also in childcare full time, and we won't be sending him to pre-school either. And I know quite a few people who also won't send their children to pre-school, so you are definitely not weird!

I don't see the point of pre-school for us - DS is happy and settled (3 days in nursery, 2 days with a cm), does lots of activities and goes to lots of playgroups. Why should that change? At this age, all they need to do is play, school starts way too soon in this country.

If you and your son are happy with how things are at the moment, then why would you change it? Go with what you are comfortable with.

My DS was with a childminder who I continued to pay while he was at pre-school. He really came on there, and I think by 3 he had started to outgrow his childminder a little bit. He started on 3 mornings and increased to 5 at Easter (August baby so only 1 year pre-school). You might find yourself changing your mind as he gets a bit older.

Ds2 was bored out of his mind at pre school, said it was all "baby toys". I had to admit he was right. Perhaps other pre schools are better but ours is certainly no different to a nursery despite being rated "outstanding" by Ofsted . I will no doubt send ds3 at some point so that he can make some friendships before school but I don't see any other value in it, he is fine at sitting still and listening and all that sort of stuff already and he is only 2.2.