.. to put my children into two different settings?

[NannaNoodleman]

What are people's thoughts on accessing two settings for their children? (ie a nursery and a preschool).

My children currently attend a nursery while I'm at work (8:30-4:30). I want them to start at the local preschool as they will being going to the attached primary. Unfortunately the preschool only does half days (finishes at 1).
I asked if their nursery could take them for the afternoon session (1-4:30) and the manager had a bit of a go at me about it.

I was wondering if this really was such a bizarre idea.

Sounds like an unnecessary faff to me.

Reasons I wanted them at preschool:

• they will attend the primary.
• it's a small rural village and all the children at the preschool will attend the primary.
• small rural village with a strong sense of community and they have friends at the preschool.
• change of scene from the nursery they've been attending daily/weekly for years!
• DD (2 years) is quite bright and preschool would be a new challenge for her (nursery often mention her behaviour but I think she's bored in the baby room).

How would they get from one to the other?

I think pre school and childminder would be better if you have your heart set on the pre school. Otherwise stay where they are

There's no childminders in the village so there's no alternative afternoon care once preschool closes.

Will the nursery be able to cover full days in the school holidays when the preschool is closed? Are you able to pick up at 1pm and drop offer nursery or will you need a pick up service? Is the manager being funny with you because they will lose the 15 hours funding?
Also will they definitely get a place in reception, it's not a given, even though they have attended the attached preschool?

Our neighbour would do the pick up/drop off for us.

I work at a school so I don't need childcare during the holidays.

My DS gets his 30 hours but I pay for my DD's fee.

The primary is a tiny rural school. All of the children in the village go there. Most of their friends go to the preschool. It's not oversubscribed.

What if the neighbour goes on holiday or is otherwise busy?

It sounds like an unnecessary faff to be honest

She had a go at you? Why?

I don’t think there is anything wrong with it but I don’t see the point tbh, and you will find there are a lot more days preschool will be closed, that nursery open for. Also you mentioned she is 2, I thought (although could be wrong) that school nursery is the term after your three.

We have 3 children with 3+ years between them all. They have always been split up for childcare/preschool/nursery because what suited one didn’t suit another because of the age gaps. So personally if that is what will work I would do it.

Sounds fine if you can manage it. Lots of children go to two settings. I used to find it infuriating that preschools (often the ones attached to primary schools) only did half days, some even said your child had to go 5 days a week half days only. Entirely useless for many working parents and a massive faff for non working ones.

Why did she not like the idea? Is she worried it would be dispirit I’ve to the routine? She may have perfectly good reasons unless they normally do half day morning or afternoon sessions.

I just realised I misread. We have done that too. If the nursery has the spaces I don’t get why she had a go. If not she could have said no.

She developed a ducksarse face and got snippy so I said "do you think that'd be a bad idea for the children" and she said "it's up to you how you parent" in a 'tone'.

The nursery does hourly childcare and half sessions.

She probably just got snippy because it's harder to fill half day spaces than full time?

She was right when she said it's up to you how you parent - it is! It does seem like a bit of faff but entirely up to you if you think the long term benefits are worth it.

The nursery is small (2 rooms) and lovely. My children have been there for 3 years and 2 years each. They have 1 year and 2 years until they start school.

I do think they need a change of scene. Especially the 2 year old, she isn't "gifted" but she is very bright for her age and I think a more school -ish environment would be better suited to her.

The preschool takes from 2 1/2 years.

The nursery manager wouldn't explain her attitude. I did ask but she didn't say what upset her about the suggestion.

It might be the loss of income from reducing their hours that upset her.

Shes upset because she would be losing money!

Go for it, sounds like its a good transition for them.

I have done this when my DC were younger. I think it is a good idea for your circumstances. The DC will get used to it quickly.

I did it for DS2. He had been at on site work nursery full days since tiny.

The 2 terms before he went to school I wanted him to go to the village pre-school one morning a week, so 1) he would get to know his new pals and 2) could join in with the school visits that they do once a week for a few hours. I worked from home those mornings and then took him to nursery. At 4 years old he was well able to take this in his stride and understand the change.

There was no problem at all with either setting. Nurseries usually operate on a morning and afternoon session so with enough notice I don't see why you can't change things.

The pre-school shouldn't mind how many sessions the child goes to.

I continued to get the free funding hours at the nursery.

I did tell the pre-school that I really didn't need the keyworker to do all the Early Years book work as that was being done in his nursery.

A preschool isnt any more school-ish than a nursery tbh. My kids have been in both & the only difference was preschool was cheaper & shut for the holidays. But its still a play led setting just like nursery.

I agree. Once my son was in the pre-school room at nursery he did the pre-school stuff. At 2 he was in Toddler1 and then Toddler2. Maybe your 2 year old would benefit from a nursery with more rooms and separation between babies and toddlers?

Certainly what my son did at nursery and pre-school wasn't any different, just the setting and the people.

That's normal here but I suspect you live in a different part of the UK to me. They go to preschool for either a morning or afternoon session, and most nurseries operate a drop off and pick up service for the local preschools and keep them for the rest of your working day.