Putting LO in preschool too early?

[Bestronger]

Pretty much what my subject is about - my LO just turn 2 yo and he is very shy, gentle and quite clingy and he will be starting preschool on Wednesday for one morning a week to see how it goes.

Do you think I put him in preschool too early or should I wait till when he is 2 and half to go preschool? I just scared that my decision putting him in preschool might change his personality or affect his moods. The reason I'm questioning this because my parents thinks it is bad idea (they are my LO's childcare for 3 days a week while I'm at work).

A lot of kids are in nursery from much younger (9 months onwards).

Is it definitely 'pre school' or nursery? As pre school rooms are normally from 3yo, but they'll have been in the younger nursery rooms before that.

Don't forget, our parents generation on the whole kept children home longer as often 1 parent stayed home so theg didn't need it for childcare as such

I would actually put him In more. I think 2 consecutive days are better. I don't think it's a bad idea. My 2 year old has been asking to go to school for weeks. It will help with language, social skill, motor skills. I had a lot of reservations when I sent my eldest. Proper anxiety. I sat in the cafe round the corner from preschool the first few weeks. She left in July ready for nursery. She really benefited from her time at preschool. It was harder for me than her.

I think it's harder for them to settle when it's only one morning a week, it's not often enough so each time is like the first time again. Can you do two mornings a week?

I sent my DC to nursery from 1 years old.

initially I was really worried how they’d get on, our nursery has a system whereby the person the child bonds with becomes their key worker and then moves up rooms with them as the child gets older.

both mine thrived and loved going to nursery and were happy and confident to go to primary school too and happy to socialise with other children as they were used to it.

I don't think its too early at all but like PP said it may take him a while to settle since its only one morning a week. Kids need a constant routine in order to really settle into things properly.

I was planning to put him in 2 mornings a week if things goes well at the preschool but I did thought that he may get confused or forget what it is like in each week. I think I will see how it goes on Wednesday and then take it from there. I think I am dreading it more than my LO is, he is quite gentle person so I am concern he might get rampage by other confident kids.

@Youcancallmeirrelevant it is preschool from 2 to 4 years old. Yes I do remember my mother only works on Saturday only so she was around so probably explains why they think it is too early to put a child in nursery/preschool!

@WoopsIdiditagain1 That'll be me on Wednesday! My friend advised me to go food shopping or something to keep my mind off which I think I will...

He'll be fine, OP. My eldest started two mornings a week at 2 years and 2 months. She loved it, I felt guilty, in fact I felt awful and I couldn't wait to go and pick her up. But it was only 6 hours out of our whole week, and it was great.

Of course it’s not too young but 1 morning a week is likely to be a nightmare for settling and such little time that it’s basically pointless. I’d do minimum 2 mornings, ideally 3, from the get go or not do it at all.

My dc went to pre school 2 mornings a week at two, they were fine.

I agree with this. One morning a week ain't likely to be successful as he will not have enough time ti adjust, relax and enjoy it whilst knowing it is temporary and you will be coming to get him.

One morning a week isn't enough. He won't have time to settle or get to know the nursery or their routines or key workers or peers.

You need more days to settle him in. I agree with others one morning a week isn't enough. And it's definitely not too early to start before 2. Most children with working parents start attending after maternity leave, so about 1. He'll be in a toddler room with them I'm guessing.

I think I am leading on to increase to 2 mornings a week as it does makes sense to do that so LO can know the rountine and get know key workers better too. Thank you for all your comments - really helped me! Does Monday and Wednesday mornings sounds okay for the routine?

Oh saw your update and it's a group of 2-4 year olds. That's a bit odd. Most of the day nurseries here will split into baby, toddler and preschool.

You may find the place requires a minimum of 2 full days for a place! You don’t have to use the time but you’ll have to pay for the 2 days.

my LO goes 2 days and we’re about to increase to 3 as she loves it so much! I don’t think he’ll get much out of 2 mornings tbh. But I do believe that’s better than nothing!

Is it? My DD went to a nursery/pre school attached to a private school and they took 2-4YOs. They did have 2 separate classes, one for 2-3 year olds, and another for 3-4 year olds (the year before school starts) but they mix them a lot and do joint activities altogether. It never occurred to me that there was anything unusual about that set up, my DS will be going too next year.

@BringOnSummerHolidays They pretty much mixed all ages of kids in the preschool but each group do have different age group where they have their own key workers to talk to or to be look after by.

@Skiingwithgin I have asked them previously and they are happy with 2 mornings a week so doesn't seem to be a problem. Thing is my LO naps for good 2.5 hours during the day so we won't get much out of it anyway if we do 2 full days haha but thats my plan once he has dropped his nap.