Pre school settling in, is this standard?

[tumblebumbleweed]

Almost 3 year old due to start pre school in September, will have one stay and play (1 hour) then expected to go straight into 3 hour sessions. Will be going 3 mornings a week.

I'm probably being PFB about this, but have found out most pre schools in area offer a gradual settling in approach rather than this.

Should add child's not been anywhere like this before as always been with me, been to playgroups etc but not been left.

Would appreciate opinions please!

Thanks

It's 3 hours, 3 mornings a week. I think gradual would be overkill.

Presumably the kids are 3+ so understand that mummy is coming back at lunchtime. DS is starting a new school nursery in Sept and it’s pretty much the same as yours with the intro session then straight to half days, with those doing full days starting that on day 4.

Thanks , yes they are pre school year so technology classes as rising 5's. Sons obviously very young in year which probably also doesn't help me feel it's too much too soon.

He will understand I'm coming back etc but just think because other pre schools seem to have a different way of settling them I wasn't sure if it would be too much.

Thanks

Preschool year isn't rising 5s. Rising 5s are reception year.
But yes I'd say it was normal settling in 1 hour and then straight into 3 hour sessions - if your little one struggles they will probably ask you to collect early

My just turned 3yo DD starts nursery this September too, her only settling session is nearly as long as the normal ones and I can't stay, I was surprised as schools I've worked in have done something like an hour session with parents then an hour session without parents before starting their normal sessions. I think for other children who have been in a childcare setting before it's not such a big jump but for children like mine and yours who have only ever been with family it's a big thing!

My 3 year old starts 9-3:15 and is straight in. I'm so glad because gradual starts are an absolute nightmare when you're working

I think often the drawn out start actually makes it more confusing for the child. Much better to be in and learning the new routines than having it different every time they go!

Our school does a half day the first day, stay for lunch the second day and attended for the full day from day 3. Worked well in my opinion

We don't really have settling sessions for preschool room unless a parent requests it. Most 3yo are reasonably confident and able to understand I'll be back before/after lunch.

That isn't to say some don't get upset, because they do but they are usually easier to keep occupied.

Two year olds are the hardest to settle because they are angry ( i want mummy now!) as well as upset.

Totally agree OP, I'm with you, in my case preschool are actually letting mine do the gradual settling in although they said at first they weren't so might be worth asking again

Honestly it would drive me potty if it were more gradual than this. My kids will be perfectly fine. If anything I think it confuses them if it’s gradual.
Also v frustrating for working parents.

We didn't have any settling in session for preschool. We did for 3 weeks for reception and it was a complete pain the arse.

It will be absolutely fine. If its not they'll let you know.

That's good, yes I have asked but been told it's standard for them to do it this way. I've asked to be kept informed and if they say he's still unsettled etc I have no qualms in getting him.

I think as it's the first time he will have been in childcare he will struggle and 3 hours seems a huge length of time

Same- except with 2.5 year old. Preschool told us they used to do more gradual settling in sessions, but then stopped over covid and found the kids actually settled in better without them. I'm willing to trust their judgement on the issue since they're obviously experienced.

My little one is also doing three hour mornings. I wonder if it's the same preschool!

This will be fine for a 3yo. You get an opportunity to go in with him once, so he knows what to expect, and then it's business as usual.

It's more confusing for them if you draw it out longer - nursery is a place where mummies don't stay. It also becomes disruptive for the other kids if every new kid gets multiple settling sessions with parents, or early pick ups etc.

Crikey any more would seem like over kill to me. Mine went straight in 9-3 with no settling in days.
School did a week of half days which they’ve now knocked on the head to and they go straight in. Most kids should be fine with 3 mornings a week straight off

It's normal. Do discuss your worries with the key person at the stay and play, they'll be able to reassure you. We would offer accommodations like late dropoff or early pickup if the child was struggling, but give him a chance to settle first. Any upset rarely lasts long. He will be fine 🙂

You can't get much more gradual than 3 hours anyway?

I'm sure if he struggles during the 3 hour session they can call you.

Thanks all, glad to know this sounds like a case of PFB 🙊

When I worked in a day nursery 3 hours was the settle in time for preschool children.

Im a nursery teacher in a school now and we have them visit a few hours the term before they start with parents and then on their own but then they start with their full hours in the term they start. This works much much better than any other system I’ve worked with.

Three hours really isn’t very long, it will fly by.

In my DD's school they do this too, the school are well used to new children starting and all the issues they might have. I'm sure DC will be fine.
I'm not a fan of gradual settling in, I think it's more confusing for the child, start as you mean to go on is better I think especially when it's only 3h sessions

Oh dear me no. Don't ever dismiss your feelings so easily like that.