To think four days at pre-school is plenty for my DD?

[muminthecity]

DD is 4 and will be starting reception in September. She goes to pre-school four days a week for 2.5 hours a day. When she first started these were the only days available and I was quite happy with that.

However, the pre-school leader excitedly told me on Friday that a place has now opened up on a Monday so DD can now do 5 days a week. I said thank you and told her I thought 4 days was fine for DD and that she could give the place to someone else. She got a bit arsey with me then and said that DD is 'ready' to do 5 days, that she really 'needs' the extra day and that she will be better prepared for reception if she starts doing 5 days now. I said I'd think about it but am planning to tell her tomorrow that the answer is still no.

I love our long weekends, DD and I always do things together on a Monday, she doesn't get bored and she spends plenty of time around other children her age. I'm pretty sure she'll be fine when she starts reception, she's never had any sot of separation anxiety and adapts well to new situations. Also, there's only just over 2 months left of pre-school anyway, I can't see what difference one extra day will make.

I'm not beng unreasonable, am I?

YANBU at all.

nope not at all, enjoy the time you have before she is at school from 9-3.30 5 days a week

YANBU. Ds (3) starts primary one Aug 2011. He goes 3 days at the min, Im not sure Ill ever increase that, if I do it'll not be to 5 days thats for sure. Imo they are only little for such a short space of time, why rush things?

YANBU she is your child you decided when she goes. Four days sounds fine, make the most of the extra day until she starts school.

Some kids don't go to preschool or nursery at all so she doesn't NEED to attend 5 days a week!

My Dd only did 4 mornings right up till she started school, YANBU at all, enjoy her that bit longer!

YANBU - always good to keep one day completely free for day trips / emergency faffing etc. They are in school before you know it!

Doing 5 days won't make any difference to her readiness for school, that's ridiculous. I agree with you, it is lovely having an extra whole day during the week for days out and visiting friends, museums etc.

I can see that it's inconvenient for the preschool though, it must be difficult for them to fill the space in the extra day especially at this time of year. I imagine that's where this is coming from.

I agree with alarkaspree. I think they are pushing for 5 days because they will find it difficult to find someone to fill the extra day which will have a knock on effect on their funding.

YAcertainlyNBU but what you could do is tell them you would rather keep her to four days but ask them if it would work if she took up the Monday place in case you changed your mind later. They might not agree but it's worth a shot.

It's not like school, attendance doesn't matter unless it loses someone else a place, which it doesn't sound like it will be.