Not ready for preschool?

[mrsmooms]

DS was 2 in early August, DD is almost 5 months old. I am finding that I never have any time to concentrate on DD and as I have no relatives nearby I've been looking into the possibility of a preschool session once or twice a week for DS so that I can take DD to a baby group or similar.

DS has never really been left with anyone other than my DPs and he constantly follows me around at home, although is quite independent and very sociable when we go to playgroup, baby gym etc and he knows I'm nearby.

My gut feeling is he's not ready to spend several hours away from me - however, having never sent him to nursery, had babysitters etc then I'm not sure how I would tell when he is ready??

Would I be better off looking at nursery of CM instead? Or just abandoning the idea until I see some 'signs' that he might be ready (and if so, what are they?!) Thanks!

I forgot to add to that I do see benefits for DS himself in going to preschool - social interaction, improving his speech, variety of activities etc etc - I'm not just trying to get him out from under my feet for a few hours

He sounds like quite a confident little chap. The pre-school will probably want him to go for a couple of sessions a week though (and possibly on consecutive days), so that he has a chance to settle in properly.

What about a CM for a couple of mornings a week?

Lots if children go to nursery at 2. I would be worried that he follows you around however. I think you could approach a nursery and see if you can try it out for an hour to see how he gets on. Does he seek you out all the time at the activities he does go to or not? What do you think he would do if you were not close by? I think all you can do is try because it is difficult to judge how he will react. I would see if you can get different adults to look after him though, if you can, because this is good preparation for nursery class later when it would of great benefit for him to go. I am not sure if a childminder or nursery will make much difference if he will not be happy being away from you. I was lucky in that DD1 could not wait to get to her nursery sessions ( the lure of the dressing up box) so I could spend time with DD2, but children mature at different rates. If he needs to go and you need him to go, then give it a try.

I felt the same as you last year. I found a lovely childminder. I was happier him being in that kind of setting. A year later and he's outgrown that, off to preschool and we are debating a nursery for the childcare side of things

Thanks for all of your replies - very helpful! Have thought about this for a bit and decided that he's probably just not ready yet but we're going to go along to the parent and toddler sessions at our local preschool every week so he can get a feel for the place for the time being.

I asked around for recommendations for some sixth-form age people who we might be able to get to babysit in future and have had them round to play with DS for a few hours so they can get to know each other - he was absolutely fine in leading them off to play without me, I guess knowing that I was still in the house, so no worries about his sociability when he's ready to be left!

Until recently pre schools here wouldn't accept children until 2yrs 9 months. I have a nearly 2 year old who I'll send to pre school next September (co incidently 2yr 9 months).I'd want to wait until the term before 3 in any case. We're wondering about a childminder but as we don't need nursery for work I think a childminder is better until nearly 3.

to be honest I'd go for a small nursery at that age rather than a proper preschool. If he's happy you can leave him there once you get funding at 3 anyway.