Pre school

[Happies]

Hi,

Just wondering others opinions on this....

My DD is 2 and currently goes to a CM 3 days a week.
We have been looking at pre schools for when she turns 3 to get her used to a more school like environment.

Our preferred pre school is attached to our preferred school and cm does school drop offs and picks ups for this school.

Our DD enjoys the Cm a lot and is very settled there.

So I guess I am querying whether it's necessary to send her to a pre school at all?

If she went I'd only want her to do half day sessions, out Cm doesn't do midday pick up or drop offs so she would have to go on one of my days. But then I feel guilty about doing that.

The other option is for her to do a full day at pre school with the Cm doing drop offs etc but because it's only term time we would have to pay Cm to too retain her space.....

Is one morning at pre school really worth it?
Or do we just stick with the CM since she's happy?

Would appreciate info from others who have made similar decisions.... thx

I think childminders are fab... especially for a younger child but I can honestly say my dd has come on brilliantly in prechool. She loves it and it's really grown her confidence. She goes to a brillant childminder before and after but I really feel she gets so much from the preschool as well

cm's can do everything a preschool does, make a list of what you think you Lo would need to be school ready and chat to her about what she does to provide this. I have 3 children start school nursery in the last year 2 have been pulled out as they had forgotten how to write names waiting for teacher to do it (above school readiness) do up coats (school automatically did) and many other things that the school were saying they were too far advanced in, they have come back to me the other has now gone to private school.
If you cm promotes independence skills, encourages your lo to recognise name, attend groups like library story times and toddler groups where your child is encouraged to separate from her and mix, network with other cm's so that your child will ask for help from others as well as messy play, numbers etc your child has everything a preshool provides as well as one to one support when needed that is not provided in preschool.

Thank you for the replies.

My CM has stated she would be covering everything a nursery would.

She does take her to play groups etc but my thinking she is still in a home setting, where as a pre school is not.... if that makes sense.
It's a more "school like" environment which is in the same place as the school she will hopefully attend.... plus she will make friends with other kids that will also be in her class.... I know this is not guaranteed, obviously

Part of me doesn't want to change her arrangements but I guess I worry she will be missing out on something?

I used to work in nurseries and I choose a CM as I didn't think a nursery was for her when she was small (started at CM at a year old) but as she gets older this may change.

X

I wouldn't bother for one morning a week, especially if it had to be one of your days. I know my dc's pre school won't let dc do only one session a week because they struggle to settle.

Children are in a school setting for 14 years then uni if they go at 4 they are in a home setting for a year if they go to nursery at one all research shows under 5's do most learning in play and are better in small close groups yet for work convenience we push them into large groups and are sold the idea its good for them by Politian's to solve the cost of childcare.
All my children are in friendship groups and know the children they start school with but are happy to socialise and go out into the world at places like museums learning centres woods and be children but equally sit listening at story times standing up and singing in front of groups of 20 plus children and adults and are very prepared for school yet the ones I work with at nurseries that have been in single age rooms at nursery up to reception are typically less socially capable (sharing turn taking manners etc) and behind in independent thinking and care.

I had been thinking last night that she has lots of years of being "schooled" and had recently been dreading the thought of sending her to school and being made to "conform"..... so why would I rush to get her into a school setting!

Anyone else have these internal
Battles of what society expects and what you actually thing is best! Lol

Think for now we will skip pre school.....she's happy as is! Thank you all x

You're doing the right thing op. My sister is a primary teacher and we've talked about 'school readiness' a lot. So much of it is just the basics that good parents do automatically- full tummy, well rested, being able to use the toilet, being able to dress properly, being able to eat properly, basic manners etc. Both of my dc have gone to pre school (I'm a SAHM )and they do enjoy it (my ds less than my dd)but in reality they will finish in July and not go to school until September so I'm not sure how much use it will have been in the end? Equally my friend has worked ft since her dd was 5 months and she's under no illusion that going from her room at nursery, with all of the other kids she's been with for 4 years to school will be any easier. I think we worry about it far more than they struggle with it!

The other advantage of not changing is that as the cm does the school you wont have to change her childcare so less changes alongside full time school

Thank you for all your replies xx

I run a press school and the very last thing in want to do is to make it like school
I want it to be a place where children can explore, experiment, make mistakes, make friends, have fun, play and learn to be independent

There is no reason why your child cant do all that with a good childminders

I don't see the benefit of attending for one session a week, its a waste of everyone's time.

I was in exactly your situation and my son goes to preschool 5 mornings a week. It has been brilliant for him. BUT my childminder really doesn't focus on school stuff at all and it's only half days. I wouldn't want him to go for full days as that would be too much. If your childminder can do more school ready type stuff I'd stick with her!

What's school ready type stuff? Icklekid?

I'm getting my pre schoolers school ready by giving them opportunities to play outside every day
They climb trees, swing on the trapeze climb up the slide, dig in the mud, play football and tag rugby, they do zumba and dance
This is a very good article that explores children attainment at school with their pre school development
www.nurseryworld.co.uk/nursery-world/news/1154064/low-attainment-linked-with-poor-motor-skills?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook
All my children do well at school, I have regular meetings with the head and the reception head of year and a lot of them are exceeding at the end of reception

So many think school ready is writing sitting still and recognising numbers instead of independence, finger strength through play, confidence etc. An under 5 should not be sat doing worksheets or flash cards they may learn to read or write but through play like mark making in sand trays number hunts etc...but that is not school readiness.