Holiday club for nearly 4 year old

[lemons222]

My nearly 4yo is v social and enjoys nursery, she goes to nursery preschool and wraparound with other nursery age children. The school run a holiday club and I'm wondering whether to send her over the summer holidays but the age group will be mixed 3-11. We luckily don't need it for childcare it's more for her to socialise and not have such a long time off over the summer as it may take her time to settle back in again in Sept. Her speech is behind what it should be, no other issues though and I'm just a bit hesitant as she'll be mixing with children older than her

Hi im in the same situation 4.5 year old boy.. speech delay.. want to send him just for the sake of enjoying himself 2 mornings a week.. I’m not sure?

I wouldn't, personally, if you don't have to. When your child is at nursery they won't have had much exposure to older kids, but if it's a truly mixed group of age 3-11 year olds I'd be concerned that she'd pick up on some age-inappropriate behaviour / language. I've seen it with our five year old when he does key stage 1 activities, and that's just age 5-8! I don't think kids that age need much socialisation over the summer apart from spending it with family and doing a few playdates, but that's a personal opinion!

I've decided not to send her for now as I spoke to the staff and there's not many her age going. There is another holiday club going on near me for ages 2-11 and they said they mostly have age 3-4 year olds going but I'm still hesitant as it'll be a new setting, and also there are still spaces so I'm guessing older children could still attend. Can't find anywhere that is just for nursery age children over the holidays sadly

My DC went to an afterschool and holiday club with primary school kids starting when she was 3, just a few week after her birthday. She was the youngest and there were only a few children her age, most of them going much less frequently than DC. Although shy at first, she absolutely loved it and had amazing friendships with older children. The older kids were so lovely with DC. The club was the hardest thing to leave behind when we had to move. I would try a few days short days and see how it goes

At 3, only use holiday clubs if you need to imo. I think from 4 is more realistic. I felt terrible sending my 3 year old in and we've moved lots around to avoid doing again until she's 4.

The smaller ones can get a bit lost in a busy, mixed aged holiday club but it depends on their personality too. We have some of our preschoolers staying over the summer and the ones who still have their friends going are fine, but some are missing their friends who aren't attending through the summer and find the older children overwhelming.