should i move 4 year old from cm to nursery?

[wotnopulling]

it seems to be assumed that my now 3 year old dd will move to nursery in sept (she'll turn 4 in oct). but now i have secured her a place i'm suddenly wondering why i'm moving her. i'm very happy with the cm and i'm not sure what additional benefits - if any - a nursery will offer.

can anyone enlighten me or throw some experience my way please?

thanks

A lot of people think they have to move a 3-4yo child from a CM when in reality a CM will be doing pretty much what nursery does anyway. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

If you are happy with a CM why move to a nursery for full days? You can still send your dd to a pre-school nursery setting (2.5 hrs a day) if you would likek her to go to nursery for a bit before starting school

You would need to use a pre-school/playgroup y near the childminder though so she could do drop off/pick up.

As to why she has to go to any sort of nursery, she doesn't really unless you think she would benefit from mixing with other children more. If her CM has a lot of children to look after she may get lots of this anyway, if she hasn't you may thinbk your dd might enjoy it.

I know my son didn't like full days at nursery but now I'm not working he really like the short 2.5hr sessions every day. They suit him as he has fun but they aren't too long.

Both my children are/ have been to a pre-school. I didnt use a childminder but Im one myself. The only benefits I can see is that my childrens pre-school is attatched to the school, so in that case they will have friends to go up into school with.
The childminder will be following the same guidelines as the pre-school, so its totally up to you

Hope this has helped
Emma

My daughter does a bit of both!

She does her 12.5hours per week at nursery, but on Fridays, she goes to her old childminder before and after nursery while I am at work.

My childminder didn't have any other children her age so I decided that a mix of the wonderful home environment care she gets with the childminder, and the fantastic social play based experience she gets with the nursery would be just right for her. And guess what.... It is!

Haven't read the whole thread but imo, if you're happy then no need to change but could do the 2.5 hours a day at a nursery attached to school instead maybe? That's what I'd do. One thing to think about.........will you need a childminder for either before or/and after school once they go to school all day? If you will, I'd say it's more unsettling to move them and move back iyswim.

I think it depends on your childminder and your child. I've moved my 2.4 year old to a pre-school and he loves it. He does lots of activities at nursery, and I know that he didn't do too much with the childminder. I think he was getting bored there and I very much doubt that she was following the same guidelines as the pre-school.

When I pick him up from pre-school he is full of enthusiasm and asks if he can stay. He never did this with the childminder, although he seemed happy enough.

I know from mumsnet that there are childminders that do lots of fun activities, but only you know what yours is like.

Maybe because you get funding for nursery?

the only reasons for changing at this stage would be

1. funding - BUT if your CM is accredited she will be funded also
2. if the CM has no children your DD's age for her to mix with
3. if your cm doesn't do anything exciting with DD...which is unlikely given you are v happy with her

this has been outlined by everyone else - so really its a case of what you would prefer to do? I would be inclined to say if it aint broke - but then what does CM think? Is she confident she can continue to meat your DDs needs as well as she has til now? Needs change alot after 3.....talk to your CM see what she thinks. If shes good - she'll be honest

HTH

If the nursery/pre school is attached to the school then it can be very good experience before entering reception.

DS attended pre-school on a very part time basis but I am glad I did it as he was not over whelmed on his first day and already knew where the toilets, cloakrooms etc where plus knew the teacher by sight.

My ds did both at that age. Full day at nursery plus CM before and after. Meant he mixed with children his age and was more stimulated than at the CM, eg learning to socialise with his peers, reading and writing etc. CM was a bit hit and miss on the socialising (they never went to playgroups) and didn't do anything re reading and writing. Lots of shopping and ferrying children around unfortunately.

Keep her where she is!

I am a childminder, but my little one goes to nursery too. I think it's a case of what suits the individual child, and for him this seems the best of both worlds. At home he plays and learns "at his mothers knee" and the other minded children are more like siblings than mates, and we have a lot of flexibility to do different things or go to different places depending on how we all feel on the day. At the nursery its a lot busier (in terms of numbers rather than activities), a bit more structured and gets him used to the idea of having a fixed daily routine in preparation for school. My elder child was very independent and self reliant. He went to a nursery for much longer hours and enjoyed it immensely. My littlun is a bit younger for his age if you know what I mean, and more homeloving. He's had enough of being at the nursery after two and a half hours and is happy to come home. Whilst children can always surprise you with their reaction to new situations, I think parents usually have a good feel for what will work for their family. I think its important not to feel pressured into doing what most people seem to think is the norm if you don't think it's right for your own child.

thank you all for replying. very useful. talked to cm and she says up to me but happy to keep her and doesn't think nursery will offer anything she isn't already getting.
i am thinking of keeping her where she is. can't see a reason to move her.

thanks again.