Is it possible to start school with no nursery/preschool experience?

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DD1 is nearly 3 and due to start her preschool year in Sept 2006. She and dd2 ( 5 months) are currently looked after by a brilliant childminder who I'm keen to keep on. Unfortunately CM doesn't live anywhere near any of the schools dd1 is likely to attend and doesn't do drop offs/pick ups ( has said she could do some but not guarantee etc).

I work 4 days a week. No way I can get out of work to do the preschool thing so had planned to send dd1 to a private nursery 2 days a week while her younger sister remains at the childminder full time.

However, I'm a bit uninspired by the nurseries I've seen so far ( plus problem of dropping off in two places)& beginning to wonder if it's necessary. Do you think it's possible to start school with no preschool/nursery experience at all? Transition from CM ( 3 kids) to class of 30 kids could be a big shock...Anybody any experience of this?

Only alternative is to change to nanny or different CM but really don't want to when everything so settled.

Well, I went to school without experience of nursery/preschool and it never did me any harm
Seriously though, if you and your dds are happy with the situation, I wouldn't change it especially if the alternatives are pretty uninspiring.
If your concerned about how your dd1 might be settling into a large group or other children, why not send her to a weekly dance or sports class or club or something like that before she starts school.

I agree that its maybe the socialising and outings that your DD may miss out on and find daunting when she goes in to a big class. You also have to confident that your CM is preparing her for school and is up to date with the curiculum.

If your DD gets the chance to take part in group activities and outings and your happy that your CM can prepare her then go for it, their is no point trailing her about when you have excellent childcare in place.

Message withdrawn

Does the CM take the children to Mother and Toddler etc?

I do agree that its important to get them used to large groups of children if possible but to be honest Nursery does that for them before they start reception

I have a few friends who have a young one the same age as Katie (2yr 4m) and they are not sending their children anywhere till Nursery)
I on the other hand will be sending katie ro playgroup 2 days a week from December, Its the same playgroup that My other 3 children went to and the lady who runs it has been there the whole time)
BUT if this playschool was not there any more I would not be sending Katie anywhere till next September when she starts Nursery {smile]

My younger brother went straight to school with no nursery or pre-school but he saw both my sister and myself attending school so it wasn't a completely alien concept to him. AFAIremember he settled in OK.

I think comparing to what it was like when we went to school ("I didn't go to preschool and I was fine" sort of statement) doesn't really help because it's so different now... preschool/playgroups are so structured by Ofsted standards, and they really emphasise all kinds of learning. The stepping stones thing, all that. Virtually no children start school now without some preschool type experience. This could mean a big disadvantage for some children.

If you want to keep your DD1 with CM, I would ask CM to try to do some structured education stuff, trying to teach her to write her name, work towards recognising numbers & letters writing them, perhaps even, or at least work on how to hold a pencil. Plus physical independence washing her hands consistently, dressing self, self-toileting. Being able to express herself clearly & communicate her needs, as well as sharing and listening to others. All of that on top of general group time. If you find the QCA guidelines online somewhere they give you an idea of what most children are expected to do by the time they start school.

ATM, I am sending DD to preschool primarily to develop her social skills, but of course that may not be an issue with your child.

I was joking when I made the remark about not having been to nursery not doing me any harm, honest
I know it was a very long time ago and that the world has changed considerably since then.

do you mean that she will start reception in 2006, or nursery in 2006? If the latter, then I don't think there is any problem - as far as I'm concerned nursery IS pre-school, I don't see any reason for them to go to anything beforehand. Obviously little music groups or mothers and toddlers or whatever is good for socialisation but I don't think you need pre-pre-school KWIM.

If you mean she will start reception in 2006 then yes, I think it will be a bit of a shock for her. But I think just a term or so of nursery would be adequate - could you start her in the summer term (which is a nice term anyway, lots of light and warm etc) to minimise the amount of time you have the droppign off problem? A good 8 or 9 weeks of nursery will get her used to the whole concept of mass education and will cushion the blow of reception in sept....

check your childminder takes them to playgroups and other places where there are quite a few children (one o'clock clubs, library groups etc) and they'll be fine