When is the best age for them to start school? Friends are sending their LO's now. Not sure I want to..

[leoleo]

Hi my ds is 2.9 and has friends around the same age. 1 has been in child care since 6 months old and will start school in the mornings from his 3rd birthday in April.
Another friends dd is starting half day in September she'll be 3.5yo.
My ds is not in any sort of child care or playgroups but mixes very well. I am inclined not to send him yet.
What has everyone else done and how do they feel about it now?
Thank you

Usually school don't take until september after 4th birthday.

But if it is preschool, then they usualy take form 3rd birthday.

But preschool isn't compulsory at all.

Dd1 went to nursey form 20 minths, 2 half days a week, then preschool 4 mornings ofrm 3.5.

Dd2 went to preschool twice a week form 2, then 5 times a week form 3.

I think you should go with your instincts and what you and your ds want. My ds is 3and9months, and is about the the only child i know his age who isn't at pre-school. But he doesn't want to go, i love having him at home, and there is plenty of time for school later - they go for long enough once they start. We do other things like gym classes and toddler groups.
I think pre-schools can be a good change of activity and a way to play with other children, if the children enjoy them, but not essential or any better than being at home / doing other activities with other children, and certainly not if the child doesn't want to be there.

I think you have to go with what feels right for you and your child, as everyone is different. What works for one may not work for another.

Sounds like these children are only going into preschool, half days, not school as such - and this is quite common.

My Dd went to day nursery from 5 months when I went back to work. As she was so settled and loving it where she went, and at that time the school she was going to go to didn't have apreschool anyway, we left DD in nursery until she started proper school at 4yo. At her request she did an extra half day at nursery for the final year before school - so as doing 2.5 days in total. She settled into school no problem.