Toilet troubles and 3 and 4 year olds mixed in together at pre-school nursery

[glasjam]

HI there - my 3 year old boy started nursery today for the first time - just went in for the hour today with me.

The 3 year olds and the pre-school year just mingle in together - there isn't a separate "class" for the separate years. Is this a common thing? I can't work out yet whether I think this is a good or a bad thing. It is quite noticable the difference in age and I can imagine that some of the younger ones might be quite intimidated by the older children.

I also encountered the old toilet problem too - my boy has been potty trained since last summer but needs a little assistance with bottom wiping and getting on the toilet. As parents we aren't allowed to go into the toilet with the children (child protection issues) and as a result my boy struggled to get onto the toilet and then managed to wee all over his pants and trousers. It didn't help that it was one of those toilet seats that has a gap at the front - perfect for wee to escape!
Needless to say I went in there to help him - contravening the rules!!

Would be interested to hear any of your comments or experiences.

Cheers.

the terms preschool and nursery are really confusing I think and in some areas describe v different things...
my experience - the preschool that dd1 went to took children from 3 years old onwards, so there was a mix of 3 year old AND 4 year olds - some children ( like my dd1) did 2 years at the preschool before moving onto reception if they turned 3 in the September. Most however were 4.

I don't really think that having 3 and 4 year olds mix in that sort of setting is a bad thing - where would you draw the line? There will always be a big difference in abilities regardless of the agegroups (and all through school as well).

When my just turned 3 year old started at the preschool I didn't see her age difference as a bad thing or that she was intimidated by the older children - I'm not so sure it was noticed thb by the other children - a lot depends on the children themselves as well.

the toilet issues - think this is common and it sorts itself out eventually. for a while dd had some accidents despite having been trained for a long time - had to do with getting to the toilet and managing things on her own, whereas at home I was there to help. She wouldn't wear tights for a long time for this reason as well

I think you'll find it v common to have the 3 and 4 year olds mix, 3 year olds are preschoolers as well

Hi Glasjam,

My DD goes to private nursery and is in the Pre-School room which goes from age 3 until they leave for school.
I do think this is normal practice, my DS also went to nursery and they were all together from age 3.
It might seem like a big difference now but they soon catch up and because there is such a variety of ages, they are constantly changing with new ones coming up all the time and in July, lots will leave.

The toilet issue is a struggle. I have been told by one of the nursery nurses that children should not go to toilet unsupervised and yet my DD did go unsupervised and was coming home with dirty knickers.. I did go in a complain and there have been no dirties for a while...

Hi Glasjam It would probably help if you could teach your ds to wee standing up. Would he be able to reach? I know in my son's pre-school nursery they have really small toilets. Obviously wouldn't help if he needed more than a wee but I have 2 boys and I don't think they have ever sat on the toilet for a wee.

Thanks everyone - yes, I don't think the mixing in of ages should be a problem - he likes older children in other situations so I don't see why this one should be different. I just spoke to a friend of mine who lives in Edinburgh (I'm in Glasgow) and she thought this was really strange as her nursery had separate classes for the new intake and then they moved up after a year - but I guess you only know your own nursery experiences...

Today I left him alone while I went into the waiting area - was 40 minutes in total and then he just started crying so they came and got me - he doesn't cry a lot so it was hard to see his tears! Didn't broach the toilet situation today - he wasn't there long enough but I did mention yesterday's problems to the staff who said they would keep an eye on him.

Anyway, tomorrow I actually leave the building - should be interesting.

Aww, good luck glasjam.
You will find he will settle quickly.
Its often harder for the mum than the child.

40 minutes is a good start!

Be brave!

It's normal to have 3 and 4 year olds mixed together in one class. I do suply work at the moment and all the nuseries I have worked in follow this practice.