Panicking a bit about preschool!

[Louise866]

My dd is 3y 3m and due to start preschool this month. She's never been in any kind of childcare before, I had over a year off maternity with her, then went back to work for a bit part time and she was looked after by grandparents and then I've been off again on maternity so she's always been at home or grandma's house. I know preschool will be good for her development and she is ready for some extra stimulation but I'm panicking a bit about what sessions she should do. I'll be at work 2.5 days a week but my mum can pick her up and fill in when I'm not around. I was planning on her doing 3 mornings (9-12) to start with and maybe increase it later if she is enjoying it. However when I suggested this to the nursery teacher she sort of shut me down on it and said it would be confusing for dd to do mornings for a while then increase to a full day (9-3) and they wouldn't 'let' a parent choose that. It's annoyed me a tad to be honest. Isn't it up to me to decide what's best?? Fine if I asked to increase it down the line and they said they didn't have space, I'd understand that, but I don't really get why it would be bad to start with mornings and see how she gets on?? I think she will find it very tiring at first and it will be hard for her being away from me / a loved one for 6 hours. I know lots of kids are going to nursery for longer than this from a much younger age so my worry might sound silly to some but I think when they're not used to it at all then it's a lot to throw at them at 3 years old? I'm feeling quite anxious now that the nursery teacher doesn't agree with my way of thinking and not sure what to do 😬 Advice??

my dd did exactly what you planned. 3 mornings a week. you know your child best and if this is what you would like to see, go about making it happen. the concept it would be confusing for her is bs.
the nursery may not like the plan due to the financial aspect, so be prepared to look around or pay for 5 mornings and only send her 3.

Thank you, it's the 15 funded hours she's using anyway so I don't have to pay. Maybe they don't like it if people don't use the full 15 hours? 🤔

If they want you to go 9-3, you could book that and then maybe arrange an early pickup for a couple of weeks?

Would that work?

Have they offered settling in sessions anyway?

You know your child best, but I have children coming to me 8-6 after not being in childcare before and they're a bit tired to start with, but they're fine. It helps them bond with the other children.

How any hours will she be doing? If you're claiming 15 but she isn't going for 15 then they may get told to give the money back.

Sorry just re read and see you say you wanted 3 x 3 hours. So 9 hours- which means you can't claim all 15.

I manage a nursery and while I would encourage you to use all your hours, big wouldn't insist on it
Ultimately, you can choose the hours you want at our nursery
Lots of parents do what you are suggesting

It could be she is encouraging you to book as many hours as you are entitled to because from her experience sessions will get fully booked and you won't be able to increase. Starting off with just a couple of mornings is totally normal but so is wanting to increase to some full days once they are settled.

My DGD (aged 2yrs 10 months) did two mornings for her first term, three mornings for her second term and then one full day and two mornings for her third term. This term she's upped it to two full days and one morning. This has worked perfectly!

Thanks everyone! That's what I didn't really get why she said I wasn't 'allowed' to just start her on 3 mornings and look to increase it later - surely loads of children do this kind of thing? She said it would be too confusing. I don't know what to do at all but she's got her first settling in session next week where I stay with her for an hour so I'll see how that goes and take it from there. Maybe I am over thinking it. If we do the full 15 hours it will be 9-3 mon & tues and 9-12 on Weds. Im just concerned that 6 hours on 2 days running will be a lot for her, I think she'll be so tired as well!

The old style playgroups were always were always a few mornings a week. Sounds like they want to maximise income. Do you have any playgroups near you that mum could take her to (the hours are usually 9 to 11.30 or 12)?