Private vs school nursery - whether to move?

[auberginesandcourgettes]

Would appreciate some input on this as I'm so indecisive...

Basically DS(3) has been at a private nursery since he was 1, but I have also secured a place for him at a nursery school from January and wondering whether I should move him. He'll be going to primary school next September, but is a summer born.

Pros of moving:
-Nursery school is in the village we live in and right next to the primary school he will go to, so he should have an easier transition to school as he will have made friends.
-He will have learnt the same stuff as his peers at nursery school, so should be more on an even keel with them when starting school
-Nursery school is 9-3pm Mon-Fri, so I will have plenty of time with new baby while I am on maternity leave. In contrast, private nursery would be 8-4pm 3 days per week.

Cons of moving:
-He is really settled where he is, has made friends and enjoys it
-I know and get on with all the staff at the current nursery, and I worry what if I move him and I don't like it as much?
-Nursery school will be closed all the school holidays, so I will have to look after both DC (I'm particularly thinking about the summer holidays here). In contrast, private nursery would be all year round.

Part of my initial reason for applying to the school nursery was that I wasn't sure if the private one would offer 30 hours free childcare. However, as both places are now offering it, there is no financial difference between the two.

I would leave him. Children make friends easily so I don't think it'll be an issue that he didn't go to the school nursery. In terms of learning, both nurseries will follow the same framework so it should be pretty similar. I assume baby will go to the private nursery too when you return to work? If so, it will make it easier for you already being familiar with the staff.

I would keep him where he is personally, unless you need to move him because you want term time only/different hours. Very likely he'll have friends going on to start reception at the same school regardless and there's no disadvantage to being at a private nursery straight up until school starts. That's what we did and ours just started reception this year. Two of her friends from nursery moved on to the same school with her, but she's had no problems making new friends in her class, even though some of them already knew each other from the village preschool. Personally, I think the flexibility of having year round nursery and more flexible hours is an advantage and if he's settled where he is, I'd keep him there. They are technically learning the same things as its all set nationally anyway, even in private nursery. There is very little they need to 'know' anyway before they start school other than how to use the toilet, manage their own belongings and personal hygiene, and ideally how to recognise and write their names.