Starting playgroup around the birth of sibling - timing?

[BramwellHadThoughtOfEverything]

Our daughter aged 2 in January has so far not been to nursery or childcare as we work shifts round each other at the moment but loves all her usual toddlers and groups and is growing quite confident and independent when she’s there.

We’re in Scotland so she will have funding to start nursery 5 days a week age 3 next January (2021). We had thought that from maybe around 2.5yrs we would put her into a local playgroup a morning or afternoon a week just to get her used to being left in a similar (but smaller) environment before starting full time at school nursery.

We have found a playgroup we like and they could actually take her any time from January (just turned 2) until June (2.5). We are due our second baby at the end of March and want starting playgroup to be a positive thing for her and definitely not for her to feel pushed out for the baby.

Has anyone had any timings at all similar or any advice on whether starting in January a little younger but having a chance to be settled before the baby comes or starting a few months after the baby is born would be best?

My DD turns 3 in March and we are also expecting a baby in March. I'm hoping for her to start nursery/preschool in January so she has time to settle in before the baby arrives.

However if your DD wont be starting funded childcare for another year I wouldn't put her in nursery now. Wont it cost you a fortune for something you dont even need? I would start her in June so it's not too close to the baby's birth for her to make the connection and also she will be old enough to understand why shes going to preschool and have more fun there.