What's the benefit of preschool?

[Youdonthavetobegood]

Apologies for my naivite! I should probably know what preschool is by now but I don't.
Our 3 yo son is currently at nursery when I'm at work 3 days a week (8-6 so longish hours).
People have asked me if I'm going to send him to preschool- which would be school hours I guess and for more days. I could just about swing it with work to change my hours, but is there much benefit for him? Is it more structured? Advice much appreciated, as we were just imagining sticking to the normal nursery until school but now a bit confused. Also he's old in his year so will be nearly 5 by the time he starts reception.

If you need it for childcare then stick to what you are using already. They should cover the same stuff anyway.

Our nursery has a preschool room - unless it is very small yours probably does too. I don't think there is any benefit to a school one- probably less well funded than a private nursery too.

The one thing I would say is at dc school a lot of kids come up from the on site preschool. So the kids and parents know each other before starting school. It doesn't bother me but I have heard others complain it made it harder for their dc

I was also stuck on what to do.
We're keeping him at the private nursery because;
It's all year round, no term times only
Longer days
He loves it (very simple reason but I didn't want to pull him out and change when he's so happy)

As PP have said it’s likely the nursery have a pre-school curriculum. It does what it says on the tin - it prepares them for a school environment. Mostly sitting down and getting changed for PE but also early literacy and numeracy.

The school my DD went to had a pre-school setting and it was useful for the above but also meant that she was familiar with the buildings and staff before she started reception so it was such an easy transition.

Thanks all, that's really useful to know. Definitely not in a hurry to start those 3pm finish days, so will hold off if there's not much in it!

He might know some other kids when he gets to reception, if he goes to the one the preschool is attached to. Suppose it gets them used to wearing a uniform too?

That’s about it tbh. I think it’s mainly for parents who don’t need nursery for childcare or younger siblings of primary school aged children as then it’s cut down to one drop off and pick up location.

There is no difference in what they will learn as both settings will follow the EYFS. He will have all his friends at nursery and if it’s local some of those will go to reception with him. I’d keep him where he’s settled until school.