Did you decide not to send your child to pre school nursery?

[micegg]

DD is able to start at pre school nursery (attached to school of choice) next year which as I understand it would be 5 days a week for 2.5 hour sessions. I am about to go on mat leave and dont know if/when I will return. If I don't go back to work I will probably send her to pre school nursery.However:

At the moment she goes to nursery for 2 days a week whilst I work. If I do return to work (most likely) then I would prefer this option as it means her and the baby will be at the same nursery, I wont have to find care for the rest of the day as I would if she were at pre school and I dont have to worry about holidays, etc.

If I go for option 2 she will stay at her current nursery until she goes to school - which will be almost 5 as her birthday is October and she would start school in the September before. That would mean she would be in a room of 3-5 year olds at her nursery. A friend of mine went for option one even though it caused a load of hassle trying to find wrap around and school holiday care because she felt it was better for her child to mix with the children she will probably go on to school with and be in a more formal school environment. For example she said her DC knew all her numbers and could write her name, etc which she doent think would have happened at a nursery.

I am just not sure all this really matters ar such a young age. Am I wrong? I know the nursery follows the same curriculum as schools but I guess it may be less structured if DD is only there for 2 days a week versus 5 days a week at the same time, etc.

Have any of you not sent their DC to pre school and when they have begun school at 4/5 what was your experience?

Good luck, it sounds like you found the best thing for your DD for the time being.

Could I just clarify some misconceptions here too please?

Pre-schools are usually attached to schools,can be in a village hall a more formal/school-type environment OFSTED inspected & a good way to introduce you child to the school he/she may attend but NOT compulsory.

Nurseries-often independant but sometimes attached/close to/run by schools but often longer hours than pre-schools & often a less structured routine, also OFSTED inspected and sometimes a more learning-through -play environment.

Both are supposed to offer you the 2.5 hours voucher sessions-you can get the money deducted from your fees,which really helps.They kick in the term after the third birthday.

Don't worry about a child learning to read or write- it is not neccessary before starting school, if they are ready & want to before then fine, but they need to have the gross motor skills that they get through play,plus having the social skills of toileting themselves,taking turns, dressing & undressing etc. They get no less "education" at nursery just run in a different way!

We send them to school FAR earlier than their European peers, and they don't always benefit from it.

Basically look at YOUR child's needs do what YOU feel is right for them within the context of your family set-up/work hours/pick ups etc.

Sorry for the hijack OP but I do worry about the pressure being put on mums to start formal education so early.

BB thats OK. I agree with you. The only reason DD would be in any sort of nrsery would be whilst I work. I dont want her to go into pre school (attached to school) 5 days a week as I think we only have so much time together and I would rather spend it doing other things.

Good on you- you do what's right for you then micegg & enjoy the mix of work & time at home with her, as you say time goes so quickly at that age & you don't get it back!!!

(& I say that as a nursery owner!!! )