Changing setting

[AlltheFs]

DD is a Sept born so doesn’t start school until Sept 24. She has been at an amazing nursery since she was 13 months. We really love it and have continued to use it even though we moved away and it is now a 15 mile/30 min drive each way. DD goes for 4 long days and after the 30hrs and tax free childcare it’s about £550pm inc 3 meals and all snacks, consumables.

The tiny preschool in our new village is going to open all year from September 23 (term time only now), it is open slightly shorter hours but as it’s on our doorstep we could manage it. Plus we could get rid of a car potentially, it will cost about £270pm but doesn’t include meals-we’d need to do breakfast beforehand and take packed lunch, no tea.

It is much smaller though, only a quarter of the size and fewer facilities. I’m also super anxious about moving a happy child!

The preschool is next door to the school that we are 99.99% going to use, we are one of the closest catchment houses and it would be very convenient. But also worried about it being smaller with a mixed age room and less flashy things.

Would you move a 4 year old for one year? It’s a no brainer financially but my heart and head are conflicted.

DS starts school in Sept and we thought about moving him last year but decided not to mainly for practical reasons. I think it was right for him but what I will say though is he is now in the 'big' room at his nursery and he's mainly with people the academic year below him. A lot of his year group peers left to do a year in a preschool setting (or a preschool attached to their preferred primary school). When we talked to the deputy head of his chosen primary school, he said c.28 of the 42 children starting in Reception in Sept would have been at the attached nursery and, in hindsight, it might have been better to move him so he made friends before starting school. Generally though, I think kids tend to be pretty flexible so I'd also be tempted to go with what works best for you!