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Original poster

DS to start afternoon sessions preschool in sept but still has afternoon naps!

12 replies

Linz2 · 30/04/2008 14:50

DS will be 2yrs 9 months in sept when he starts afternoon sessions at my chosen local preschool (would have preferred mornings but that will be following year). He currently sleeps through approx 10 hours per night and has a 2 hr nap in the afternoon 1 to 3 which suits me just fine! However, will obviously not be able to have this nap in sept so would you start reducing/cutting out the nap now or wait until nearer the time. Do think he will be ok not having a nap at that age? and I assume his night time sleep will lengthen accordingly. Also the preschool starts at 12:15 (again a pain) so will be having to get lunch down him pretty quickly 11:30 ish does anyone find this a problem? They are open 4 days and have booked him in for 4 days but because he will be my only child and like spending time with himI like to take him swimming and we go to toddler group and do other activities I really would only like him to go for a couple of sessions a week am I being selfish? Would send him for the full sessions next year in his preschool year. Would appreciate any comments

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Original poster
Linz2 · 30/04/2008 14:50

DS will be 2yrs 9 months in sept when he starts afternoon sessions at my chosen local preschool (would have preferred mornings but that will be following year). He currently sleeps through approx 10 hours per night and has a 2 hr nap in the afternoon 1 to 3 which suits me just fine! However, will obviously not be able to have this nap in sept so would you start reducing/cutting out the nap now or wait until nearer the time. Do think he will be ok not having a nap at that age? and I assume his night time sleep will lengthen accordingly. Also the preschool starts at 12:15 (again a pain) so will be having to get lunch down him pretty quickly 11:30 ish does anyone find this a problem? They are open 4 days and have booked him in for 4 days but because he will be my only child and like spending time with himI like to take him swimming and we go to toddler group and do other activities I really would only like him to go for a couple of sessions a week am I being selfish? Would send him for the full sessions next year in his preschool year. Would appreciate any comments

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Bramshott · 30/04/2008 14:52

Oh why do so many preschools insist on doing this - taking the youngest children in the afternoons and the older ones in the mornings?!

That said, my DD1 gave up her afternoon sleep at about 2 yrs.

Bramshott · 30/04/2008 14:53

Oh sorry, and Linz2 - you are not IN ANY WAY being selfish to only send him a couple of sessions a week. Much better to start gradually!

CantSleepWontSleep · 30/04/2008 14:56

You should be best placed to know whether he is likely to be ok without a nap or not. My dd is 2.2 and has dropped her nap already (and doesn't sleep correspondingly longer at night), and goes to nursery school 2 afternoons a week. Other people have 3 year olds who still take a nap, so each child is different. What is he like now if he doesn't have a nap?

I wouldn't start cutting them yet though. September is still 4 months away, and a lot can change in a child's life in 4 months. I would wait until about a month before and then try to cut them back.

Can you not do the other activities you are talking about in the mornings and at weekends?

Original poster
Linz2 · 30/04/2008 14:57

Thanks for prompt reply Bramshott, you say your daughter gave up her sleep but I would be forcing him to do it, although he has over the last month or so missed out a couple of his own choice and was happy enough. The preschool said that they could not guarantee increasing the 2 days in the first year because it is a popular preschool, do you think 2 sessions per week until next sept is ok?

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Original poster
Linz2 · 30/04/2008 15:04

Thanks cantsleepwontsleep, yes will look again at naptime nearer the time. A lot of the other activities we already do with other mums/children are mornings I just didn't want him to be shattered before he gets to preschool, but maybe I am being a bit over the top, its all new to me!

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Original poster
Linz2 · 30/04/2008 15:07

Forgot to ask cantsleepwontsleep, your dd attends nursery 2 afternoons a week, are you intending to increase this before her preschool year?

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Bramshott · 30/04/2008 15:08

Hmm, that's a bit tricky then. Can you book him in for 4 (would they all be covered by the grant anyway) and then be flexible about if / when you send him?

CantSleepWontSleep · 30/04/2008 15:13

Yes Linz - I'm intending that from September (when she'll be 2 yrs 8 months) she'll do 2 full days and 2 half days. I don't think that all children are ready for this much this young though, but know that dd is. It also works out nicely in time for dc2 to arrive in October!

Original poster
Linz2 · 30/04/2008 15:13

Hi Bramshott, he starts sept 07 and his funding starts from Jan 08 but either way I think if you book 4 sessions you need to take them as they could offer unattended sessions to other parents, I will check. Do you think 2 sessions a week for his first year is not really enough then? I am so torn!

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Bramshott · 30/04/2008 16:06

I think the ideal might be to do something like 2 sessions until Christmas, and then 3 sessions from January or something, but every child is different. It's tricky because you don't know what he'll be ready for in January 09 (or even April 09) but you're being asked to decide now!

HonoriaGlossop · 30/04/2008 16:48

two sessions is PLENTY

Far better for him to have his sleep, have his swims with you, and his visits to playgroup with you anyway! Pre-school is a total 'add-on' to that, not compulsory or even necessary as you are social and go out with him anyway.

My son only went for three sessions at pre-school in the one term before he started school. I started him on one session and went up to two.

Don't worry about it - of course it's not selfish to give your DS what he needs when he's two which is time with you, mainly!

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