OMG DS starts playgroup on monday!

[tweetyfish]

I rang yesterday fully expecting to be on a waiting list (thought easter, maybe christmas) and the lady's rung back that he can start 3 days a week starting monday with a visit and then properly tuesday!

I'm in shock - he's never been left with anyone other than grandparents, and although he's so excited already I'm shaking!!!

I don't even have a clue what to expect! Do I take DD (9months) to the visit? Can we still have holidays or is attendance compulsory? Will he change from the little boy I know? Why does my mum keep going on about his peg!? What do I put in his backpack (the lady told me it needed to have his name on it, but what in it?!) AAAARRRGGHHHHHHH! If I'm this bad at the thought of playgroup what will school be?!

Anyone got any pearls of wisdom? I realise that there have been a lot of threads about starting school this week......

Ds started nursery a couple of months back so I know how you feel.

With ds nursery the visit day was him playing and doing all the nursery stuff, ut with me there just to see how he gets on. Also good because you can see if you like the playgroup and puts your mind at rest. With regards to you dd, could you phone and ask them?

You need to ask about their policies with regards to holiday and attendence. Ds goes to a strict playgroup (actually it is a nursery and he does sessions that they name 'pre school' session - but is really play group!). We have to give a months notice.
This is why the visit day is important - so you can ask questions. Perhaps write your questions down.

with regards to the back pack, ds has 1. a spare change of clothes and his juice cup and sun cream. Everything has his name on (you can write in biro!) His nursery supply nappies and wipes, but if your ds is not potty trained you need to ask about whether you supply these.

I know how you are feeling. When ds first started I was a nervous wreck and a hoverer! But now I drop him off and go and I must admit dont think about it. He is starting 5 days a week (term time only) in 2 weeks and I am looking forward to the time for myslef.

Perhaps make sure that you have stuff to do initially so you arent thinking about it too much.

believe me it will be great. your ds will make friends and learn to socialise and you can have some time with your dd. You will get used to it and the good thing is playschool will tire him out, so easy bedtimes! lol

thanks for replying emily05! think i'll get my mum to look after DD so that's one less thing off my mind!
Have just burst into tears ordering sew-on name tags, really didn't think it would happen so soon, but I think for DS it's the right thing to do. It's just me that has to be able to cope!

Ds has just had his first morning! I stayed for about 10 mins..long enough to chat to people I know!!! Then said ok I'm going now see you later!! Went back early thinking he might be missing me..ended up in kitchen drinking tea till end of session!!!

yes you can take baby along...its a child friendly place!! It might be nice for Ds jusyt to go with you though!

I put spare clothes in bag plus 'snuggy' just incase!

tweetyfish - believe me in the long run the tears will dry and you will be smiling!

SInce going to nursery ds development has come on leaps and bounds. It is so great to see them grow, which I think playschool helps. They get little friends as well which is lovely.

You will also find the time you get back such a relief, and then you will also appreciate the time you have with you ds when he gets home.

let us know how he gets on! And dont worry, at first it will feel strange but within a couple of weeks both you and ds will be used to it