Starting preschool - anyone else nervous?!

[Sootgremlin]

I know there have been a few Reception threads, but anyone got a little one starting preschool/playgroup for the first time want to wring hands with me?!

It's 3.4 ds first day tomorrow, I'm settling him in all morning, but it's his first time in any kind of childcare and it's crept up on me and I feel underprepared. I've been mainly thinking how much he'll enjoy it, but now I'm worried it's going to be a shock to him, the reality of suddenly having a stranger looking after him, taking him to the loo etc seems very odd!

I've discussed it in passing with him, that he'll want to stay there without me with his new friends and he just says breezily, 'but I'd like you to come too, Mummy, let's just both go'. Not sure what more I should be doing to get him ready or what he'll need?

In addition he's only been out of nappies for a fortnight, still won't let us know when he needs to go, but does go quite happily when taken, scared it'll be too much too soon and he'll get set back. He's only going for a couple of mornings and it will give me some much needed time with his sister. Want to keep him at home but feel selfish as think he'll love it and it will good for all of us to have some routine. But....

My DD (3.8) is starting full time nursery/preschool today.

She started going for 2 half days when she turned 2 and did 2 1/2 days when she turned 3 and got 15 hours free but it has still felt like a big step for her to go full time!

She loves going and has really benefitted from the interaction with other children so its just me that is suffering today.

I'm counting down the hours till hometime

DS is due to start his funded place in February because of his birthday and the way the system works here he was allocated his place in May and had his induction in June which has given me loads and loads of time to freak out about it! I always knew he would be going at 3 but getting the letter for the place made it very real that he would be away from me every morning :(

I'm not so worried about DS I'm more worried I'll have a melt down and have to be escorted from the nursery in tears trying to cling on to DS's leg

That's made me feel better and worse, youmywifenowdave (like your username btw, DH and I are always saying that to each other!). Like you say, I think he will really benefit from going he's really ready to have some little mates and be a it busier, but I'm really going to miss him!

kiki we've just moved to the area so it's been a bit rushed and we haven't even had time to visit it properly, but we went to a fayre they had and I've met some of the people. I just don't think he is going to grasp it being different to a toddler group. Your last sentence is exactly what I'm afraid of doing!

Yes miaow know how you feel about the nappies, we had failed attempts earlier in the summer and we've only just got it by the skin of our teeth. I'm glad he won't be going in nappies (although he's quite a bit older than your dd, so you have time), but I would have liked a few more weeks to get him really settled, worried he will have accidents again with no one to preempt them and he'll lose confidence.

Only got him to do a wee on the toilet on Monday for the first time and was so relieved as wasn't sure what they'd have there. Feel like I'm just slinging him in the deep end.

why don't you try dry like me pads or training pants for he first few days then if he wets himself it's not such a big deal he would still need changed but with DS I found it was much calmer for him than just pants where the wee is everywhere and it's a mission to clean up. I know there is a lot of negative things about training pants but we used pull ups for 7 months then into normal pants unless we were at soft play/toddler group or long car journeys. Ds still told us when he wet himself because they still feel soaked inside.

direct.asda.com/Bambino-Mio-Washable-Training-Pants-White-3-Years/002694407,default,pd.html&cmpid=ppc--ad-pla--ggle-pla--Babies-and-Kids--002694407&cm_mmc=ad-ppc--ggle-pla--Babies-and-Kids-_-002694407&istCompanyId=71f4ae42-94c5-4821-aa58-05eff6da2486&istItemId=xiqxiqtar&istBid=tztx

Yes that's a good idea, I did pick up a two pack of training pants but then hadn't used them as he took to the regular ones so well.

Think they could work well as he'd feel enough to say something but hopefully not get quite so wet it upsets him, thanks for the thought.