Preparing DD for school nursery. Will she be ready?!

[Jdf86]

Applying for my DD to go to nursery (part of a primary school) in September 21. She will be just over 3. She doesn't go to nursery now as I'm a SAHM. I'm really worried as to whether she will be ready - the school only offer full time places so it'll be 9-3 daily which seems a lot. Before covid we went to lots of classes but not so much recently so she's not socialised with other kids too much lately - hoping this will improve soon though! Any other parents had their child go from being at home to nursery full time around this age?

I know it's a long way off and she'll grow up a lot this year so I'm probably being stupid to worry. She still naps in the day - should I be trying to stop this as it gets closer to the time of her going? Any other things we could do to prepare her? She's potty trained already and is pretty good with cutlery.

I really wouldn’t worry about preparing for something almost a year away, she’ll be a different child by then and we’ll be in a different situation with covid.

If by next summer she’s still napping then maybe cut it back a bit. Start leaving her with friends and family sometimes. But you don’t need to change anything now.

My DS started nursery recently at 10 months and does 8-6 3 days (will move to 4 days when I start work). There are even younger babies there doing 5 days per week full time. So I imagine she’ll be fine after the initial settling in period as long as the nursery is a decent one. Just make sure they have a good app / online messaging system and that your child has a names key worker who takes responsibility for communicating with you.

One of the most difficult things just now is children have been with their parents 24:7 during recent months. The children we find easiest to settle at our nursery are those that are used to going to toddler groups, or staying overnight with granny etc. If possible, when you can, get out and about with her and socialise with other children.

Hopefully by next spring there will be more opportunities for toddler socialising.

Remember though... Part of the purpose of the preschool year is to prepare them for school. She doesn't need to be fully ready at the beginning.

My son went to nursery 8.30am - 5.30pm from 9 months. He was fine. Your daughter will be too.

To those posters referring to their pre- 3 year olds going to nursery it’s very different to a 3 year old that hasn’t been in a nursery setting.

A 9 month going to nursery everyday and continuing in childcare until school age is very different.

@Jdf86 it can be very worrying but the school should have some sort of settling in process. This might look different based on the covid situation next year but it won’t Be a case of drop and leave.

Nursery school staff are experienced are working with this age group. Your little one will be find it tough initially and this can vary for different children but the school will be there to support. And tough in the sense of either the long hours, activities, or being away from you.

Is there anything you can access at the moment? E.g 2 year old preschool?

My child is 2.5 and I’ve just started him
2 mornings a week at a local preschool. I’m not entitled any funding but we’re able to afford this even though I am currently a sahp

@NJool Thanks, I definitely feel that it's different to a baby starting nursery full time. Due to a member of our household shielding, pre school isn't really an option at the moment. Hopefully it could be by spring though. How has your little one found it?

Personally I think that’s a lot. If you’re planning on staying a sahm you have a massive advantage in not needing childcare. I think some nursery is really important but I loved my free days with my little one. I also think my reception aged child learnt just as much from activities as she did at nursery. If I was a sahm there is no way I’d do full time. My ideal I think would be 3 days. I also think some school nurseries are stricter than private nurseries.

@Jdf86 just to clarify my son only went 2 days a week from 9 months to school age.