Preschool attached the school experiences age 3?

[Pantheon]

Can't work out whether to send DD age 3 and a bit or wait until she's nearly 4. She has a slow to warm up temperament - chatty at home and with people and friends she knows well, not a big fan of loud groups of kids and a bit cautious with new people. Just wanted to hear others' experiences. Up until now she has been at home with me so would be a big change.

*title should be attached 'to' the school!

I'm guessing she won't start school itself until 2022?

Would she be able to just do a couple of sessions a week until September, then go for the 15hrs then.

My youngest started at school preschool a couple of weeks after her third birthday. She loved it... But the handovers were stressful. She was then fine after the summer holidays.

Thanks @Aroundtheworldin80moves. Yes, wouldn't start school until 2222. Do you know if most preschools offer part time places? That would be ideal I think.

If you're in the UK, preschools will offer 15h/w (term time only) which is government funded. Usually there are options as to how to use the hours eg 3h x 5 days or 5h x 3 days.

It's free childcare, it's a no brainer surely And it's also good for them, that's why the government funds it.

Mine started the term after his 3rd birthday. Our school pre-school only have the option for part time anyway as they're oversubscribed so everyone gets a max 15 hours - most children do half days, but mine did 2 full days and one half day to fit round my working days. He loved it and despite a break when they closed for lockdown it meant he was absolutely fine when he started school in September. He was familiar with the classroom environment, hall where they have school dinners, wearing a uniform etc. Preschool was a really positive experience, although he was already familiar with a nursery environment anyway as he'd been in a private nursery prior to starting preschool.

Is it school nursery or a preschool/wrap around which happens on the school site?

100% yes to school nursery. I would also strong consider her going to some kind of provision without you before starting school at 4 years old.

Thanks everyone. Helps to hear other experiences. It'd be a school nursery. I'd definitely send her before starting school, just whether to do it as a young 3 or a going on 4 year old

Why would you not?

Sorry just to clarify why would you not send DC as soon as they are eligible (ie term after 3rd birthday), why wait?

@NameChange30 just concerned it might be a bit too much for her, 5 mornings or afternoons a week. Wouldn't hesitate if she were really extroverted.

The little girl I look after started a school nursery in September when she had just turned three, because of covid there wasn't the gentle, gradual settling in that her brothers had and she found it a bit difficult for the first few sessions. She's naturally quite shy but she has flourished and loves going to nursery now - it's lovely to see her personality develop and hear her chatting about the friends she's made and the activities she's done. I would definitely give it a go.

Most childcare settings have settling in sessions, so they don't go from nothing to the full 15 hours immediately.

IMO the fact that she's shy makes it more important to start now. Also I think you can get really hung up on whether childcare/preschool is right for your particular child whereas the reality is that all children have needs, even outgoing ones might struggle sometimes, and childcare professionals have training and experience in meeting those needs. She won't be the only shy child!

The way I see it, if she starts in (say) Jan 2021, she'll have a good 18 months at preschool to develop her confidence there, whereas if she starts in (say) Jan 2022, she'll only have about 6 months which isn't long at all before she will have to adapt to another change (starting school).

Have you not left her with anyone else before?

I’d send her the sooner you can to be honest, get her as prepared for school as possible. When DS started school last year (reception) he had been a nursery full time for a few years same with his peers however you could see those who hadn’t been away from parents much or had done limited time at nursery. They found the transition so so much harder. Personally start that now if your DD isn’t great with new people etc

You don’t need to send her the full 15 hours. My 2 year old started this year because no groups were running. She started with 3 hours and went up to 6. I might go up to 9 when she turns 3 and then 12 in the summer before she turns 4. I personally don’t feel the need to use all the hours but will do what suits us at the time.

@NannyR that's so nice to hear!

@NameChange30 yes, true, won't be the only shy child and all kids have different needs. My dh was super shy when he first started school and found it overwhelming (wouldn't say he was a shy person now) so maybe that's what I'm a bit concerned about. I have left her with friends and family before but since covid only my mum. She could start soon but there are other intakes throughout the year too.

Do you know how many children are in the preschool class? It's probably a smaller number than a primary school class, and there are bubbles atm anyway. Going from nothing to full-time primary is a much bigger scarier step than going from nothing to part-time preschool.

@NameChange30 I don't know how big the group is and that's something I would like to find out. Does seem to be a popular school.