Mixed age pre school... Advice

[Dixie29]

Hi, bit of a niche one so not sure if anyone will have any views/advice on it but basically my son is at a private nursery (0-4 yrs) and he is now in the pre school age group which is 3 and over.

I do have worries that because it is not a dedicated pre school (one attached to a school) he may not receive the same learning opportunities/ preparation for school but he can't go to a term time only nursery due to my work.

Anyway they just emailed to say that they are merging the groups so he will now be in a class of 2 year olds- school age. They are trying to say this is really beneficial for the children but I think it may just be to help with staffing issues they are they are having. I'm worried this is going to hinder his learning/education even more. I'm thinking about moving him but reluctant to do so as he starts school in Sept. Am I overreacting? Anyone have any experience of this? Thank you

Personally I don't really think you need to worry about a 3yo's education as such; as long as they are being exposed to different experiences all the time (which if it's a good nursery he will be) they are like little sponges. It's the social and emotional development which is important at that age. Under 5s develop at such different rates that he might well not even notice the age difference between himself and some of his classmates. If you like the setting, trust the staff and he's happy then I wouldn't worry about it

DS was in 'big side' aka the preschool room from end of lockdown one so just before 3 til he went to school this september, without much transition thanks to said lockdown and nursery being closed at that point. There weren't so many children in there that they didn't learn etc- he came along brilliantly socially too, and it was noted that he was very good at helping younger children with transition/ routines.

Absolutely didn't harm him and he's now flying at school after a term, which is, in part, down to nursery. He still talks very happily about it when we drive past, and is always happy to see his former key worker when she's picking up her child from the same primary school.

He was/ is fairly late on gross motor skills but academically pretty good- many younger children doing things he physically couldn't etc

And, this phase is about school readiness. If you're only thinking about moving him, and haven't already found a place, he'll barely be settled in to a new preschool in time anyway before he leaves again.
Has his allocated primary got a preschool? If Covid hadn't interfered so much, DS would hopefully have had some sessions at the preschool attached to his primary.

Would you say the nursery staff have generally seemed to know your son as an individual, where he's at with various skills and interests, and build on them? If so, I wouldn't automatically worry about the larger age group – a good nursery should still be able to do that with a somewhat wider age range.

A lot of the activities they're doing can be done at different levels, anyhow. Painting, for example, one does mark-making, another paints what they say is a dog, and a third paints a clearly identifiable cat and attempts to write c-a-t. They've all done a fun, valuable learning activity, and a staff member going round who knows the children should be able to engage with each one at their level.

My LO goes to a fairly small nursery. They have two groups: 10months-2ish years and then 2ish-school leavers. The older ones split into smaller age based groups to do adult led activities with their key workers. I think it works really well. If your son has been there a while, they should know him well enough to know how to challenge/support him through whatever activities and play are going on.

My son’s nursery is like that. I think it’s great for the 2-3 year olds but not good for the older ones! By the time
My
Eldest was almost at school and having out with just turned 2 year olds was rubbish

I’d not be overly keen on the 2-4 age group but it would depend on the set up & staff levels. I’d want reassurance the pre-school kids are doing separate, focused activities suitable for their very different age. My DD did daily phonics sessions at her private nursery & lots of numeracy & letter activities that a 2 year old would have no clue about! 2 year olds are also quite destructive. My toddler knocks over towers of blocks & is heavy handed with toys as toddlers are. She regularly annoys her big sister just by walking through the middle of a game she’s set up 🙈 We do tuff trays & DD1 plays beautifully with it making up stories etc.. DD2 mostly just messes it up. And that’s normal but in a nursery setting I’d want reassurance the older kids have chance to play their more complex games & with activities that aren’t interrupted by younger kids!