Nursery question

[yentirb]

Hi,

Mum of two toddler boys (3&1) here.. they've both been in private nursery since they where very small and both seem to be coming on great, have built up relationships with most of the staff there and my eldest has some friends there.

Do I need to send them to school nursery?

DS (3) is an October baby so doesn't go to school until next year, I have no friends with children. If possible I'd like to keep them at their private nursery, is this a thing?

I'm hoping to move house before they start school so I don't want to put them through lots of change. It took my eldest a long time to settle in.

You should pick the childcare that works beats for you and your family. Staying in private nursery rather than going to school nursery is definitely a thing.

Of course you can keep them at private nursery. Most people who work won't move their child to a nursery that will likely finish no later than 3.30pm at 3 years old as they will still need the wrap round care until they finish work for the day.

I'm guessing school nursery would be term time only? I'd keep them in Private Nursery unless you can suddenly summon up around 19 weeks of annual holiday a year.

One of mine went to the school nursery and one stayed in private. After 2 weeks you can't tell which ones went where.

Lots of people stick with private nursery. School nursery is typically term time only but the holiday camps/clubs usually don’t take nursery age. So it doesn’t work massively well for 2 working parents. Plus since you also have a younger one there’s a lot to be said for keeping them in the same place whilst you still can. The only thing I’d keep in mind is if there’s priority entry to reception for the school nursery kids but that’s probably only a thing if you’re applying to a selective private.

I would have said it's more common to keep them in private nursery than move them for a year. Both mine only went to private. Most school nursery will only be school hours, term time, so not helpful if you need full time care.

Thanks, they'll be staying put then

I'm not moving my daughter, she's happy and has some really nice friends.

Do what works for you.
I didn't move my eldest because the school nursery didn't offer full time. The private fees were lower too them.
I did move my 2nd, and will be moving my 3rd because full time is now available and I'm fed up with the extortionate private fees.

Mine started private nursery in January at the age of 3 (15 hours funded). I'm planning to keep him at private until next year September when he starts reception.

You've got to do what works for you. I don't qualify for the 30 hours funded because I don't work enough hours, so private works for us as a family. Plus the added benefit of earlier drop off and later pick up is a godsend especially on the 1 day I do work during the week.