Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Should I pull LO out of preschool?

14 replies

SparklingNarwhal · 04/08/2023 07:33

This is a complex issue.

We suspect our LO has either ADHD or austism (or both), he's on the waiting list for a diagnosis but it's a 12 month wait.

He's been in nursery since 6 months part time but things became 'problematic' just before he started preschool (3 to 4). Biting and scratching. They dealt with it best they could by removing him from the situation and we tried to teach him how to express his feelings and to keep hand on own body and teeth with only for food and discipline at home.

In preschool, one of the children he hurt, we'll call him Kay, has been upset with my son ever since. On pick ups Kay will tell me everything my son has done wrong that day and will try to disclpine my son over everything he does, particularly when he's sensory seeking to calm down, until he lashes out, that what some of the staff have told me that happens. I know 4 year olds will be 4 year olds, noones innocent or a bully. But it is weary constantly being told by Kay and his mum about how bad my child is, because she will repeat to me everything Kay tells her at home.

LO's can be very reactive, and his actions are bigger than needed for the given situation. It's an known issue at home and preschool. So we've tried sticker charts, zen patches (essential oil stickers), now and next tactic, practicing breathing exercises for him to use at preschool (though this one is tricky to land, he FIGHTS doing this), fidget popper in his bag for sensory seeking. It doesn't help he's VERY bright, there's nothing new to learn there for him, another reason I think he acts up, boredom.

In January his teacher left and since then it's been a string of different people, 3 different teachers have been and gone and I've noted there's hasn't been any constructive teaching since Jan either, not to mention we haven't had a parenting evening since before COVID. Then 2 months ago LOs best friend left the preschool and he's been lost since then. He's been more miserable going in. And now the SENCO is only in half days. And so he become more disruptive yet again. It's become par for the course, change in routine? He's unsettled and disregulated.

He starts school in sept, had 2 transition days and LOVED IT! Buuuuut it's made going to preschool harder, he's over it, you can tell.

What I'm asking is, should I pull him out?

It'll make my life super difficult for the summer since I could REALLY use the childcare but he's started to call himself a bad kid (never been said at home). I feel like I'm desperately trying to keep him on the straight and narrow with all these tips and tricks, to the point of micromanaging only for it go tits up as soon as I pass him over to preschool to the new rando who's watching his class for the day.

I have raised these issues with the preschool but they said they're doing the best they can with the staff they have and I get that but at this point I need what best for my son.

I'm thinking of just giving him a break and trying to get him mentally prepped for school. I've already spoken to his new teacher about him and his needs and she's been warm and receptive. Now we'll just wait and see and hopefully get an EHCP


Advise we've turned to so far:

We've been reading how to talk to kids so they'll listen and half way through the whole brained child, also got colour monster goes to school for LO and a few other books.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
TropicalTrama · 04/08/2023 07:39

Yes I’d pull him out given it’s summer and he’s starting school in a month. Mine did term time only preschool so they had most of July and all of August off anyway. If he’s not enjoying it and it’s become a stress then may as well cut your losses now.

DustyLee123 · 04/08/2023 07:40

It sounds like pre school is making him worse, so yes, pull him out before it causes any more problems.
I hope school is a better environment for him.

YourNameGoesHere · 04/08/2023 07:41

I'd pull him out. He starts school in a few weeks and it's very likely that most of his peers have already left the nursery ready for the move to school.

If there is any way at all you could make it work childcare wise for the next 4 weeks I would definitely remove him.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Sadiegirl87 · 04/08/2023 07:42

Based on what you said I'd definitely pull him, he's not happy or learning anything so the only reason to have him in is the childcare aspect. He would probably settle better into school if he has a break, mine is off preschool over the summer

AbacusAvocado · 04/08/2023 07:42

I’d definitely pull him out. I have an autistic 6 year old and it would be so upsetting to hear him say he’s a bad kid, he needs to be out of that environment. Also he has a better chance of doing well in school if he starts out reasonably happy and relaxed: autistic burnout is a massive massive issue, he needs a break before school starts if you can possibly manage it.

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 04/08/2023 08:29

Also he has a better chance of doing well in school if he starts out reasonably happy and relaxed: autistic burnout is a massive massive issue, he needs a break before school starts if you can possibly manage it.

^This.

If you can manage the childcare aspect I would take him out of Preschool now.

SparklingNarwhal · 04/08/2023 08:48

It broke my heart, he was teary when he said it.

I do think he needs a reset. He has a graduation day on the 17th. I was going to keep going until then but I might just remove him and go back for the one day, for part of the day like a party for 2 hours.

OP posts:
SparklingNarwhal · 04/08/2023 08:51

I've been airing my woes to my mum and she's said she's prepared to look after him for a few days a week.
I work part time, and I think I can wrangle away around it.

OP posts:
4YOWoe · 04/08/2023 08:53

We have had a not dissimilar experience. Very bright 4yo, possibly but not definitely some additional needs, made fast friends with 2 boys with significant additional needs, lots of pushing hitting and biting from all sides. Lots of staff turnover and inconsistent behaviour management. I dreaded pickup time every day.

I have actually pulled ds out of nursery and moved him into his primary schools summer holiday club and it has been the right move. They have clearer boundaries and more consistent staffing. Ds confidence in himself is improving and his behaviour has been much better (once a week rather than daily). I am relieved we moved him although the transfer hasn't been smooth.

I also use lots of strategies from how to talk, its a good book.

I do think lots of kids outgrow preschool at this time of year particularly those older in the year (DS is September).

Singleandproud · 04/08/2023 08:56

I would pull him out if there was other opportunities for him to engage with other children with you there to supervise otherwise starting school in a room of 25+ after a quiet summer will be hard.

Look for groups at your local library or community centre and see if there are any specific ND ones that will accept you whilst on the waiting list.

Exposure to animals and music therapy are super useful for children who are ND, even if you can't do lessons having access to music or instruments is important for many to reregulate. DD is older and gets the days 'grrs' out on her electric drumkit.

SparklingNarwhal · 04/08/2023 08:58

I think he out grew it last year, and it's been a slog since.

It seems my gut instinct is right to pull him.

OP posts:
TeddyBeans · 04/08/2023 09:03

Your poor baby, get him out of there before they permanently damage his self esteem! And tell the other mum to bore off, you're not interested in her negativity and complete lack of compassion towards your ND child

SparklingNarwhal · 04/08/2023 10:11

Just had an email from the nursery and yet ANOTHER Preschool has gone and they've hired a new one for Sept!

That's kinda annoyed me and set me up fully pull him out.

OP posts:
AbacusAvocado · 04/08/2023 11:08

Definitely. Pull him out, give him a break, reassure him that he’s a good boy.
And tell the other mum to fuck off.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread