Our family set up is 1 SAHP and 1 WFH parent. We have 3 DC, 2 now at school.
We sent both of our older DC to pre school for 2 - 3 mornings or short days a week from about 3.5. This felt right as I felt like they were getting some preparation for a school setting.
My youngest is now nearly 4 and we wanted him to have somewhere between 6 - 9 months at pre school before joining school. The on site (to our primary school) has no places. I really wasn't expecting this; it is an excellent nursery but large and also the area doesn't have many young families in it.
The other nurseries in our area are far away and we don't drive, plus DC wouldn't have any connections to the areas either.
Are any children in this day and age starting school without going to nursery/preschool?
As we know which school he will be 99.99% going to, we know the phonics method they use so will get the pre school flash cards. He goes to soft play, has siblings, has lots of interaction and is great at talking. He can dress himself fine, doesn't nap. He is NOT completely confident without a nappy when going out, even though he is more than capable of recognising when he needs the toilet and all poos are on the toilet without fail. He is still wet at night (my other 2 were dry by this point).
He only has 8 months. He seems ever so little to be going to school. Part of me is relieved they have no places, but part of me is dreadfully worried. Would he be at a disadvantage which is just not seen anymore? Or are teachers still seeing at least some proportion of children going straight into reception?
Please try not to bash me over my lack of preparedness, it has been a dreadful and traumatic year with lots of upheaval and we did sleepwalk into this situation.