3 yo preschool dilemma

[Molecool]

I would like to send my soon-to-be 3 year old to preschool in September. He is a very quiet / reserved boy, does not cope well in chaos. These are my choices:

• Local pre-school, approx. 15 minute walk. Convenient so my 1 year old can nap in the pram on pick up, we can walk which is good exercise / fresh air, most children will go on to the local primary from this preschool. Felt chaotic on visiting, lots of children just sitting around, staff looking busy but not doing much, didn't get a great vibe. There were nice facilities though, like a little garden with sandpit etc.

• Another preschool, approx. 15 minute drive. Felt calmer, all children seemed happier and more engaged, staff sat with children interacting. My little boy engaged with staff and other children. Problem is: these children probably wouldn't be going to my most local primary, they would be going to the primary for this preschool in the village. My little boy may or may not get in there... who knows?!

Obviously how the children 'seemed' is just a snapshot and I know that's not a real picture of the place but it did help with the atmosphere / feeling.

Any advice would be great. I think he'd settle better and enjoy it more at the smaller preschool but I'm worried about him not knowing anyone when I send him off to primary.

Thank you!

I would go for the local school in this situation. The advantages you've mentioned are really important (walking to school, local friends etc).

We moved just prior to reception with both our DDs. They soon made friends. I wouldn't necessarily base my preschool decision on that.

Which one would you feel safer and happier leaving your child at?

Any chance you can visit again and see if you get the same impression? Walking to school is nice, going up to 'big school' with at least a couple of friends is nice. An environment where the children and staff are engaged and happy is much more than just nice, and it sounds like a relatively calm environment might be more than just nice for your wee boy.

Thank you for your replies. It does seem a better fit, the quieter nursery. I might ask if I can look round them again to be surer of what they feel like day to day. I imagine lots of children do start school from alternative nurseries etc but it is something to consider isn’t it, them having familiar faces during their first weeks.

Id definitely ask for a second visit if you're undecided. We were in a similar position and went with the local one, it was a ten minute walk from the house and it was lovely not to worry about traffic etc the majority of children went on to the attached school so was great DS had some close friends on starting. Saying that only 7 went into his class (the rest split between the other two classes) and some of his now close friends came from a different nursery.

Id definitely go with my gut and the vibe though

Thank you for replying. I’m going to arrange to have another look next week I think. I suppose either way it’s a bit of a risk and he might settle love them both!

Go for a second visit but choose the best nursery and don’t worry about reception yet- friendships change, admissions vary, lots of new children will start school that have been in other settings, if it’s more than 1 class the nursery kids will be split anyway, and if we’re talking about term time only preschools the kids have 2 months off over the summer so pretty much start from scratch when starting reception anyway! The most important thing is that he settles well and enjoys his time at preschool.