2 1/2 or 3 for playschool? Opinions/advice please

[ETsmum]

Hi We currently have ds (22m) down to start at playschool whhen he is 2 1/2, but considering waiting til he is 3 (and a couple of months.) "Educationally" wise (ie language, concentration etc) I have no worries, but he is still very clingy socially, esp in large groups of children. My instinct says not to rush him into a situation that I know at the mo will frighten him...... Can anyone suggest pros/cons for giving him another couple of terms just with me? We go to 3 groups per week already, and see friends as well so he is getting chance to practice social skills, and he is fine in a small group.

the school nurseries(state) are not allowed to refuse any child with a nappy on but they are not allowed to change it so you get a call if it needs changed as they have no facilities to nappy change.private nurseries have their own rules!

My ds's pre-school will change them for wee's but call you for poo. The one I work in will change a poo nappy for a £1.00 fee or ring you - your choice. My ds's nursery don't have changing areas hence the no poo rule.

Just a post to say thanks for all the thoughts Have finally decided to wait til 3 - going with those of you who say "you know your own child best." Also looking into Montessori (have been following the thread!) as sounds perfect for ds.....fear I may have left it too late to get a place for him though Thanks so much again.....it just seemed a pretty mammoth parenting decision to make (with no experience!)

Off on our hols tomorrow, but will catch up with this thread on my return

How can a pre-school or nursery not have changing facilities? I am beginning to realise just how lucky we are with dd1's pre-school.

ETsmum, glad you have made a decision. Have a good holiday!

I have to say ionesmum, this playgroup ds3 is going to is the fourth or fifth I have had dealings with in my time, and I have never known one allow children to attend who are still in nappies.

The staff at dd1's pre-school wear disposable gloves to change nappies and empty potties but they are more than happy to do it. Maybe it's because it's a small village pre-school, they are more accommodating.

Pre-schools/playgroups are no longer allowed to refuse entry on the grounds that a child isn't potty-trained. It is seen as discrimination against children with SN. My ds1 was still in nappies at 4yrs old. If staff had refused to let him go to pre-school until he was dry then he would never have had the chance to attend. The pre-school policy was that if he needed changing then they would call me.

What if a trained child poos in their underwear? The clean-up is much the same, if not even bigger. If a pre-school has facilities for that then surely it can cope with nappies? Dd1 wasn't out of nappies until she was over three.

Coppertop, I am glad that that policy is in place so that SN kids can go to playgroup, but I can see why the staff would like non SN children to be at least partially able to attend to their toilet needs.

Message withdrawn

At playgroup mums/dads can stay with the child if that suits better.

My ds1 started playgroup at 2 1/2 and loved it, at first anyway.

He enjoyed the interacting with kids (he was always around adults only) and the structure it heldi.e washing hands b4 snack etc(not just mummies do this)

After a while though he did tire of it as it wasnt as mentally challenging, it did help though for him going to nursery at 3 which he absolutley loves and is doing superb if i may add