did anyone not send their child to pre school?

[roseability]

My ds is 4 and 5 months. We live in Scotland so he does not start school until next year. I also have a 15 month old at home

I posted a while ago complaining about my ds session times at pre school. He starts at 12.15 which was making it difficult to get in lunch. We have all adapted a few weeks in as I give him lunch at 12 and he just starts a bit later about 12.30.

Someone had suggested not sending him on the original thread. At one point I was tempted! I actually enjoyed the summer hols when we did what we liked in the morning and then ds and I chilled while dd napped.

He is enjoying it and I know in the bad weather he may appreciate getting out with kids his own age. We have quite a small house and although he gets on well with his sister she is a different stage.

I am just interested if anyone did not send their kids to pre school? How did they adapt to school?

My son didn't go to preschool as it was too expensive where we lived in London. He was fine and quite happily started in Reception. Lots of parents say it makes a big difference if they know other children, but of my 4 DC's only one has known other children before starting Reception and we could see no difference.

Can you delay his start for a couple of months, as you say it may be a help in winter.

Sdr - they get 15 hours worth of free sessions now
so my dd goes three hours a day for free
it really helps them recognize children in their class when they start school although I agree it's not essential
I don't send dd in every day if I want a day doing something else I let them know tge say before

I do think that (in normal circumstances) a child of 4 and half would benefit from good quality nursery etc. It is important and I would say at that stage, he would love the stimulation.

i have a slightly different slant on this as my dd did go to nursery, however she has ended up without any of the kids who were in her nursery being in her class.

my dd went to the nursery attached to the primary school she now attends. in her nursery class she was the only child who went to the school. (there were 3 classes for each session)

whilst she was very upset on the first morning as none of her friends from nursery were there, she has settled down rather well and has started to make new friends. i was actually really worried about her as she is very shy and quiet, and it takes her a bit of time to really let people get to know her.
whilst i dont think it is necessary for children to 'know' people who will be in their class at school (they quickly make new ones as we have discovered!), i think it does them good to play with their peers and make friends regardless of which school they may end up in.