Preschool for 2 year old , 2/3 sessions?

[nikosmum2010]

Hi NM, need some advice, Am planning for my son to start school in September, he will be 2yrs 2months when he starts I will hopefully have a newborn at same time. How many morning sessions (9-12) do you think I should enrol him for, can't decide between 2 or 3. Would welcome some views from those who are/were in that position. Thanks

I put my dd in for two sessions when she was 2.6 and her sister was 8mo. That worked well for us.

I think that's too young for pre-school, and also a very sensitive time with a 2 year old when you have a newborn.

we waited until the free sessions started at age 3

My 2.2 year old started with 3 sessions at those times, and we gradually increased until he was staying for lunch, so finishing at 1.30. He is very happy! I think all the two year olds at his preschool do 3 sessions, with the exception of one girl who does 4 and one boy who goes 5 days.

My 2.5 yr old goes two mornings a week and will go three once I start maternity leave after Easter.
It's two hour sessions and he loves it, his words have really come on since he started in January.

Also just watch when you start him that he doesn't feel pushed out by the baby. I am due in July and started ds in playschool in jan so he would be in a good routine and have something of his own to do. Try to start before the baby comes so he will be used to it.
Good luck too

Thanks for all the contributions. I think I will start with the 2 sessions and see how that goes, if my ds doesn't like it then I'll pull him out.

I started mine in similar circumstances when he was 2.5. I made sure that he started before the baby came and initially he did 2 sessions. In hindsight, I think the two sessions were not enough for him to ever really settle so I would probably go for 3 sessions.

I have worked in pre schools for 8 years and it pretty much depends on the child and you too. 2 sessions initially,can you increase it to 3 after Christmas if you want?

Have you ever left him anywhere or with anyone before?

Is he quite confident/secure?

What's your pre schools settling in policy? (if children get upset initially we let parents stay for a few sessions and gradually leave them)

What are the staff /setting like ,ie will it suit your child (some pre schools are v noisy and can scare quiet children,ours is small and personal and children can get great one to one and cuddles if upset)

If your child loves the outdoors then how much outdoor stuff do they do?

Is there someone who could look after the baby for the first few days ds goes to pre school so you give him your full attention when taking him and more importantly that he doesn't twig that baby will be back home with mummy while he is left at pre school!

Sorry for ramble

I started both of mine at pre-school at exactly 2 years. Both just for 2 sessions, DS1 went a month or so before DS2 was due, he was settled in by the time DS2 arrived and loved it. I just increased by 1 session per half term or term until they were funded.

I started DS1 that early as he was very forward academically and mature. DS2 wasn't really but came on leaps and bounds after starting and being a 2nd child was used to being around other children socially so he needed it for a different reason.

What you need to be careful of is how the pre-school differentiates for the 2-3 year olds, I have run a pre-school for 4 years now and I know it is very different than how you work with the 3-4 year olds hence why many pre-schools don't take children till at least 2 years 9 months. I know other pre-schools (judged as outstanding) who take 2 year olds if they have to (ie siblings) but they do not really work with them as they should.

We do take children at my pre-school from just 2 years but insist on 2 sessions minimum as less that that is just not enough for them to settle. Some 2 year olds may appear to just not be ready but if it is a good pre-school they should be able to manage this and will put something in place to ensure the child settles as quickly as possible.