Nursery or Pre-School?

[Paula100]

Sorry if this has been done before. I'm new and this is my first post.

My DS will be 3 in October and I've been looking for a suitable nursery or pre-school for him to attend. I'm a SAHM, so not looking for daycare. I really just want something for a few hours a day. Many of the places I've seen have been private nurseries that take children from 0-5 and run from 8am-6pm. They have said that they would take DS for half days, but I would still have to pay the full day rate.

What I really want is a pre-school that does half-day sessions, but most of the local pre-schools have a September intake and as DS won't be quite 3 in September 2012 (he'll be 2yrs, 11 mths), they won't take him until Sept 2013. Some of the pre-schools have said that most children are only with them for a year before going into a reception class and that it would be unusual to have a child there for 2 years. However I don't want to keep him at home with me for another year, when he will be almost 4, as I worry I'll be holding him back (even though we go out to lots of groups and see lots of other children).
Some of the pre-schools do have an intake in January, but they have told me that this is subject to spaces being available and in practice, there usually aren't any spaces after the September intake, so I am probably looking at September 2013 for most of them.

My two concerns are:

1. If I put DS into a private nursery this year and he is happy and settled there, I am going to be reluctant to move him to a pre-school next year. The school that I would like him to go to has a pre-school, but they won't take him until 2013, so I would almost definitely want to move him.

1. It's going to be very expensive to keep DS in a private nursery for 2 years (even with the 15 hours funding), especially when I'm not working and don't really need the full day that they provide.

Does anyone have experience of their child going to a pre-school before they were 3 and staying there for 2 years? Or of having their child at home until almost 4?

Grateful for any advice or the benefit of your experiences.

both mine went to nursery in the term after they were 3 which was january for both of them as they have october and november birthdays. DD (8) went to a nursery centre (not attached to a school) and just did her 12.5 hours (we still get 12.5hrs in Scotland). Ds(5) went to a nursery attached to a school and again just did his free hours.

Don't worry about "holding him back". what are you holding him back from? he will still be growing, still be learning. parents are the child's first educators - give yourself some credit!! it is much better to send him to the pre school associated with the school to which he will be going (trust me, i am a professional). both my children stayed at home until they were 4. we had loads of fun, and did things they could never do in school! enjoy your children while you can - it goes by in a flash!! and ... you can never know exactly what they are being taught. not being negative - just want you to know that unless you spend time with your children , how do you expect them to reflect your values? always supposing you do want this. give yourself some credit, and give your kids a break - they will be in school for a very long time. how do i know all this? 2 children now grown up. many years teaching experience across the pre school and primary sectors. now a lecturer specialising in early years education. now you know.

Both my children went to pre-school from 2 and got on really well.

Personally I would always go for a pre-school as it is a great preparation for school, the children usually start at the same time, go home at the same time and have roughly the same routine each day. I am not saying nurseries don't do this but it is much harder to keep to a routine with children coming and going at all different times.

I feel the opposite to Mrsmonkfish, I have run a pre-school for 4 years and as long as the pre-school sticks to the Early Years guidelines then it is all learning through play and also gaining valuable social skills. I am glad in particular DS1 went to pre-school so young as he was so interested in all things academic at home (his choice not mine) it forced me to allow him to gain other skills which are equally as important.

I think terminology can be a bit confusing... Round here (Herts), preschool applies to any age from 2+, usually up to nursery year which is the academic year prior to reception. Nurseries can be attached to a state school, or part of a preschool environment which can be independent from a state school.

My daughter is also 3 in October and there are preschools near me which offer a January intake. I think it's very rare for them to only offer one intake as that means all children born after September that year are ruled out of taking advantage of the 15 hours EY funding until the following September when (in your son's case he will be nearly 4).

My plan is to get my daughter into a preschool starting Jan 2013 (she will be eligible for 15 hrs a week), I will then apply to nursery starting Sept 2013 and if I am lucky this will be at the same school that I'd like her to go to. However, a place in nursery at this school does not guarantee a reception place - we'd have to apply all over again.

I think your situation is different as I'm in a big town and you're in a village. What are your other options outside of private nursery? Are there any other preschools nearby which would offer a Jan intake?