Pre-school versus School Nursery?

[MaryPoppinsBag]

I would like to leave DS2 in his small church run Pre-school rather than move him to FS1 at the school he is due to go to in 2013.

Staff ratios are much better at Pre-school, he is settled, he needs some TLC with regards to his emotional behaviour. All in all I think it is best for him.

However, I just can't get it out of my head that maybe he is missing something by not going to the school nursery.

Did anyone else do this?

I am 99.9% sure he will not being missing anything at all in a pre-school rather than a school nursery. Without knowing anything about the 2 settings obviously I can't say 100%.

They should be following the same curriculum (EYFS) and pre-schools have the ability to stretch children in whatever way they can if necessary. If there is a qualified teacher at the school nursery then the adult to child ration will be bigger (1:15 rather than 1:8 I believe). My DS2 attends both at the moment and I much prefer the pre-school for many reasons including those you have mentioned.

If he is happy I really can't see any reason to move him!

Thanks, I know it is the right thing for him.
The pre-school is led by an early years teacher and the staff are all level 3 qualified and are very very good. It is more flexible than the school and I have chosen to have 3 6 hour days so we are free 2 days a week (I am a CM) to do lots of other things if I get some other pre school children in.

We did 3 full days too as I hated just doing the half day thing - no real time to do anything after lunch and I'd get home after dropping him off and felt like I was having a cuppa then picking him straight up!

It sounds like you both like it at the pre-school so definitely leave him there!

I was in your exact position and after touring the school nursery I picked up on the dramatic differences being: school nursery has a uniform, they were sniffy at the mention of holidays, a lot more geared towards "schooling" whereas preschool are encouraging of holidays (to quote the manager "a week at the seaside is more educational and enjoyable to a four year old than being in the same old classroom" and her other favourite "they are in compulsory education for 13 years - why add onto that?")

Thanks

Hi there, Just picked up on this thread and I am currently tossing and turning with moving my son into nursery from preschool. We have been offered a place at a local nursery of the school we would really like him to go to (very desirable, outstanding school) but apparently it doesn't guarantee him a place at the school so it could mean another change next year. However it would prepare him/make it smoother transition if he did get in and I think he has strong chance as we live near by. Another reason we are considering the move is because most of his preschool (dearest) friends are moving into reception this year and we are concerned that he'll be bored being one of the oldest in his peer group, plus, a good friend of his outside preschool is going to the nursery. Even his nursery are confident that he will flourish in a new environment as he is a confident and mature little boy who loves being around older kids.

On the other hand...it's an afternoon place which means I will have to find childcare a couple of mornings a week (his old childminder will have him back with his friend (mentioned above) but not sure if this is going to feel like going backwards for him) and sticking to the school holidays is a bit of a bind before we really need to, (we are planning an out of school holiday family trip to Africa this year before reception starts :-)). I'm not sure how relaxed a nursery school would be about us taking him out now and again? Right now he's at preschool three days per week so we can have nice long weekends away and get a full days outing to museums during the week etc, going on holiday doesn't seem to be a problem for preschool either.

Finally, I called up today and apparently the group size at nursery is 39 and they only have three members of staff - a teacher, a nursery nurse and a teaching assistant. Is this legal? The ratio at his preschool is 1 teacher to 8 kids, in this respect I can't help but think DS will gain more from being at preschool. DS loves talking to adults and is a very bright boy, although he enjoys being around older kids I'm worried he will get lost amongst so many children at nursery and so few adults. However I don't want him to feel fed up being surrounded by 2/3 year olds when he will be 4 for most of the year.

If anyone can shed any light or has dealt with any of these issues and can offer some advice please comment!

Thanks for reading! :-)

Hi Pharleigh, I think the ratios are correct as a qualified teachers ratio is 1:15 and if the nursery nurse and TA have Early Years Professional Status they have ratios of 1:12 (If I remember correctly)

It's such a dilemma isn't it?

My DS is march born so smack bang in the middle age wise. But leaving him with 2 nearly 3 year olds as his peers move up is a worry.
My son is still not great at expressing himself when upset - he seems to just cry. I didn't know whether another year with a lot of TLC will make a difference. Or whether he will miss out on making friends in nursery and then struggle in reception.

I thought I had made up my mind, however, he is going through another unsettled period at pre school (could coincide with me starting childminding).

I left DS1 at pre school for an extra term, and moved him to school in the January term as I felt that he had out grown the other children. I have never regretted the decision as he matured so much in that term.

This time however the school nursery has a waiting list and I may not get the place in January if I defer entry.

Hi Marypoppinsbag,

Thanks for sharing! It is comforting to know you're not alone on these issues!

I think I would feel differently if DS was born later in the year as mine is Sept birthday. Does your DS have good friends at pre-school that he enjoys/learns from or have any friends going to the nursery? Have you spoken to his pre-school teachers to see what they think? Starting in January seems like the option your most happy with for your little one, do they hold places for Jan intake or do they come up if someone drops out?

I think, although I am still pretty nervous about it!, that we will send our DS to the school nursery. All his preschool teachers seem to think it will be good for him. I will need to find some additional childcare/nannie for one or two mornings a week but we think he will like the variety of home based care and nursery rather than just being in same place all day with a lot of younger kids.

:-)

I decided to start him at school nursery as there are a few children from his current pre-school starting too. I bought his uniform yesterday!

I am sure that he will be fine and that if he starts with the other children they will all be in the same boat. Rather than starting him when the other children are established.

Glad that you have made a decision too!

Hope he enjoys it :-) I'm sure he will if his friends are moving too.

My son been dropping hints that make me feel certain he's ready...went to summer fair of school nursery today and is already calling his big school!

:-)