Dumbass question from rookie mum of 3.9yo

[openerofjars]

Okay, and please feel free to laugh, here goes.

What is a pre-school and does DS need to go to one of these instead of the fabulous and gorgeous SureStart nursery he is currently at?

DS is 4 in November and, because we are going to be moving house very soon (touch wood, fingers crossed etc) and because this summer we gave him the lovely gift of a new baby sister, whom he loves to bits but who has also caused a fair old bit of upheaval in his world, moving him to from the nursery where he has been since he was 8mo seems really harsh, iyswim, like the final straw. We are already dealing with an increase in anxiety and grumpiness and it doesn't seem fair on him (or us).

He is currently in nursery for three short days a week and he loves it: it's his little kingdom, he knows everyone there, he has his routines and he is a big fish in a tiny, caring pond. I'd rather he have the upheaval of making new friends after he's had a year to recover from this summer's upsets.

But people keep asking us when he's starting school, or starting preschool and i feel stupid saying, "Er, what? I dunno, i was just going to send him down the pit." Am I being really thick and he actually needs a preschool place or can he just stay in nursery for the time being?

There are basically three types of before-school-age provision.

Pre-schools - often run by charities or parent's groups, usually sessional doing school hours term time only and take children from 2.5/3ish to school age

Day nurseries - usually privately run though there are some state/Surestart day nurseries, offering full time care for under 5s

School nursery classes - usually offering 15 hours a week, term time only education with a qualified teacher from the term after a child is 3.

It doesn't matter which you choose, they all follow the EYFS. A SureStart nursery will probably have a higher level of staff and facilities than a pre-school anyway.

Stick with the nursery, there is no need to move him whatsoever!

If your child is in a place where he is thriving, confident, and happy and the staff are caring and attentive, then he is not missing out on a single thing! In fact he is exactly where he needs to be. They will be following the EYFS and the familiar routine is a great thing to have considering the changes in other areas of his life (new sister and an imminent house move)

By the way- don't put your self down by calling this a dumb question from a rookie, the fact that you are actively seeking answers to this question, indicates that you are more switched on than most!

Phew! Right, he's staying put: thank you! There isn't any point moving him to a preschool near the local primary when we move, either, as he might not get into that school and then we'll have bothered him for nothing.

Also, now I have verbal ammo when asked when he's going to preschool! Thanks again.

Staying put sounds like an excellent idea for the time being.

BUT If he's 4 in November, and if you are in England, you need to be aware that you might need to be making applications for a primary school place very soon. Maybe this autumn, or maybe soon in the new year.

You might already know that ... but lots of people leave it too late, so just checking!

I got that covered: the first thing I will do when the dust has settled after moving is apply for the local schools and then start stalking their asses and lying on the pavement outside, begging for a place . We are in a city so I am worried that he will end up in a school in the area we are leaving or similar anyway. Oh well. Time to start bribing officials with cake.