Feeling a bit sad that DS is the oldest at his nursery......

[choceyes]

DS is 3.10yrs old now and is officially the oldest at his nursery. All his friends are starting school this year or the ones that are going to be 4 this year are leaving to go to school based preschool. I don't want to send him to the school based preschool because there is no option for part time here, you have to do 9-3, mon-fri, and currently he is in nursery for 3 days a week and I like having those 2 days with him and I feel it is sooo young to be starting proper "school" that early and having to go in everyday.

BUT...I feel for him really as all his friends have gone, and all my mummy friends and their DCs who were mates with my DS are all going to full time preschool as well, so he will wonder where everybody is.

Am I doing the right thing? I know he won't be missing out academically as I will make more of an effort to do writing, reading with him and take him to activity groups (although there is not many suitable for him anymore as most are for under 3's - but the museum based activities are good).

I do have a 2yr old DD too, so he will have some company, but I'm feeling a bit anxious that I may have chosed the wrong option, but I really really don't want him to go to preschool everyday. I am being selfish? Am I thinking of my feelings ahead of his development? He wouldn't like going everyday either, I am pretty sure of it.

The pre-school I work in always looses children the term after they are 4 as the parents send them to the nursery class at 'big' school. I hate it as I feel they are never given the chance to be the 'older' ones with more responsibility.

I think you are doing the right thing as, for one, the timings are right for you and once they get to school they are there for a bloody long time (14+ years) so make the most of the time you have him at home You are not being selfish and his development will be no different to those going all day - they all catch up in the end and think of the life experience he will be getting by being with you and your DD doing fun things whilst the others are at school all day. Even the mundane things are all learning experiences for him i.e shopping, sorting washing etc - he will be learning without thinking he is.

Take him to toddler groups with your DD (even if they are aimed at younger children) will give him the chance to hare around and burn off some energy......

Keep him with you and don't regret a single moment of it x

awww thanks misstrunchball that really means a lot to me. DS's best friend will only be at nurseyr for another week before he starts school nursery too and he and DS are always together at nursery so I feel a bit sad for DS that he won'tbe there anymore. DS is very sociable though, so I hope he makes friends with the new children that have moved up and doesnt' feel left alone.
My DD is august born and will start proper school just after 4yrs, and I feel so sad about that, but I've heard girls are generally more ready to go to school than boys so I hope that works in her favour.