is starting Pre- Pre-school at Easter a good idea as my second baby is due then?

[Angelsprout]

I was all set to send my daughter to Pre-school this Easter (she will be 2 1/2 by then). However I am pregnant with my second baby & he is due in April. Although it would be nice for me to have some time alone with the new baby, I don't know if it would be too much for my daughter. She can be a bit shy & it takes her a while to warm up at playgroup etc, having said that once she has got over the first 10 minutes she loves being around other kiddies, help!!!

If you can get her in I would send her. Am also expecting at easter an ds is elligible to go in march but hasn't got a place til september. If a space comes up I will send him sooner though

My eldest started pre-school when her little sister was only a couple of weeks old. I was worried that she might feel pushed out and/or that all the new experiences would be too much.

In fact, she settled in fine and it was good for her to have her "own" place to go and get away from all the breastfeeding/crying/nappy changing that was going on at home. Babies are kind of boring for older siblings, once the novelty has worn off LOL!

She'll be quite a bit more mature at two and a half and might well be ready to spread her wings a little.

I would recommend starting her before the baby arrives, then she has time to settle in and doesn't feel that she has been "pushed out" because of the baby.
My daughter had just turned 3 when she started preschool last Easter and my second baby was born a month later. This worked really well because I could stay for a few sessions to help her settle before the baby arrived. It took her about 2 weeks to be fully confident, and now at 3 1/2 she says, "Mummy, don't stay at preschool today"!.
At 2 1/2 she is quite a bit younger, so it might take her a bit longer to feel confident at the preschool so I think it's best to start as early as possible if they have a space. After all the baby could come early!
All the best