Pre preps or big schools

[butternut3]

Hey,
So my 2.5 year old son is attending a montessori school in west hampstead. Only issue here is they don't give meals and I feel he will eat well when he sees other kids eat. That's why I thought of shifting him to HHS or Mulberry. ( also long term plan is to send him to a private school )

He is eligible for reception in 2024.

My confusion is:
Option 1 - if he starts at one of these schools next sep 2023, and goes to this montessori school another one year then he will sit for 7 + assessments after completing at pre preps.

Option 2 - let him continue at montessori and straight away make him sit for 2024 batch assessments at big schools.

Option 3 - let him start at pre prep in 2023 sep amd make him sit for assessments for 2024 sep at big schools. But I feel this will be too much of change of schools and he will be changing two school before 2024.

I really want help. I am targeting schools : Highgate UCS alleyns Ducks.

Hey, @butternut3 depending on your child, he might adapt to change really easily. However, If you are to move him, I would move him to a more structured style nursery or pre-pre this September and move him to the school of choice in reception 24' because the 2nd move to pre prep of the school of your choice would be in 2 years time. So lots of time to settle in a new nursery, graduate with friends and be ready to move to big school.

Alternatively, a lot of private schools start from 3 years old. If your choice of school does that I would keep him in the montessori school a year then move him to the pre-prep school at 3.5 and then move again at year3 (7+). it seems like a lot but Its very common for children to move around at year 3.

This is what we are doing with our daughter, she is also at a montessori atm. Starts pre-prep in September then will sit 7+ in year 3 for Eltham College as thats when they're school is available from and if she passes she will be there for 8 years!

Children are more resilient than we give them credit, all about knowing your child specifically and how they will adjust.

All the best x

@ReynZeysMum
Hey thank you so much.
So my son has been going to this montessori since February and still doesn't complete his three hours sessions. He started with 15 min and with lot of efforts we have reached 2.5 hours. He has separation anxiety being a COVID baby.
So I am thinking of letting him complete one more year here until next July.
After reading you even I am thinking I ll send him to a pre prep next sep 2023 and let him be there till age 7. He can take exams at 7 and will later see whatever will be will be.

@butternut3 Awww bubs!. it'll pass dont worry. I think thats a good choice - Pre-pre to year 3 is a long time to settle and be comfortable and also understand that he is moving to a new school.

All the best. xx

@ReynZeysMum :) thank you . And all the best to you too