Preschool/forest nursery

[Ilikepinacoladass]

Has anyone had a child attend two different types of preschool? DS is currently at a childminders (which he loves and very settled), and thinking of sending him to a preschool type thing in sept.

There is a lovely forest nursery nearby which I love the idea of, they are outside ALL the time though, which I think might be a bit much for a long day. And it doesn't work pick up/drop off with the childminder (If he was to do mornings only for instance).

He can go to a normal type of preschool locally with wrap around care from his childminder, so that could be a good option. But he would miss out on the forest nursery. I was wondering if would be too much to do 2 mornings preschool/CM, then 2 mornings forest nursery/me or his dad for the afternoon (I work part-time), would he be a bit unsettled and not properly make friends in either setting?

Two settings (preschool/forest, or preschool/childminder, or forest/childminder) would be ok. I think three is pushing it though. A bit confusing.

How old is dc? if he is 3+ I’d say it’s fine. The continuity of care with CM and you as parents should be enough hopefully to help with the confusion of doing two other settings without you there.

Is the preschool attached to the school he is likely to go? And if yes, what happens in school holidays?

Ok yes I was thinking that. Although has been with CM for nearly 2 years so very used to it there.

Me and his dad are also separated, and he also spends time at my parents, so aware that he also has multiple 'home' settings too. Want him to have some stability. Maybe we'll just do some forest type stuff in our spare time.

Another good thing about the preschool is that it's more local and he may meet some friends which will go to big school with him too.

He will be about 3yrs 4mo

The preschool is term time and childminder could do holidays (as she'll be doing wraparound so we still save our place)

Forest nursery is 48 weeks of the year.

There is also a nursery attached to the school might go to which is also in the mix (childminder could do wraparound), but they want them to go 5 days a week and I'm not sure we're ready for that.

They are very popular here with long waiting lists and great feedback. For a child who likes being outdoors, I think they will often thrive at one. Plenty of the local primary schools have a forest school as part of them, so it makes it an easier adjustment when they start.

My vote would be for days CM, 2 days forest nursery, and don't bother with the traditional preschool.

My DS went to a fully outdoor preschool/nursery for the 2 years before Year R. It was fantastic. He was initially doing 2 days at a normal preschool initially alongside a day at the forest preschool, but we pulled him out of the normal preschool and increased his hours at the forest preschool because that's where he was thriving. He did full days - they paced them well and were fab at keeping everyone warm and dry.

School readiness is really about their independence and confidence, and forest school settings are amazing for that.

Thanks everyone! His childminder has said she thinks he may get bored with her for 2 full days after September (he'll be 3yr 4months). So that's that option ruled out.

So it would be:
Preschool mornings / childminder,

school nursery mornings / childminder,

or full forest nursery (8-5pm 2 days and 1 or 2 days of mornings).

I'm really nervous of letting go of the childminder as he's so settled with her :-( and worry a full day 8-5pm in nursery setting (let alone outdoors all day) may be a bit of a leap of him. But do really like the idea of it and am hearing some great things about these settings.. does anyone else think a full day outside might be too much, or am I being silly?

My kids have all done forest nursery (one is still there). The full day outside has never been an issue, though do double check as there is usually some sort of indoor space that they can utilise on days when it isn't safe to be outdoors (very high winds/thunderstorms). I do have other issues with the nursery but nothing related to being outdoors, I think that is absolutely brilliant. And to be honest in the months when it's light enough I go and pick up and they just want to keep playing outside!

My oldest did a split placement school and forest because I thought that would make it easier for her to start school - and it did, I suppose, but I don't think it would've been difficult for her to start without having attended her school nursery.

Mine did a full day outside - well, he started off mornings only, but that was because he hadn't attended a childcare setting of any kind previously so I wanted to ease him in, not because of worries about the full day outdoors. They had access to an indoor room for very bad weather days, but used it literally once during his time there. They also had a massive bell tent in the woodland with a heater, which was super cosy. With plenty of layers and decent waterproofs he was always warm and dry at the end of the day and it was hard to get him away at home time.