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Preschool education

Get advice from other Mumsnetters to find the best nursery for your child on our Preschool forum.

Original poster

Do they have to go?

57 replies

charmkin · 11/03/2008 18:41

Why do we do this to our 2 year olds?
Why are we making them sit on the mat and line up?
What is it really achieving?
Why is it a good thing for a 2 year old to be away from their mummy?

Who didn't do the pre-school thing?

OP posts:
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S1ur · 11/03/2008 18:43

Do you mean 3 and 4 year olds?

My dd (3.5) currently doesn't go.

posieflump · 11/03/2008 18:43

I didn't until very recently - kids always went to nursery though because I worked.
I think it's a good thing
It's just like Mother and Toddlers only you don't have to be there!

Original poster
charmkin · 11/03/2008 18:43

no
ds is 2.9
been there 2 days, worst 2 days of my life!

OP posts:
posieflump · 11/03/2008 18:43

yes if your kids are 2 and a half you have to pay

posieflump · 11/03/2008 18:44

preschool isn't 2 days it is 2 and a half hours a day.

TheFallenMadonna · 11/03/2008 18:45

So don't send him. It's not compulsory.

S1ur · 11/03/2008 18:46

Ah so are you asking why do you send your kids to private nursery?

I'm guessing for most people - becasue they work.

Also maybe they feel there are social benefits from interact8ing with diferent children away from paretns.

But its work mostly.

Sorry you feel crap about your ds.

Pre-school is for 3&4 y.o. and free

DontDreamItBeIt · 11/03/2008 18:48

It is your choice. Mine went when they were over three, and I will send ds sometime after he turns three, but I don't want him in nursery at two, I don't work outside the home, so he doesn't have to go.

goingfor3 · 11/03/2008 18:48

DD2 started pre school at 2 1/2 and didn't have any problems setteling in, she has always loved it. She started two terms after her sister left so was used to the staff. She only did two mornings to start with and has gradually moved up to four mornings which she will do until she starts reception. It's right for some children and not for others.

Original poster
charmkin · 11/03/2008 19:02

this is not a working mum thing
this is why are pre schools SCHOOLS
what is wrong with playing
why do they have to do lining up and story time and structured stuff?

My ds is crying because every time he is happily playing, someone is making him do something else.

OP posts:
TheFallenMadonna · 11/03/2008 19:05

Some children like to listen to stories, sing, dance...

If it doesn't suit your ds, don't send him. Or try again when he's a bit older.

S1ur · 11/03/2008 19:05

Okaaay.

Still a bit confused because up here pre-schools means 3, 4 and often attached to local primary. And not compulsory and free for 2.5 hours a day.

I wouldn't want my 2 year old schooled.

Yes they should be playing.

I am reluctant about my 3.5 being schooled in a formal sense. Educating of course, but through play and developing own interests in things.

S1ur · 11/03/2008 19:08

BTW lining up can be a simple way of ensuring safety when moving from area to area. Story time etc can be wonderful and structure into the day a little calmer time after exciting activites.

But why are you sending him? Perhaps it is just this nursery's approach you don't like?

Lulumama · 11/03/2008 19:08

DD is due to start pre school in september, when she is 3. at the moment she attends a playgroup for 2.5 hours a week, which i pay for.. she sings, dances, does painting, play doh, baking etc.. they have a snack and that is pretty much it.. no formality, no school work.

i am happy for her to start pre school when she is 3, i will finally be able to go the supermarket and get round in less than 2 hours!!

Original poster
charmkin · 11/03/2008 19:10

hmm
i know all this
taught reception for 5 years
but 2.9 is too young for lots of these things imo

OP posts:
posieflump · 11/03/2008 19:10

in that environmetn it has to be structured to a certain extent
if you just want him to play then go to mothers and toddlers

posieflump · 11/03/2008 19:11

are you talking about 2 and a half hour sessions a day then?

S1ur · 11/03/2008 19:12

Sorry Charmkin certainly not meaning to patronise.

But you asked.

I agree 2 is too young for school.

Lulumama · 11/03/2008 19:14

am still confused

children do not go to preschool at 2

if they are at a playgroup or nursery etc and you feel it is too formal or you miss your child, then don;t send them

Original poster
charmkin · 11/03/2008 19:15

but is everyone else ok with the clinging onto leg thing,
the sobbing
the awful guilt
the regressing
the fact that you barely recognise the child they are talking about because they are not like that with you

oh
and we get to pay for all this?!

OP posts:
Twiglett · 11/03/2008 19:15

this is bloody odd

why exactly are you paying to send him to nursery?

TheFallenMadonna · 11/03/2008 19:17

Yes, we're all fine with that

If you don't think it's right, don't send him.

pootleflump · 11/03/2008 19:17

You just have to do what you think is right for your ds. My dd has been in pre-school 5 mornings a week since sept and she loves it to the point where she's always disappointed when it's the weekend and she can't go. From what I've seen though, the boys do seem to be a bit more clingy to their mums when we go in in the mornings so maybe you should try him again when he's a little older.

Original poster
charmkin · 11/03/2008 19:17

cos you don't get vouchers till the term they are 3

OP posts:
Twiglett · 11/03/2008 19:18

I never made DD go to nursery before she was accepted for state pre-school and the free 2.5 hour sessions by which stage she was perfectly ready for it .. and they do acheive at that age