My 3 year old has been thriving in his nursery since September, but it has suddenly and very sadly had to close. We also have a 6 year old and I am due to give birth in a few weeks.
My initial response (apart from sadness and a little terror!) was that it would be fine to keep him at home and manage with playgroups, library sessions, swimming lessons, gymnastics etc. He's due to start 'proper' pre-school in Sept and he most of the other kids will not have been to 'pre-pre' due to their ages (3yo is old in his year).
The nursery was expensive and doing two drop offs in different directions wasn't terribly easy. In the week since it closed we've been taking 3yo on the walk to school with 6yo along with the various village kids we pick up on the way and he has loved it. I have loved it!
I wonder if it's a selfish decision not to try to find another nursery though - there is no way I can fully replicate that experience, especially with a new baby. The idea of trying to find somewhere fills me with dread - the first thing most of the other parents did was phone everywhere trying to find a place for their child. On the other hand, the timing is AWFUL. We're three weeks away from a new baby, his five-day-a-week nursery (and friends) have just disappeared and trying to find and settle him into a new one for half a year just seems unfair on him.
What would you do? I am very lucky to have family very close by who are keen to help out, so the only consideration is what's best for 3yo. Any idea?!