Stay with childminder or pre-school?

[mama1987]

My daughter turns 3 in December, and from January she will be able to start at the nursery attached to the school she will eventually attend. The dilemma I’m having is that she has been with a wonderful childminder since she was 1, and she adores her - so I’m wondering whether to even move her at all. Or at least wait until she’s closer to starting school before moving her to the nursery, perhaps the 12 months before? Will she be missing out if I don’t move her before then? Another consideration is that the childminder wouldn’t be able to pick up and drop off from nursery, so we would have to utilise the wraparound care at nursery meaning a long day for my daughter as she would be there 8-5. This would only be for one day a week though (that’s the only space they will have for her), will she find it hard to cope with the long hours? Will she also find it hard to settle into nursery when she would only be attending one day a week?

I'd plan for her to start next September so she can have a year there before school, and also do more than one day a week. One day a week is really challenging for most children, they struggle to settle and bond with the staff. Get on their list now for next year and keep her with the childminder until then.

Do both! You can mix settings with your funding. My son does 3 days school (2 half days, 1 full), 2 childminder and it's working out perfectly.