Please tell me if ds should go to nursery.

[love2sleep]

DS1 has just turned 3. He goes to a fabulous CM 3 days a week while I am at work where he has contact with older children (4, 7, 8, 11) and does loads of fabulous activities.

We had assumed that he would go to a local nursery for a year from September before going to school next September, but now I am wondering if he will really benefit from it. I'm going to see the nursery on Monday so would really appreciate some thoughts on what I need to be thinking about. I know that DH is keen for him to go but I think that we send our kids to school far too young and the assumption that they go to nursery/preschool is just extending that. What will he miss out on if he doesn't go? I have no worries with the "learning" side of things (he is very bright) but are there important social things that he needs to learn before school, or will he just catch up when he gets there?

Thanks

I don't think nursery is essential but it does ease children into the kind of routine they will encounter once they start reception, as well as teaching them to function in larger groups than they would encounter with a CM. I also found DS thrived on the social side of it, mixing with so many other children of the same age.

I'd recommend going along to see the nursery and just seeing what you think, as it does depend a lot on the individual nursery. They will definately experience a lot more than a CM could provide if it's a good nursery though.

DS1 has been in the nursery class at our local primary this year.
it has got him used to things, he knows how to get changed for PE, they take it in turns to take the register back to the office.
It has also been an education for me about how the school works..
with him being there half days I feel like I have had a gentle introduction into what it is like at drop off and pick up etc..
It doesn't sound like much but - today they have been on an all day school trip.. he has really enjoyed it.

Thanks for these posts.
Our primary doesn't have its own nursery but this one does have some link with the school. I'm sure that ds1 would enjoy nursery, but he also enjoys being at the CM so I can't really get my head around what the real benefits will be. He goes to the primary with the CM on the school run every day so is really familar with the place and will know quite a few other children (children of my friends). DH thinks that nursery is important but I just can't see it right now.