Can I keep my preschool child off one day a week?

[PulpKitchen]

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice for anyone who might have been in the same situation.

My son has been offered a full time preschool place (5 days per week) at a school nursery starting from this September.

I would like him to attend 4 days, I think 5 would be way too much for him (he attends private nursery 2 days a week at the moment). He will be turning 4 in December. I asked the preschool for 4 days and they said no, he must attend the full week.

Would I be OK to just keep him off one day every week? Would I need to think of an excuse every week, or could I just say he is struggling to adjust and I’m making the decision etc.?

You are at the very start of your parenting journey op. Of course you can do this! Every other week just say he won’t be in on x day

or find a private school pre school with more flexibility

Presumably if it's a school nursery he could just do the 15 hours.
So five days a week but just the morning or afternoon session (3 hours a day).

Due to the style of my work, I need to do full days when I’m in (I currently do three full days). So the morning/afternoon pattern sadly wouldn’t work.

Remember.... attending a school nursery doesn't guarantee you a Reception place there so why do you want him to attend that nursery?
Could he just not stay where he is?

Why move him?

We kept our son and daughter in private nursery for this reason - preschool would only offer 5 days a week and AM or PM only, which didn't fit with my working patterns and like you I worried that it would be too much for them. We live in a village where the primary school is typically undersubscribed so I wasn't worried about needing to send them to preschool to try and get them a place if that makes sense. (Not sure it would have made a difference anyway!)

You can accept the place and just not bring him in on a Friday, as it’s pre school his attendance doesn’t matter to the school so just let them know. I take my son out pre school for randoms days / holidays when needed. I think quite nice to have the option of putting him in on a Friday if you have some life admin to get done.

do You really want to have to pay for 5 days though? If so then just tell the nursery you will pay for five days, but he will only be attending four. If they don’t accept that, then I’d strongly suggest you find another nursery / preschool.

Agree with pp saying can't he stay where he is? Nether of mine ever did preschool because the hours didn't work for us. It doesn't give you any advantage in the school admissions process (at least not in our area) and personally I don't believe preschool is better for school readiness than a decent private nursery.