When to start pre-school?

[travellinglight]

My dd is nearly 2 and a half. Me and her dad look after her 3 days a week and she has a nanny share for the other 2 - which works well. Is it a good idea for her to start pre-school for part-days before she turns 3? I know we won't get any funding until then but wonder if it would be better for her developmentally to start sooner in a more structured environment. And if so, how much time a week is useful? Instead of the nanny or in addition to?

All three of mine went to playgroup at 2.5 and were all going 5 days by three. They loved it and i felt it was good for them. Not all children are the same though, do you think your DD would benefit from spending time in a group of children?

As for the instead of or aswell as the nanny, that would be completely up to you.

I sent my son to pre school not long after his second birthday. I'd never had to use a nursery for childcare as my parents and in laws help out when I'm at work but I did feel he needed to go for his own development. He was quite a grown up 2 year old otherwise I'd have probably waited a little longer. Initially did one morning a week - 2.5hr session but then booked him in for another to help him settle better - a week between visits seemed too long. Definetly made the right choice, he loved it, and will probably do the same again with my daughter.

round here preschools won't take them before 3rd birthday, except for some settle in sessions that parent has to stay for as well.
So all our local kids start at or after 3rd brithday.

I have no idea whatsoever where to start? What age? How much? How often? My daughter is nearly 2.5 yrs old and only goes to a playgroup for an hour and a half every thursday morning! I already know this is not enough! Where do I go from here?

HELP!

Can she increase her hours/mornings there otherwise you need to get around the local preschools asap since they may already have waiting lists for September. Most should be listed here

I was just about to post asking what people think about this as my DD can't go till her funding comes through if she goes in our area so I've been today to look at one just outside of the area which she can start at two and a half(which she almost is). Then looking at the other children I was worried she's not ready. She has speech and language delay so I asked about that and said she may not follow instructions, they were really good and said they play it by ear and don't force them to do anything as such, give support to those who find it difficult and would be aware that she may run into difficulty with other children if she can't talk to them.

I think it probably depends on the pre school tbh, a good one will allow for two and a half year olds being younger iyswim and therefore be ok. The ones I have spoken to want two sessions minimum which they said is helpful for children to get used to it otherwise its a long gap, again I think this would depend on the setting and the child though.