Opinions please - preschool at 3 vs current childminder

[JimJammum]

My ds is 2.5 and with a childminder 2 days per week in a mini-nursery of 10 kids age 1-4, with 4-5 carers. She is v well established and has an outstanding Ofstead for the last 3 checks at least. DS is v happy there.
I was thinking about moving him to a pre-school when he turns 3 to acclimatise him better to school-type environment. It would only be for the same amount of time (ie 2 days), but as we would like him to go to private school, it would cost us more and this is a factor....we would be v stretched but prepared to do it if for best.

Can anyone advise whether this is advisable? Would it be better to leave him where he is as she will be doing similar activities with him as school would, and he is still too small for school-type routine? Or would it be better to start at pre-school to get him settled there?

I would save the money and keep him where he is happy,especially if you are happy with the current position. They are so little at 3 i dont think they need to get used to the school environment, they have plenty of time to do that. My eldest is currently 4.5 and I have left him in a day care nursery as he loves it and it suits me. he is just 3 days a week and dont see the point in uping him to 5 (although the preschools/ nurseries recommend it to get him used to 5 days) what is the point when there will then be whole summer holidays with no days!
Only reason I would move them to a preschool is if it helped (as in was part of) get them into the private school you want.

My dd is with a CM 3 days/week and she is doing 2 extra mornings and one of her CM mornings at preschool nut only the last one and half terms. It's not for the school environment but to meet some of the children. Dd is very shy and I think it will make it easier for her if she knows some of the children. I didn't want to take her away from CM though as she is very settled and CM will continue with after school care.

Personally, I don't think your dc will need the change in rountines/environment especially as CM is like a mini nursery. I would only consider it if you think it would be useful for him to meet children going to the same school - but then some kids need that more than others.