Views on whether best to start f/t nursery at 3 or wait til aged 4 for August baby?

[southpacific]

dd is 2 in August. We could apply for a place at a state nursery nearby but it is f/t from 3 which seems a bit much to me. Will dd be disadvantaged - socially even academically by not being at nursery f/t if she joins the school at 4? I don't think so but it seems unusual nowadays to wait until children are 4 to start their education.

When you say full time, do you mean all day, five days a week or just morning or afternoon, five days a week?

My dd2, was 3 when she started nursery,(also an August baby) and now she has so much confidence. She is about to go into Reception class and will only of just turned 4 years, but I have no worries what so ever. However my dd2 is the youngest of 4 children and was use to being in and out of the school, as she came with me when I took the older ones in.

I don't think there are any specific advantages to a full-time nursery. dd, also August born, went full time to school at just 4, where she knew noone. She had attended a sessional playgroup then preschool a few times a week. Now 7 she is well up with , and beyond, those almost a year older academically. Choose whatever really suits you and her while you can.

Nusery school is great for socialisation and is very much play based. Government funding is for 21/2 hour sessions which they can have 5 of in a week. This is a great start to getting them used to going to school without too much pressure on them and eases them into the transition period from home to full time education.