Do I move DD(3) to nursery school 1 month before DC2 arrives? (sorry long-ish)

[catastrophewaitress]

Need some Mumsnet wisdom here, sorry if a bit long. DD will be 3 in Jan and going to nursery FT (has been since 9mo when I went back to work) and I am expecting DC2 in Feb.

Her nursery has been going steadily downhill since summer, No major incidents, just too many "niggles" to ignore(lots of dvd watching, lots of books torn, seen babies crying not attended to, higher than usual staff turnover). Coupled with the fact DD one of the oldest there now (over 3's all seem to move on), and many of her friends left around Sep, she has been less than happy there in the last few months (not miserable but no longer thriving which she was before).

Have found a pre-school for her now, she could go from Jan or Apr term - if Jan she'd be by far the youngest there. I go on mat leave end Jan. My Q to you all - do we move her from Jan or April?? DH pushing for Jan, I am leaning Apr.

Pro Jan - all above concerns ref nursery
Against Jan - need to sort out CM to do pickup at 3.30 as I work FT till end Jan, she's still v young (potty issues, v little independence with dressing herself etc which she'll need to do for PE), the upheaval of new baby on top of new school.

WWYD?? Thanks

LeninGrad, if anything Jan at work will be busier than usual as I manage people and need to hand over stuff for the long absence. DH in brand new job so not the best time to ask for flexiwork.

And it's not just Jan,even in Feb we'll need good backup for when I'm in hosp etc - family all overseas and will come prob just for a short while. Preschool has no wraparound care and I don't want to stress about pickup whilst in hosp..

Assuming birth not too horid all should settle in come March, hence my idea of April onwards for preschool, I just hope another 3-4 months in a daycare place she's outgrown won't drive DD nuts.

I'd move her in January. At that age they learn so fast from their peers that she'll very quickly pick up what she is supposed to be doing re potty training, dressing etc.

Thanks Bonsoir, am trying not to be PFB about it, just wonder whether new school and new baby is too much to throw at her in the space of 6 weeks. Have until Tue to tell the pre-school if we're going from Jan, aaargh!

I started my oldest in a new environment four weeks before her sister arrived - in our case it was a new CM after we relocated.

I didn't want her to link being sent to the CM with her sister's arrival. I felt if she was established there before the birth it would be better for her. I had discussed it with the CM and we had decided that, once the baby arrived, if there was any sign of upset, we'd deal with it then and scale back her hours - or whatever felt right at that time.

You know your daughter and how she'll respond to another few months in that environment. If she's bored though, it'll only get worse. The new place may be far more exciting and engaging for her at a time when you won't have as much time to focus on her needs.

Thanks all, spoke to another mum-of-2 at work who also said Jan, now have the weekend to think it through!