Preschool vs day nursery

[Loulou000]

My dd, 3.5, does two mornings at a nursery. I think we will up this to three mornings from September. Is there any special reason for doing 5 x 2.5 hours at a preschool instead? Is there really any difference between a preschool and a nursery?

I'm a sahm with an 18 month ds too, btw, so any childcare for dd is for her benefit / education, not to get any freedom for me!

Hello!
I'm in a simliar position. My dd is 3 and a bit and has been doing two mornings a week at a playgroup. She really seems to enjoy it, but as there wasn't availability for the full 12.5 hours funded place I started looking at preschool. She's got into one to start in May, but now I am having doubts. I'd recommend arranging to visit the preschools nearest to your home and seeing if you like them. Find out about what sort of routine they create for the chilren, whether they have to wear a uniform, how they encourage the children to be with eachother etc..
I didn't do enough research before applying for my daughter's preschool place, which has led to me feeling wibbly and unsure now! But I've asked dd and she says she wants to go to BIG SCHOOL.

BTW I am a sahm with a 4 month old ds too!

I thought (but am not in UK so might be wrong) that the biggest difference was in the staff qualifications?

I know a woman with a degree in nursery teaching who is at a pre-school, whereas at a day nursery, I don't think any qualifications are necessary?

I'm really confused. People seem to use terms in different ways. Around here preschool seems to mean either nursery class at school ( ours doesn't have one), playgroup run by volunteers ( therefore mostly unqualified surely?), or just any nursery at which a child attends for 2.5 hours a day!

Probably none of it matters really. Just got myself into a panic again that dd should be getting something she isn't getting!

Nice to meet you spix. Why not leave her in the playgroup if she is happy there?

I think preschool is a generic term for anything "pre" official school, but a "real" preschool (ie attached to a school) will have more officially qualified "teachers" rather than assistants/carers etc.

I'd just go with the one you get the best vibes from.

Round here a day nursery will have additional charges as you are doing a half session which is longer than 2.5 hours, so something to bear in mind.

Also a day nursery has a legal max of 8 kids per staff member, and used to potty training etc etc. A nursery attached to a school (in England) is more of a classroom environment, so depends really on what you and your DC need.

Prob depends on child also, my DS was at nursery age 3-4 and is now at preschool for 4-5. He really needed the nursery approach to start with, warm caring mummyish enviroment to help with separation but as got over that preschool environment is more stimulating, more prep for school and not so babyish. Prob not all nurserys/preschools same but if u visit u will get the vibe from each one and can decide whats best for ur DD

Not something I know an awful lot about, but as far as I know both day nurseries and pre-schools have to follow the same Early Years curriculum, so in theory they should be learning the same things up to Reception. I think the focus is supposed to be more on social and personal skills though, rather than academic achievements as such.

With those things being equal, I would go with whichever suits you best in terms of location, atmosphere, class numbers, opening hours, availability of places, familiar friends etc.

Forgot to add that one of the main reasons people choose pre-school is to ease integration into the Primary it is attached to - this is only worth factoring in if you're fairly sure your child will get into that school of course.

I think the terms are used interchangeably - what is the difference between a playgroup and a preschool? I had always thought parents/carers attend a playgroup with their child but in fact there are also playgroups that operate more like a 'preschool'. I suggest looking up the OFSTED reports on the current 'playgroup' she attends and the 'preschool' that you have arranged from next September and see if that helps you make up your mind. I think different nursery owners choose to call their childcare provision a 'nursery' 'preschool' or 'playgroup' but they may all be offering the same thing. Essentially if following the Early Years Foundation programme the emphasis of the child's learning is through play so a 'playgroup' can easily be doing this just the same as a 'preschool'.

Thanks to all, v helpful. Decided to leave her where she is as she is happy and stimulated!