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Preschool education

Get advice from other Mumsnetters to find the best nursery for your child on our Preschool forum.

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Original poster

Is this too young??

8 replies

meandjoe · 21/04/2010 09:13

My ds is currently 2.8 (born Aug 2007). I have had him registered to start at local preschool in September this year for a while. It will be the term after he turns 3 which both he and I are prepared for ( i think!). However, I have now had letters from the attached infant school saying he starts at their nursery in Jan 2011, meaning he only has 3 months at preschool and he will be 3.5 and in infant school .

I have asked the school and they have confirmed that is the case, it's not an error. Of course I knew he'd be the youngest in his class being an August baby but I wasn't really wasn't prepared for him to start until maybe Sept 2011 or even Jan 2012 when he'll be 4.

Is it just me or does it seem way too young to be going to an actual school and wearing a uniform etc? Maybe it's just because ds is an only child and is my 'baby' in many ways but 3.5 seems so young to be at school with very little preschool experience. Is there anything I can do or should I just go with it? I don't want to jeopardise his chances of getting into that school because it is a good school and litterally round the corner. Anyone else has a child start this early?

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LIZS · 21/04/2010 09:28

He doesn't have to go and you don't have to accept the place. This should have no implications if you want to apply for a Reception place for Sept 2011, as the admissions procedure is handled separately, and leave him in preschool in the meantime.

Original poster

meandjoe · 21/04/2010 09:32

So he'd just miss out nursery? I might do that if it's possible. Thanks. I am just hoping he is settled wherever he is to be honest. He just seems like such a baby sometimes and still so dependant on me... I really need to encourage his independance a bit more I think! I will look into your suggestion. Thanks again.

OP posts:

LIZS · 21/04/2010 09:39

Preschool and nursery should follow the same curriculum anyway so it is really up to you which environment you think will be most suitable. The main arguemnt in favour of the nursery would be that he would become familiar with the school and staff/pupils earlier but plenty start straight into Reception with no problem.

cocotheo · 21/04/2010 11:28

Hi,

My son was worn in dec 2007 and I have just applied for a nursery place, I think it's good for them to start public school, my son goes nursery and it is 78pounds a day, which is a bit much, not only that i think it is good for them to start school at 3 or 4.

menopausemum · 21/04/2010 20:28

Depends on the school. A child of 3 needs a lot of emotional support which can often be better supplied in a pre-school where staff ratios are better. Also, as LIZS says above, they all follow the same curriculum so as long as the setting is good, academically there shouldn't be any difference. Legally a child doesn't have to attend any education or care until the term after they are five - a real luxury for some children.

Paulinespens · 23/04/2010 00:01

My DD started preschool 6 weeks after her 3rd birthday. She goes 3 hours a day 5 days a week and absolutely loves it.

mrz · 27/04/2010 20:12

actually 3.5 is late for children starting nursery in my area more usual to start immediately after third birthday, Nursery isn't infant school it's another form of pre school providing the same experiences as he will get at the local pre school just with a qualified teacher in charge.

Runoutofideas · 03/05/2010 07:17

My dd2 is the same age as yours and dd1 is in reception.

I do think there's a difference between a separate pre-school and a nursery within a school. The oldest children in a pre-school are 4, whereas there would be children up to 7 in an Infants or 11 in a primary - while they may not have much to do with each other, my dd1 might have found that a bit overwhelming, aged 3.

Also in my experience pre-school is much more nurturing than reception. The children were expected to be little children whereas in reception they need to be much more self-sufficient and independent. It would concern me if that ethos was present in a school nursery. (Of course your school nursery may be cuddly and friendly - but I wouldn't get that impression from somewhere which requires 3 year olds to wear uniform.)

I think you need to consider the school nursery and the preschool adn choose which one fits your child best for that year - then worry about school separately the following year...

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