Pre-school for a year?

[p2b]

Hi

My son will be two in July. I am currently on a career break so am a SAHM. I have up until September 2011 until I have to return to work.

I am enjoying spending time with my son but, I, along with my husband and grandparents feel it might be good for him to attend a nursery or pre-school in order to socialise with other children and to get used to me not being there all the time. He is generally happy and sociable and we already attend various activies such as swimming, gym-mini's and toddler groups.

I have learnt that the local pre-school (literally 5 minutes walk away) will take children from aged 2 and there is a place available for him to attend from September for 2 mornings a week. The fees are very reason (7 pounds a session) so we could afford this without me having to go back to work.

My question is Do you think it is right to send him when I know that in a year from then I will have to find alternative childcare for when I return to work? Is it unfair to settle him into one setting which would not offer suitable childcare for when I return to work. I also feel guilty because he does not really have to attend and although I would really appreciate the 6 hours a week 'off' that this arrangement would give me, am I being rather selfish?

I have tried to find a pre-school or suchlike that could take him from September for a couple of sessions but where I can up his hours for when I return to work the following year. I have found one (but it doesn't open until 8 am, so not ideal for returning to work) but it is nearly twice as expensive per session so affording that whilst I'm not working would be a real struggle. I guess I would probably have to look at a nusery setting when I return to work in order to provide the neccessary cover of hours.

Has anyone moved their child from one childcare setting to another when thay have been aged between 2 and 3? How did they get on? I have never left my son before so I have no idea how he will settle initially. I just don't want to cause him unneccessary stress or upset by moving him which is ultimately what I will need to do.

I would really appreciate your thoughts and experiences. Many thanks

Hi there

First let me say that I really don't think you are being selfish by thinking about putting your son in pre-school for two mornings a week! I'd say go for it.

He will probably enjoy meeting other children/ making new friends and there will be lots for him to do. I know several women who have put their children in child care for a couple of mornings a week even though they are SAHMs as it just gives them a bit of a break / provides them with a chance to get to the dentist / bank / whatever can't easily be done with a wee one in tow.

I don't think moving him need necessarily be a problem either. My DD moved nursery at 19 months and it was fine. She did take a couple of weeks to settle into the new setting but it's done her absolutely no harm in the long run. And again I know lots of children who have changed childcare throughout their pre-school time. One little boy I can think of had a childminder, three different nannies and two different nurseries between the age of 6 months and five years and he's pretty much unscathed.

I'd definitely go for the two mornings - and give yourself a break!

Hello think there is absolutly no reason why you shouldn't make the most of the pre school sessions - sounds like a bargin. Gives you a little break and good learning opportunity for little one and chance to make friends, build confidence etc.

My dd started nursery 2 days a wk when she was 2 and it had many benefits including improving speech, confidence and learning to manage without mum for a little bit!

Haven't ever moved dd but if you did it in a staggered way, slowly dropping sessions at pre school and starting a morning or 2 at nursery can't imagine it would cause too much stress.

It sounds fine to me!
I did similar with DS1 - he started at a local pre-school at 2 then swapped to the school linked pre school at 3
I have just signed DS2 up for pre school sessions at 2 as well and I am SAHM so dont actually NEED the childcare!

I'm sure it will be absolutely fine. Kids that age are pretty adaptable and of course it's not selfish to send him to pre-school, I'm a SAHM to a 3yo and do the same, as do all my friends!

When you go back to work you may be able to find a childminder who can take him to preschool and pick him up afterwards

Many thanks for all the words of encouragement and for sharing your experiences. I'm pleased to hear that I'm not thinking of sending him to pre-school too young and hopefully he will adapt to a change in setting when the time comes for me to return to work.