Is 3.5 too little to start school five afternoons a week? Has anyone deferred a place they've been offered?

[hunkermunker]

I'm thinking yes, too little.

What happens if you defer?

Depends on your little one, what they are used to and how you think they'd cope. Also how well it fits into your current routine and the things you want to do, both together and alone.

If you are not sure chances are he might be best waiting a little while longer - can you defer until january intake?

DD didn't do preschool she was at day nursery, but did 2.5 days which she did cope with and enjoy.

I'm thinking no, let him go or your PFB syndrome will get the better of you

nothing happens if you defer

It's only usually 2.5 hours and it is usually fab. Lots of fun and they really make friends. I don't think 3.5 is too young for 2.5 hours a day.

Hunker my dd was exactly the same age (they share the same Birthday) as your ds when she started pre school five afternoons a week last September and it has been great for all of us.

After a rocky start to preschool, he loves it now - he does two mornings a week. I was planning to up that to three mornings in September, because I assumed he'd start school nursery in January.

He still often has a sleep in the afternoon - I can't see him dropping it completely by September, not for all five afternoons.

I think I can defer till January, but there was no mention on the forms - I've sent them back saying I want the place, but so have people who start in January - to reserve their place.

DS (PFB) went at 3 and 2 months and after settling in (he was fine first week and did the tears / clingy thing after about 10 days) he loved it and I loved it too

DD won't get a place till she's 3.4 months and she's been ready for 6 months

and you'll make new friends too

It's not PFB at all, Twig - honest! I don't mind him going to school - I am excited about it and he'll love it - I just think that 3.5 is, for him, too little to do five afternoons a week.

Plus he's not going into reception till the January intake - so he'll be in school nursery a very long time. And small boys who think they own the place are...unbearable!

oh .. we don't get the option of part time its all 5 sessions or nothing round here

in a way its probably better because it sets up the week / weekend routine

Twig, I have loads of friends

no you don't .. they're all hobbits

Why not give it a try? If he's tired or you fancy a day out or anything you can keep him at home. I found school nursery to be an amazing experience for ds - so impressed with the kind of activities they were given, the fun they had and the friends they made.

Yes, school nursery is five afternoons.

Preschool is up to five sessions, I currently pay for two, but he will get up to five funded in September, so I was going to send him for three as I like to see him on Mondays and he goes to a toddler group on a Tuesday.

Ledodgy, yes, little April children!

Don't listen to her, chaps - she's a marmitey snack, fgs

He doesn't need to go at all , you could leave him at his existing place and increase hours as and when he seems ready then start him in Reception at 4 1/2. dd at 3 1/2 did 3 mornings in playgroup and 4 afternoons at preschool, for one term , in readiness for going to Reception full time at just 4 (August born)

dd started at Nursery school when she was 3.5 and absolutely loved it. She was (and still is) pretty independent though.

ds will be starting in September and will be 3.7. I think he will take a lot longer than dd to settle in tbh.

Is there more than one intake?

There are also logistical issues to it - my nephew's got a place at the same school in January and it's going to mean a lot of jiggery-pokery to get one to preschool and one to school for MIL (she has them both on Thursdays). Plus it'll be nice for them to start together - I think!

Yes, Mercy, there's a Jan intake.

LIZS, this nursery is fab though - I'd love him to go there. Got an outstanding for ethos in Ofsted.

Right where do I start, DS at 3.3 started going 5 afternoons per week. He still napped around 2pm and the sessions started at 12.45. Every day we were told that his behaviour was not good. Not really bad, but things like not sharing toys etc . We continued with it until he fainted a couple of months back. Put it down to pure exhaustion and until he sees the paed on 7th June I am not doing the whole week. I was doing three days but again, it's his nap time. There are no morning spaces.

Anyway to cut a long story short, he is 4 in Sept, so has another whole year of nursery. I recieved a letter from the Catholic School Nursery the other day (did a thread on it a while back) and he has been accepted there from Sept. So I am of the notion that he will not attend now until September. If that doesn't work (it's mornings so should) he will not go to school until he legally has too. Dunno if it helps Hunk but it sure helped me typing it out.

Oh, poor DS, UCM

I think that DS1 will be similarly affected by five afternoons a week.

Are you concerned about him getting used to dropping his nap?

3.5 is old enough to cope with that imo. You can just put him to bed earlier!

I know you don't think it at all but do you have any idea how lucky you are having children that still nap in the afternoon at 3 or 4 .. I'm totally amazed

Is your DS going to be at nursery until Sept and then another year Hunk.

He doesn't always have the nap.

But on the days he does, he needs it.

I'll sound like Xenia if I tell you why

Any chance of doing mornings instead? I think they cope better, and can still nap.

My DS was 3.5 when he started mornings 5 days a week, and was fine. But I think he would have found afternoons a struggle.

I think even if you started he'd get used to it.