How often does your child go to pre-school?

[Lilybett]

I am in the process of upping Lotties days at pre-school from two days (Mon/Tues 9am till 3pm) to three days (also Fri 9am till 3pm). She really needs the extra stimulation, she gets so bored at home and is always really excited about going to school so I think it's the right thing for her. I know it is going to make her quite tired :zombie: but at least I can get her into bed early :wink: and it starts to prepare her for proper school next year.

I was very happy with my decision but this morning overheard a conversation between other mums in the preschool playground that made me overthink it a bit :meh: They were basically discussing their childrens hours and agreeing that anymore than 2 or 3 sessions (i.e. 3 hours) was far too much for any 3/4 year old and implied that mums that sent them for whole days were doing it just for the peace and quiet :yeahright:

Now I don't believe for a second that they were right :loco: but I'm now wondering whether 3 whole days a week is a bit much? How often does your child go to preschool and are you happy with that?

[Miffy]

Jacob goes 5 mornings a week. 3 days he does 9.30-12 and 2 days he stays for lunch so 9.30-1.30.
Good for him and bliss for me :wink::wink:

The way I see it, its good prep for when he starts school. He's tired atm, but he'll get used to it. For those only doing a couple of half day sessions a week their children are going to get a heck of a shock when they start school.:nod:

ETA we can't do much more than that. They only open mornings and only have lunch club 3 days a week so he could only go another 1.5 hr more in the week.

[Ruby]

My son has just turned 4 and I think three full days would be too much. He'd be knackered. And obnoxious.

He goes every morning 9-11.30 and he's very tired with that. That is the norm here, as it's what all the school nurseries offer and what the education grant provides.

I'm not sure about 'needing stimulation' to be honest. I wasn't sure about sending my own son for 5 days - I think a home environment is what they need mostly at this age. If he was the youngest in his year, rather than the eldest, then I would have kept him at home for longer.

[*Fallen Angel*]

You know your child best and it sounds like she will benefit greatly and so will you! Jess went to pre-school for 3 days a week 9-3 and she loved it, wasn't tired at all and like Lottie, need the extra stimulation.

[Mrs B]

Sol was in 3 mornings a week, 9am-1pm, as that's when I worked so needed the childcare. Have just upped it by an extra hour a session to take advantage of the govt funding.

If I'm able to go back to work in January then I plan to increase that to 4 mornings a week, to enable me to work extra hours. And hopefully 5 mornings a week during the summer term, to get him ready for starting school in September.

I'm sure that any time away from mummy is too much for some 3 year olds, conversely 5 whole days a week is perfect for others. Swings and roundabouts and all that.

[Elle Driver]

5 sessions a week now, I've just increased her sessions myself.

She used to do three.

Now she does Mon Tues and Friday mornings and Thursday morn and arvo (you pay a pound for lunch club, bring in a packed lunch to bridge the gap between a.m. and p.m. sessions).

[Twistarella]

At the one A will go to, it's 5 mornings a week - compulsory. She'll be 3 years 10 months. It's that or nothing!

[Ruby]

It's the same at ours, Twistarella. You can't pick or choose - it's 5 mornings or nothing.

He could do a lunch club and afternoon session with the playgroup up the road if I wanted though.

[Flicky]

Here you get either 5 mornings or 5 afternoons. You can choose not to send your child for all 5 - they are flexible - but I found dd settled quicker when she started going 5 days and so have sent ds every day so far.

As far as I know there's no such thing as lunch clubs around here - am a bit jealous although not sure I'd use it. I'm not sure about the whole 'they have to get used to it for school' argument - they have to get used it at some point yes, but personally I think the later the better, there's a massive difference between a 3 yo and a 5yo. I would probably use it if I could but it would be for me to work.

[Cherrylips]

Joseph does five afternoons per week, 12 noon till 3pm.

He only started last week, but so far he loves it, and is sleeping really well at night too :thumb:

[katkinn]

You know your child best and it sounds like she will benefit greatly and so will you! Jess went to pre-school for 3 days a week 9-3 and she loved it, wasn't tired at all and like Lottie, need the extra stimulation.

I definitel agree with this.

There's no way I would have sent H to preschool for 3 full days - I loved having her at home and doing stuff with her, which she really enjoyed.

She did 3 mornings at age 3 (which was more than enough for her, even though most did 5 mornings) They wanted you to do 5, but I said I only wanted 3.

At 4, she moved preschools and did two full days at one (so 9.15 to 3pm) and then one morning at her old school, so 5 sessions. She really wouldn't have liked 3 full days.

But M :faint: Oh my giddy aunt, I would send that child 5 full days if we could afford it and my conscience would let me get away with it :oops:

He LOVES preschool, absolutely adores it and this morning was beside himself that H was going to school and he wasn't going to his :-(

He is an utter nightmare to have at home and I have to say, I'm dreading the next couple of months and may end up camping out at the soft play :oops: (see you there??? The Tonbridge one??!!)

He does two full days and has done since his 2nd birthday :oops: He dropped his nap at around 18 months and isn't remotely overtired. He adores everything they do and it's a perfect environment for him.

He'll be doing 3 full days in January (so 6 sessions, as I then only have to pay for one!) and he'll only be 3 and 2 months :oops:

He is just one of life's busy kids, totally unlike my other two. He NEEDS stimulation which, with another toddler at home, I hold my hands up and say, I can't give him every day.

Knowing Lottie, I think you're doing the right thing and I think she'll love it.

Stuff what anyone else thinks sugar. Having a child like M who is different from "normal" kids :wink: I try very hard to remember that people don't and can't understand that their needs are different.

:higgies:

[Moffgal]

ignore the other mums, you know what L needs and will enjoy.

before the summer break conor was doing 9.15-12.15 2 days and then 2 nursery days 8-3 while i worked.

now in the run up to starting school he does another morning at playgroup so he has something every day, and boy does he need it, he thrives on the activity and stimulation.

[Abbie]

Grace did 2 half days for 2 terms, then she did her full 5 sessions from the term following her 3rd birthday.

She's only just 4 now and is in full time school no worries. She's absolutely loving it

If you think she needs and and can cope, then go for it

[Lilybett]

She's only just 4 now and is in full time school no worries. She's absolutely loving it


See this is how I justified it to myself, Lottie is only 2 months off being 4 - if she'd just been born 3 months earlier she'd be going to school full time by now.

I think regardless I'm going to give it a go :thumb: She seems quite excited by the thought of going more often and if she is just too tired or not enjoying it I can always cut it down to just a morning. The headmistress who knows her very well didn't seem to think she would be phased at all. She will still have 2 full days at home with me and B during the week but school can do the activities that I just can't do myself with two of them.

Thanks for everyones input, nice to know I'm not the worst mother in the world for entertaining the idea :wink::lol:

[girlwomble]

Lily's just turned 3 and does 5 mornings a week, 9.15-11.45. After the September weekend I'm going to try her with lunch club 2 days a week so will be in from 9.15 till 1.30. She's no tireder from going to preschool than she was before as she's always on the go anyway

Each child is different. Loads of children of people I know are full time in nursery from 8-6 so it can't be that bad for kids

[Franny]

I would say you know your own child, too. R went five mornings from aged 3 and that was not enough for her by the time she was rising 4. I'd pick her up and she'd say 'what are we doing now?' I had this from early pregnancy to before she started school a couple of weeks ago and found it exhausting with a tiny baby.

If I could have done 2 or 3 full days, I would have. R has hugely benefitted from starting school. I get none of this 'I'm bored' stuff and far less of the mucking about and misbehaving. If you're finding it too full-on at home then you are probably right in that she does need the extra stimulation.

Anyway, what is wrong with a bit of peace and quiet?

[Jolou]

Sam is 4 next month and goes to preschool for 5 sessions a week. All day Monday, then Tuesday afternoon and thurs and friday mornings. I am considering adding another session as he loves it so much and gets bored at home.

[Shoppie]

Teddy does 3 full days at pre-school per week, but its one that is integrated with nursery. He is totally shattered and really quite :zombie: by the end of the week, but I work so he has to have some sort of childcare. I really don't see the point of a childminder at his age (apologies to those who are one) as you then get no benefit from the free pre-school (as the childminder still charges for the hours they are away - which is fair enough when its only a couple of hours and they won't get anyone for the gap, but from a parenting point of view you pay twice!), which leaves us with nursery, and to be fair he was there 5 full days per week at just 6 months old! (though the baby room if far less full-on)

I think if I were at home I'd do five half days, which would use all my vouchers - maybe four now building up to five as he will be doing half days of school come Sept (he is a summer baby so won't be FT at school until Jan 2011)

[ms sweetcheeks]

FRom tomorrow he starts 5 days a week (2.5hrs)..

He is SO excited:ellie:

[Velvet Chain]

KK, M sounds exactly like my DS.

DS went to preschool for 5 mornings a week from 8.55 - 11.30 from the age of 3years 3 months. And he loved it and was never tired (unfortunately) and would have gone there 5 full days if he could have (he had a major crush on his teacher!!)

VC

[ditab]

Max used to do three mornings a week and has just started to do three full days (9 - 3.45) at his montessori nursery. He's not tired at all and really enjoys having lunch there which he didn't when it was half days.

His two friends from baby group are at school already (they're 2 months older than him) so I'm not concerned that he's too young :happyno:

I think that as long as the nursery/pre-school is catering properly for full day children (ie a varied schedule of activities, not just all free play with the same thing morning & afternoon), then it should be fine :nod:

I didn't really want him out 5 mornings a week - I like him being at nursery whilst I'm at work and the two days I'm home, he's with me all day so we get to do stuff :thumb:

Whether I'll regret this decision once the baby comes in January, only time will tell :lol:

[Lilybett]

I think that as long as the nursery/pre-school is catering properly for full day children (ie a varied schedule of activities, not just all free play with the same thing morning & afternoon), then it should be fine :nod:


Her pre-school is brilliant :bow: There is a very varied schedule for both morning and afternoon :nod: and she adores her teachers, they are all so good with them and have more patience than I have :oops: She came home today bouncing after a lovely day and told me how she loved all her teachers and friends :lurve:

[xxtinyangelxx]

It's the same at ours, Twistarella. You can't pick or choose - it's 5 mornings or nothing.

He could do a lunch club and afternoon session with the playgroup up the road if I wanted though.

My son turned 4 in July and here its either 5 morning or 5 afternoons. My DS is in 5 mornings 9am - 11.30am and has settled and adjusted to it very well. Plus he's going to bed at a reasonable time, before he wasn't :no:

However, I had 5 afternoon places for him last year and he never settled at all. I made the decision (against the advice of the nursery staff) to take him out till this year. I was pleased with the decision then and still pleased now. It was the right decision!

So, I think that each child is an individual and as her mother YOU will know what is best suited so go with your heart and try not to let talk of other parents etc influence your decision.

I'm sure you'll make the right choice :thumb:

[Anne]

Well that 3/4 yo at our nursery are full time so do 5 days a week 9-3.25.

[Roo]

Well not preschool but both of mine were in nursery 8.30am-5pm 3 days a week from 6 months old. So sue me, I must be the world's most evil mother and obviously only doing it for my own peace. Oh no, actually I was at work. Silly me :doh: Sorry for being narky, but stupid cows like that just get my goat, they have a total inability to imagine a world anything other than the one THEY live in. Children are different, parents are different, families are different. I know MANY 3/4 year olds that do 5 mornings or afternoons a week at preschool - that's what the funding allows so why not use it? It might not suit THEIR child but so what? I don't live with their child! IF you think Lottie would love the extra time then go for it :nod:

[Rosa]

We get five afternoons 12.30-3pm, no choice.

Full days would be lovely though!!

Red xx

[choccy eating monster]

Nic goes for 2 x 2 and 1/4 hour sessions per week. Afternoons. I wanted mornings, but there you go.

It is expensive, £7 per session but when she is funded I will send her for longer. She is tired but she needs it because she is an only child with no other kids in the family.

Her lunch club is £3.50 which I think is steep so we don't do it.

[Bumpkin]

L is 3.5 and has been going 5 mornings a week since June. She loves it and her behaviour has improved immensely since she started going.
She prefers having the same routine every day, so I don't think we'd do less days with more hours (don't have the option anyway).

Eta L was more than ready for 5 mornings a week at 2, some kids I know her age aren't really ready at all yet, so it's impossible to make sweeping statements. But what's wrong with wanting peace and quiet and a bit of time to yourself anyway????

[smiley]

L is 3yrs 7m and he does (since last week)

M 9am - 3pm
T 9am - 12noon
W 9am - 3pm
Th 9am - 12noon
F 9am - 3pm


Last year he did 5 mornings a week.

So far - one week in - he is absolutely fine. OK, a bit tired and wingey from 6ish, but I feed them a bit earlier now and have him in bed by 7 and he sleeps rght through :thumb:


As Kat said - you know your child. J could not have coped I know, but L is SO full of energy and desperate to be a 'big' boy, he loves the full days at school.


s xxx

[goldilocks]

Emma is 3.5 and I have just upped her sessions from 2 to 4. She goes Mon and Tues 11.45-3.45 (stays for lunch) and Wed and Thurs 12.45-3.45

My decision to send her that much was based purely on the fact that I want her prepared for primary school next year so her body has time to adapt.

[*SarahR*]

M is almost 3 and has just started 2 mornings (9-12). In January he will start to stay for lunch too, so 9-1.30. He has only done 1 week, so hard to say, but he absolutely loves it there, I can see that he finds it boring hanging around the house when I am doing washing etc in comparison as he tends to mope about and get himself into trouble. Obviously we do go out and do things together, but ykwim. He IS quite tired when I pick him up, but he has only just started there, I am sure he will build his stamina up.

I am waiting to see how he gets on in Jan as to increase to 1 more half day or not.

I have only seen L in action once, but she is a very busy little girl and one that I can imagine totally thriving in the pre-school environment. You should do what you feel is right for her, you know her best, don't listen to other people's opinions.

[lucypede]

Lucy has 3 sessions, one of these is an all-day (till 2.30) one.

I don't think she would benefit from anymore :happyno: but every child is different, and it sounds like Lottie benefits from the stimulation and atmosphere.

BTW, I did enquire whether Lucy could go for any other sessions, but its only a tiny one and they don't do tuesdays at all, and I like her to be at home with me on my non-working days. So we are happy with 3.

[Sai]

Jake goes four mornings a week, 9am-12.15 and from January he'll go five mornings the same time. He loves it and benefits greatly from it, and I get to do all the house chores (or put my feet up if I'm lucky) and then I can go out and do nice stuff with him in the afternoons.

[Miss Frosty]

Robbie goes 4 mornings from 9am - 11.30am and that suits me fine tbh :thumb:.

[funky_totts]

Ferne does5 mornings now-9.30-12.30...she absolutely loved it so def best decision for her

[ms sweetcheeks]

DS goes everyday Mon-Friday, but just for 2.5 hrs per day.
This particular place stipulates that they must atetnd everyday, so not much choice, as I want him to go there!

He loves it, though I can foresee that sometimes when I will be on Mat. Leave it might be slightly :yeahright: to have to take him there EVERYDAY- as it's in the middle of the day, so can't do much before or after:yeahright:

[Oppro]

DD started last November for 2 mornings a week 9.15-12.15. Over the last year I've gradually upped it to 4 mornings plus lunch 3 of those (so till 1.30pm). After half term I'm going to add on either the 5th morning, or stretch it to an afternoon too, not sure which yet. Will see nearer the time, might even leave it till New Year, but I want her doing 5 mornings, lunch & 2 afternoons by next Summer. When she goes up to big school next year she'll be doing 5 full days & I want her to get used to the idea, not chuck her in at the deep end & tell her sink or swim.

[Angel and Boo]

Gus does three full days (9-3:30) at a private nursery. He loves it and I don't see it as being too much for him at all. I'm sticking with the private nursery above the school nursery as I prefer the full days to half days, and think the private nursery provides a better learning environment.

[flowergirl]

My DD is 5 days a week from 8.30 - 3.00. She turned 4 today and has been going for a year. It's a full time pre-school - I can't choose sessions. She doesn't seem to get particularly tired, she's a bad sleeper anyway!

[donna-j]

Thomas does two full days atm, approx 9-5 (private nursery). We move next week but it has all been a bit last minute so I haven't phoned the new local school yet to see if they have a nursery place. I might keep him where he is and put Clara in too for a few months so that I can deal with renovating the new house as it is *supposed* to be my new career ...

Thomas isn't great 'emotionally' at going to nursery (though much better than he was) but so needs it academically (he is a bright spark).

[Cat Queen]

Grace is 4 in December but here in Manchester (salford) she is entitled to a place is nursery. She now goes full time which is 9.00 - 3.30 every day (mon -Fri) and seems to be fitting in fine. I was worried how she would adapt, but no problems whatsover.

Just looked at some of the post..Grace does far more than others, ..but she loves being at 'big school' like Jack and is really coping well with the hours

[scatterbrain]

Abigail goes to nursery 2 full days & a half day. She's fine & I'm actually thinking of upping this to another half day as she seems to enjoy it while there and I don't have any groups to take her to that morning.

So that would be 6+ sessions. She's almost 2.

Scatterbrain

[alex]

Now I don't believe for a second that they were right :loco: but I'm now wondering whether 3 whole days a week is a bit much? How often does your child go to preschool and are you happy with that?

I agree with you Lilybett, just because that is their opinion does not mean that that is Law, so to speak. Each to their own and all that!

DD2 Layla (5 in November) is in reception now :lurve: but from age 2 and a half to July (just gone) she went to pre-school.

From the June (07) when she first started she did just 2 morning sessions from 9-11:45am.

The after the summer holidays from the September until the end of the term at christmas she did 3 morning sessions (she was 3 in the November by this time)

Then from the Jan 08 (when we were eligible for her gov funding as she had turned 3 the previous November) she did 4 morning sessions (we always had thursdays off do our music class with dd3 aswell)

And the from this January when she was 4 she did 5 sessions which were split into a mon am session, tue pm (12:45-3:15), wed am and all day friday from 9-11:45 came home for lunch or take a packed lunch to the park and then back again at 12:45-3:15.

It suited US very well with the emphasis on us! Just like the hours you choose for Lottie will suit you and Lottie, just like the hours those other mums in the playground choose will suit them and their children etc etc etc! :lol:

[allana]

Lucas does two afternoons at the moment and will hopefully go up to 2.5 days when the grant kicks in. That does depend if they've got any space, though!!

Totally agree about it being tiring for them. We had horrific tantrums when he started until we twigged about how tired he must be. I've taken to shoving him straight to bed for a catnap as soon as we get in, and fingers crossed, he has been much better!! No doubt I have jinxed myself for tomorrow, now :doh:

[Monkey Chops]

Jack goes 5 afternoons, he could probably do with full days tbh as he drives me mad when he's home asking to go back to nursery!

[kelly]

Jimmy is 4 and goes 5 afternoons to nursery (1pm - 3.30pm)

[RealGoneKid]

E goes to pre-school at her day nursery and does 4 full days a week (8-5).

ETA If I didn't work she would have gone to the school pre-school which is 5 sessions a week, either mornings or afternoons.

[Penfold]

Banana does two mornings 9am - 12pm atm and she loves it. From January when her grant kicks in she will do 3 mornings and hopefully lunch club two days so on two of the days she will go 9am - 1pm. She's 3 just before christmas. Personally for me I don't want to send her more than that because I love having her around and on the other two days we do stuff with my CM group which I don't want her to miss out on.

Only you know Lottie and what will suit her and therefore don't listen to anyone else.

[Blonde Girl]

I think the key thing here is you know YOUR child and you know what is right or wrong for her :nod:

My situation was different as I worked so Dan was at nursery when he was L's age so I didn't get the choice :happyno: He did two full days 7.30 till 6.30 and then a morning from 9-12. I didn't work during his morning session and I still was more than happy for him to go.

He loved nursery, never ever didn't want to go and seemed to get a lot out of it.


If I hadn't worked I think I would have sent him for the full 5 sessions from age 3 as I think he would have benefited, plus he is quite young in his year and I would have been concerned about his ability to cope once he started school.