Son's Nursery

georgie262

My son is 3 years old and will be starting school in September. He isn't 4 until the very end of August. He has attended the same private nursery, full time, since he was 10 months old.
On Saturday night one of the girls from nursery babysat for me and my husband and we were chatting when we got back. She mentioned that she had moved to the pre-school room and wasn't with DS anymore and I replied 'oh but he'll be following you there soon anyway' she mentioned that there were problems with numbers in the older room because schools now only do a September intake so it probably won't be until late Feb early March. I thought nothing of it (I was fine with this) until the manager of the nursery said this morning that the girls had mentioned I'd asked about DS moving to the pre-school room. I said yes I had and she said that he won't be because it's going to be a 4+ room from now on. I countered that DS will never be 4 for the time he is at nursery because he is the youngest in his year group but she wouldn't really budge and wouldn't accept that he would be disadvantaged when he gets to school by staying in the younger room with children who will not be in his academic year. My DS is a stereotypical boy - he finds it difficult to concentrate for long periods (or even not so long periods) he will draw for ages but try and get him to draw letter or numbers and he loses interest. It's not just the academic side I want him to be making friends with children who he could be potentially put in the same class as. My questions are really, am I worrying about nothing (I have been considering querying nursery places at the school he will be attending) or am I right to be worried? I'm normally quite laid back but this has me concerned and I think a range of viewpoints could help.

Thanks

Better_Days

Would be a lot easier to read if there were paragraphs.

So am I right in understanding that the nursery is putting children together based on their age rather than what academic year they will be in? If so it seems sensible when the children are so young. Is your son happy in the class he is in in nursery? As he is only 3 I wouldn't be that worried about him not wanting to draw letters and numbers, any learning should be play based at this age.

Also that children of that age make friends (and fall out) very easily so I can't see that it will disadvantage him when he gets to school. Especially as there will be lots of children from other nurseries or a home enviroment. Does he have a particular 'special friend' at nursery that has now been put into the other class and he is distressed as a result?

I suppose what it comes down to is do you think your son is in the appropriate group for his current level of development? And more practically what can you do if you think this is not the case and the nursery wont budge? Do you think it would be beneficial to move him to another nursery?

georgie262

The nursery Manager has said that he would have been moved up but there is no room in the pre-school class to do this and she has to think of all the children not just my son. I get that.

The pre-school room used to be just that by January/February time all children who would be starting school in September would be in the pre-school room and starting prep for school. I worry that he will start school and be behind his peers as he had missed out on being in the older age group room.
I really dont know if it will be beneficial to move him to the school nursery - I think it would be a shame I would like him to move up with the children he has been with and they do a little graduation at his nursery in the summer which I would love him to attend.

He has a very close friend in the pre-school/4+ room and she is the daughter of my best friend but he's not distressed at being in a different room.

I dont know if its best to just relax and think if he is behind he can catch up in reception class.

LandyAndy

I think you are overthinking this.

I don't suppose children who have been at home with younger siblings instead of at a nursery are 'disadvantaged' for long if at all.

A week or two at school (maybe a day or two) and nursery will be a distant memory for a 4 year old.

GobbledyGook

What ages are the children he is in the room with?

If he's with a group of children roughly his age (assuming the issue of not having a January intake leaving will affect more than one child), even if mostly slightly younger, I wouldn't have an issue with it.

If he's going to be the only pre-schooler in a room full of babies then I'd be unhappy.

georgie262

I'm not sure exactly - DS moved into the room he is in now when he had just turned 2 (sept 2013) so by the time he leaves he will have been there for nearly 2 years. There are about 4 children (in total but they are part time) in the younger room with him who 'should' have moved to pre school room. There are 30 children (again in total they are not all there at the same time) in the pre school room. The manager has said that if she moves DS then she will have to move the other 4 children which will leave the pre school room 'jam packed' I am starting to come round a bit now but nursery is so expensive I did feel to begin with that we were getting a bit of a 'raw deal' I suppose. Like I said I think I'm feeling better about it now

WestonDave

To be honest the little chap is going to spend the next 14 years in a "system" so I'd personally let him enjoy a bit more carefree childhood. As long as he is reasonably bright (and for example you are parents haven't had problems with keeping up at school) then he'll do fine. Most kids are keen to learn - if he can draw well he already has the hand eye co-ordination that just needs translating to "drawing" letters and numbers. Make sure you read lots to him so he is fascinated by stories so that he has an incentive to read, but keep it all fun and interesting. Whether teacher will approve or not I'm not sure but we made a decision with our kids that rather than start teaching them reading and writing etc at home, we would help them learn about things they were interested in - nature, weather, trains etc. Both are in the top end of their classes so I don't think they've suffered and often their teachers say that they clearly have a wide range of things to draw on (from books they've read or things they've learned) that show up when they are asked to write stories etc in class.

Jagraf

Tis takes me back. My DD is end of August baby too and went to full time nursery. Shes now in her final year at school. Chill, it will be sorted out at school.

At school there will be a range of abilities, and also kids who have been to nursery full time, part time, or not at all. They will all have different skills academically and socially.

I was worried as DD was young and left handed - oh how I had sleepless nights!!! She's now in GCSE year and the only problem is she says she won't be able to drive or drink alcohol at the same time as her mates do!

Please sleep easy x

Mojisola

georgie262 wrote: »

There are about 4 children (in total but they are part time) in the younger room with him who 'should' have moved to pre school room.

The manager has said that if she moves DS then she will have to move the other 4 children which will leave the pre school room 'jam packed' I am starting to come round a bit now but nursery is so expensive I did feel to begin with that we were getting a bit of a 'raw deal'

It can't be beyond the management skills of the nursery staff to give those four children a few different things to do which will bridge the gap between the nursery and school.

You're paying for a service and they aren't going to be providing it for the youngest children in each year group because it suits them, not the children.

But I'd also agree with WestonDave - don't push him too early. We start formal education far too young in this country.

Make-it-3

I think you are right to be concerned. This does happen with pre-school rooms they are bulging come August and then half empty in September, but nurseries know this and need to plan accordingly.

The important things about pre-school classes are being prepared for school - learning to do things for themselves like put on their own clothes, tidy up, work together in a group, toileting etc.

OP I would be making more of a fuss about nursery re-jigging their pre-school structure to accommodate all children who will be starting school this year.

tyllwyd

I agree with other comments - he is only very young at the moment, so as long as you are doing all the normal things with him, reading picture books, a poster of the alphabet up on the wall, talking to him, letting him draw, playing with toys sets and doing jigsaws, he won't be behind his peers. They will make new friendships very easily in reception class, so I would just go with whatever you think he will be happiest and most relaxed with.