moving from nursery to preschool and childminder?

[Xmasbaby11]

DD1 is 2.4 and has been in nursery since she was 9 mo. She's going to be 3 next January and rather than leave her where she is, DH wants to move her to the preschool for our preferred primary school, basically to increase her chances of getting into the school. I'm very unsure about this because of the following:

It is 3 hours every morning or afternoon, school term time only, so she would also need a childminder (we both work full time)

DD2 will be 1 then and I will go back to work after maternity leave, so she will also go to the childminder.

It's the second school in our catchment area and the school is oversubscribed so it's unlikely she'll get in anyway. I don't think they consider preschool attendance.

it feels like quite an upheaval and I'm not sure if it's worth it. I'd be interested to hear what others would do in this situation.

[HSMMaCM]

Check the admissions criteria. It probably won't make any difference to your chances of getting a place at the school. If your child is happy at nursery, then stay there.

[meadowquark]

In your situation I would leave here where she is. Pre-schol does not guarantee place in the school. And it sounds too much of faff with the childminder and holidays to cover.

I have DS2 (3) in a nursery and I will move him to a pre-school in September, but it is only because the pre-school hours are 8:30-3:00 and we are getting au-pair as a wrap around.

[bucketofbathtoys]

Pre school very very rarely effects reception chances. Unless it suits you then don't feel compelled to move. We did it but ours has full wrap round and holiday club!

[Iggly]

I would consider it because what will you do when she starts school? Might be easier to have both with a CM.

[Xmasbaby11]

I don't think it will improve her chances at all and it would be a faff! There are after school clubs and holiday clubs for when she starts school, so I don't know if we'll need a childminder.