OMG DS is starting nursery on Monnday - only found out today (And they asked if he could start tomorrow ... uhh no!!) But have some problems ...

[MrsKittylette]

He doesnt want to go

We went in and he was so withdrawn and terrified!

He has issues with things, for example he wouldnt wear his suit at my wedding, things that are unfamiliar to him upset him and I think we are going to have trouble with his uniform.

He has an afternoon placement from 1:30 - 3:30.

Im excited because i think its good for him but feeling a bit guilty as we were told he couldnt start till September as there were no places left and I rang today to check and happened to ring as she was going through the reserve list because of a cancellation.

His teacher is my sisters best friends muma nd a lovely lady which Im glad of.

But im generally feelinf awful, guilty and like I dont want him to go

I mean whats he going to think when i disapear and hes left in this odd place??

hes 3 BTW.

[bossybritches]

He has UNIFORM at 3????

If you have a place for Spetember could you wait till then & take it up or will you lose it?

[pinkbubble]

Has he visited the Nursery?

[pinkbubble]

Also ment to add, can you stay with him or is it advised that you leave? My DDs Nursery let you stay as long as you/DC needed!

[pinkbubble]

"meant" even not ment!

[seeker]

Does he have to go? And why uniform at nursery? There really isn't a rule that says they have to go to nursery, you know!

[fishie]

he can't be the only child who has felt like this, ask the nursery what can be done.

[fishie]

oh no, cancel it all. no uniform for three year olds.

[lisad123]

Its normal to feel guitly and worried about leaving dc in a strange place. Its great that you know the teacher is lovely.
They will call if he gets too upset, honestly and in my experience most children are fine once the parent leaves

You could always ease him in, maybe ask to do an hour first and then increase. You can also call to check (I did this loads).

Get him involved as much as possible with things like choosing uniform, new bag, and be sure to be there to pick him up on time

Good luck and enjoy the 2 hours you have, before it starts again lol

Lisa

[scanner]

Surely uniform for a 3 year old is a good thing. I know I've moaned over the years when my dc's have had their clothes ruined with paint etc. Uniform tends to be inexpensive and easy to wash etc.

[MrsKittylette]

Its a nursery at a school, the school I went to, a really good one.

I do want him to go but hes 'hard to read' iykwim and im worried he will feel lost

[Kewcumber]

all my two yr olds clothes are cheap and easy to wash - why would you buy anything else for a toddler?!

Kitty - as someone said just ring and talk to them - explain that you haven't had time to prepare him for all the changes because you didn;t think you had a place. Either they can suggest something or perhaps defer him starting until Easter/half term...

[lisad123]

also stops the whole thing of having to find clothes every morning, and kids saying "you have this t shirt, mines better" LOL

[bossybritches]

Yes but scanner they are still BABIES!!
Buy cheap & cheerful clothes that will stand a hot wash & just use them for nursery, you don't send them in their best togs!

They need daycare nursery not school environment (sorry OP) where they can be messy & creative & cuddled & allowed to develop at their own pace not forced to conform!!

[seeker]

Will he not get a place at the school if he doesn't go to the nursery? I just hate the idea of 3 year olds in uniform and I can't get past that idea, I'm afraid!

[PeachesMcLean]

Once he settled, nursery for my boy was a brilliant 2 hour play session. I have no reason to have kept him away. Your DS may love it just as much when he's settled. Hope so. And don't avoid it just cos there's a uniform. Can you ease that in? as in present items as his own new clothes?

[PeachesMcLean]

Uniform = cheap clothes you can chuck in the washing machine. (or it does for DS anyway)
It wouldn't be my first choice for three year olds but surely he's going to get past that and just enjoy himself. Are they a bit old fashioned in other ways - do they embrace the whole "learning through play" idea?

[MrsKittylette]

No its a fantastic place, they just paint, colour, have stories, play outside on bikes, make lego things ect

They just have a uniform, I went there at 3 and wore one and it never harmed me!

Dont most catholic schools have a uniform?

I love it personally, but DS being the kind of soul he is wont.

[islandofsodor]

All the nurseries in my area have uniforms from age 3 (and the state ones are full time 5 days a week but that's another story!)

My ds was very reluctant at first, he has his foibles and there were tears for several weeks. Now he skips into nursery (except this week becasue he had a holiday.

As for the uniform, he got upset when they had a non uniform day as to him Nursery = my red jumper.

[lisad123]

surely uniform isnt a reason to stop him going, but i know what its like my dd1 was and still is a sensitive girl and hates change.
Im pretty sure that education standards have reached all nurseries by now, witht he knowledge that learning though play being best for that age.

He will settle hun, promise and he will love having access to all the xtra fun they have at nursery

[MrsKittylette]

Its just a mixture of everything, no preperation time at all,

maybe I should wait until September?

[PeachesMcLean]

So, it's very short notice for you, but a few days for him can seem like forever. Are you available to stay with him for the first few sessions? Do they allow that? Seems a shame not to try nursery, if you can ease him in gently. If he really doesn't like it, tell him nursery has finished for the holidays and that it starts again in September. Then let him forget about it until then.

[LynetteScavo]

I was so stressed out when DS1 started nursery - and I'd had months to get my head around it. DH said I was a bitch to live with for 2 weeks.

What is the uniform like?

[juuule]

I'd wait while September.

[Heifer]

They will have had loads of children who find it hard to settle in, they will know exactly what to do, and what you should do.

How often will he be going?

I put my DD in for 2 sessions per week at first, then added more later.

I bet he will love it in a couple of weeks time...

Re Uniform, I used to think it odd, but as we have just moved, my DD is now going to a nursery attached to a school and has to wear a uniform, but they are sensible at least and the uniform for nursery and reception is trackie bottoms, poloshirt and sweatshirt and black shoes so nothing ridiculous for a 3/5 year old to wear.

Try it at least. Think of the free time you will have

[yurt1]

ds3 is my first to wear a uniform at 3. (all 3 have been in some sort of nursery at 3). I can't see it makes any difference in what they actually do (seems very similar in the 2 provisions I've used). The uniform certainly doesn't come home clean! I do think its a bit daft but ime has nothing to do with what the children actually do there (which is the important bit). I was concerned that a nursery with uniform would be more formal and more into 'academics' but that hasn't been my experience at all.

I'd give it a go- start 2 or 3 days or sessions then build up if you can. Mine have all started with small sessions and built up over several years and its worked well. DS3 is in more than the other 2 were at his age (I've gone back to work) but also started small and built up and has settled in well.