Do you have a little one starting pre-school in January, or sooner? Choosing quality childcare is one of the most important decisions we have to make for our children. Here’s Kerry from Multiple Mummy with how she found the right place for her son.

After having my first son I took nine months of maternity leave. Towards the end of this leave I started investigating childcare options, as I did not have any family members that were in a position to help. Following careful consideration and many visits, we decided on what turned out to be the most marvelous nursery.

Everyone prepared and warned me for the tears as you drop them off (as they don’t want to leave you) and also when you pick them up (as they are relieved you came back.) This did not happen with Noah. He was happily passed to the nursery nurse (that they called aunties) without a second thought or glance to me. He was always so thrilled to see me when I picked him up, highlighting what a good day he had had.

Following the twins I was not able to work and my husband changed jobs. Travelling with Noah half an hour down the road to where we both used to work was crazy, so when he was two we started thinking about pre-schools. There are three in our town and you would not think that the difference between the three could vary so much but they did:

The first had no structured activity and was entirely play.

The second was almost like school, very structured, sit at tables and do worksheets!

The third was middle of the road, lots of set up activities but the children could choose and it involved lots of play.

We opted for the third choice. At two and half I think children need a little guidance and an opportunity to do things but they will have a long time at school, so in my opinion they don’t need too much structure that early!

We thought and assumed the transfer would be easy. We were wrong. For the first time ever we had tears and upset and not wanting to go. I was beside myself and was so confused; when I said we were going to school he would be all excited and as soon as we pulled up he would burst into tears.

It was only after a couple of weeks that I realised he was associating this place with his old nursery as we had called that school. I started to call this one the blue house and suddenly his opinion changed. After another couple of weeks he said randomly in the car ‘Mummy, I like the blue house!’ Then he started to stay for lunch-in came the lunchbox, and now going to the ‘Blue House’ is all about what’s in it. He is obsessed!

So, the decision to start the twins has come up, and although they are not 2 and half until March, some places are available in January and the ‘Blue House’ has offered to have them for a couple of mornings a week from then.

I am slightly terrified. They have never been into childcare and so I have no idea how they will react. They have been away from me for short period of time, but only ever looked after by a family member.

I am hoping to prepare them from Christmas time, saying that they will be going there after January and the Nursery have said I can take them in for an hour or so before they break up for Christmas to see how they manage.

I shall get them their very own lunchboxes and hope that because they are together they will be each other’s support. I don’t know whether to stay with them in the beginning or leg it out quick smart before they notice I am gone!

So tell me, do you have any children starting pre-school in January? Have you already got some in pre-school? How have you prepared your children to be ready for the experience?

Useful link:

Family Information Services (FIS)  A service providing information, advice and assistance to parents, carers and professionals on the range of children, family and young people’s services available within their area – including  childcare options.

Share on Facebook