Responding to threads on here and statuses on FB, it's become apparent that there is a little "quorum" of B&B preemies who will be starting Pre-School (Nursery, call it what you will!) in 2012. I thought it might be nice for us to have our own little thread to discuss the process, issues, our progress etc.

Hands up all those who wondered whether they'd ever see the day

I'll kick off with Andrew, who'll turn three just 2 weeks before the September term starts. We had considered asking to delaying his schooling for a year starting from Pre-School point, but now feel that being with other children would be good for his development. So we're going to start his education at 3 with his peer-group but perhaps consider delaying at 5 if necessary.

Note. From Bliss website. "Defer" is to start school late but with same peer-group. "Delay" is to start school one year after peer-group, child is older than rest of class.

As a result of his development meeting last July, Andrew's s.332 letter was issued. This notified the LEA that he will potentially have special needs during education, in his case they were described as "medical and complex needs". We presume the "medical" is his hearing; the "complex" is his development. The Pre-Schools Advisor suggested at that meeting that we get Andrew's name on the list for the Pre-Schools in our area. I think the referral to the Edu Psychologist was also meant to come off the back of the s.332 letter but there is a huge waiting list for those appointments round here.

The same Pre-Schools Advisor visited this week to discuss schooling with us, I specifically requested the meeting because he is now on the list for 4 local Pre-Schools and I wanted to know what support he would get. She told us that, given his development (or rather, lack of it) over the last six months, she was recommending that he instead attend a Special Needs Pre-School. TBH this actually came as a relief to us, because of his hearing issues we know that he has difficulties (not to mention feeding problems, communication problems etc) so it is reassuring to think that he would be going somewhere that has a higher staff ratio with experience and patience when handling these issues. There is nothing to stop Andrew transferring from SN pre & primary education over to mainstream later on, but I understand it is much harder to switch into SN if he starts mainstream.

You'd think being a city we'd have variety, but there's surprisingly little provision, only a couple of SN Pre-Schools. One is about 5 miles away and, although I haven't checked their Ofsted, I know from friends that it has a good reputation. More handily though, that school have started providing OutReach Nursery services in local SureStart Centres for children who don't need all the physical disability equipment held in the school - so if we can get a place, Andrew could be going somewhere only a mile away in a familiar setting.

Anybody know where you can get school uniform in size 12-18m?

We're another lot. I don't know how the nursery will be about her not being potty trained and tbh I think it's a disaster waiting to happen I don't think she will cope
It's either that or she goes to the play-group next door, which would be more one-on-one I hear.

My friends LO is in the same nursery and from everything I've heard from her, she's no way ready for it.

We have big appointments in march and I will really need to have a good word with the community care team

Potty-training was an obvious concern of ours, but we were told that this would be the least of our worries - the scare stories are about primary school classes, not nursery age (3y) which normally have TA to do that kind of thing.

It was the description of a typical nursery class that concerned us, routines that included "group storytime" during which children supposedly all sit together and listen for a while. Huh? Andrew won't stay put for more than a minute Forget group activities, he's still at the point of doing what he wants when he wants (and we encourage such independence!)

Look on the appointments in March as your opportunity to ask questions and get what you want for Alex - remember, you're her best advocate.

Exactly that marleysgirl! One story I was til was that her little boy was playing with sand and water and because this was two activities rather than just the one they were doing (playing with sand and not water) he got time out. Mum went mad, she's a nursery nurse herself

Time out? Alex doesn't even "get" bed time so how would she even begin to understand time out!!!??

It all seems way too advanced. She can only "draw" for a minute and she's off.

Andrew decides his own bedtime. He knows that 6:30pm is "bedroom time" but takes himself to his bed (i.e. stops playing with toys) anywhere between then and 8:30pm. He only shouts for our attention if he hurts himself!!

Brooke will be 3 on jan 30th and started preschool last September. she was born early due to severe pre-e and severe IUGR. she is also wearing 12-18m and we couldn't find uniform to fit her! her preschool has been massivley understanding though, and a few other children wear what they want to.

the preschool Brooke goes to never, ever do time out-and certainly don't discourage mixing things like sand+water! they have free reign between indoor and outdoor area and are free to move around as they want. they do have group time for 15mins at the start of the day but they are encouraged to talk about themselves and are certainly not forced to sit. you might be surprised how well they sit-I certainly was with Brooke!

brooke had a febrile convulsion in late November and went into respiratory arrest-we were so lucky not to loose her and subsequently I was a nervous wreck getting her back into 'school'. however the school could not have been more helpful and have made a care plan to deal with anything that might arise. Brooke's physical development, speech, toilet training and listening skills have developed an amazing amount since starting and I know 100% we made the right decision. good luck to all your LOs. it feels like such a milestone doesn't it

Although holly isn't starting pre school this year due to her only turning 2 she has been in nursery since April and the stuff she will do in nursery is different to what she would do at home.

In nursery she eats great most of the time, will sit for story time, draw by herself and at free play time she will happily play with herself. At home eating is hit & miss mainly not eating! When she is drawing she makes you sit with her and draw animals on the page rather than her doing it and when playing with things she pulls you by the hand to play with her and if you don't she throws a strop.

Kids are smart and definitely know how to play mum & dad!

I echo all of what 25weeker has said, due to me having PND and to help his development Matthew has been in nursery one half day a week since he was 8 months and it has done wonders. He follows their structure and sits well for stories etc.

He should be due to start nursery in May but I have not heard anything back yet (must remember to chase that up s)

I'm hoping in the meantime to get 'wrap around' extra nursery time that we pay for to help as Daniel (who is 6 weeks old and was 10 weeks early) still has a lot of checks etc and Matthew can be a handful as he neve stops and has no bum to sit on!

Good idea for a thread Marleysgirl shall follow with interest xx

Archie will start school nursery in August. We have no concerns about him making this move. He's been at nursery since he was 11 months old and loves it. I registered Archie at his school nursery when he was 11 months old so we could get a space as it's a fee paying school. When we discussed his prematurity at that time they decided to put hm in the year before pre school. However, we were invited to the school late last year and they have since changed their mind inviting him to join the pre school year. They have said that he may be held back a year due to his birthday being in Feb and the fact he is a boy, which I won't mind at all.

I am so very proud of my wee boy and feel blessed with how Archie has turned out. I am so looking forward to taking him to school in August. It will be one of the proudest moments in my life.