ECCE

brokensoul

My kids are due to start playschool for their ECCE years in September. They haven't been in creche at all yet and I think that going straight to 5 days a week might be a lot for them to start with.

I am just wondering if it is possible to only send them for 3 days at the start?
I am guessing it might be a problem as the playschool are being paid by the state for 15 hours a week, but not sure if that matters.

Ideally i'd like to send them 3 days a week until Christmas, 4 days after Christmas and then 5 days a week for the second year.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

shesty

How old are they?

I thought this too with my first.She was three end of June and started the ECCE in the September.I thought she wouldn't be able for it at all and wanted to start with a short week and build it up.The school were absolutely open to starting her gently but when I was dithering they told me to go for it with the full week.They said from their experience, the kids were actually well able, and often felt they were missing out with the short week.I cannot praise this preschool enough, they are fantastic and go above and beyond, so in hindsight I can see that they were being very honest with me about it, and money wasn't the issue.I can also see in the almost two years she's been there, I do "underestimate" her sometimes, so to speak, she's well able for more than I realise at times.

I guess it depends on their age.Mine were never in creche either, but were in a minder's.Do you habe any specific reasons that you think they mightn't be able??

dori_dormer

I think you'd have to set the days for the whole year unless the preschool wasnt full. You can't sign up for 5 days and only go 3 as preschool will lose funding. But they probably can't hold the space for empty days either as they could likely fill it with another child and be paid. You should chat with the preschool and see what they say. In all likely hood the kids will adapt fine tho!

Anne_cordelia

dori_dormer wrote: »

I think you'd have to set the days for the whole year unless the preschool wasnt full. You can't sign up for 5 days and only go 3 as preschool will lose funding. But they probably can't hold the space for empty days either as they could likely fill it with another child and be paid. You should chat with the preschool and see what they say. In all likely hood the kids will adapt fine tho!

Completely agree with this. If you go part time, the preschool will need to fill the other spaces so you won’t be able to increase after Christmas.

What age are they? My 2 older ones were minded at home until 3+6 mths and 3+8 mths and adjusted fine to 5 days a week.

jlm29

My eldest started for full weeks straight away, but it was a few years ago when they only had one free year, so he was probably a bit older.
My second guy is starting after Easter, only two or three days a week, though I’m open to sending him full time if he really wants to after a few weeks. The playschool is fine about him attending part time, but that’s probably because the place is vacant anyhow. It probably depends on geography- if you live in an area where pre school places aren’t too scarce, it prob won’t be a problem, but if places are at a premium, you probably haven’t a hope!

brokensoul

Thanks all!

They will be just gone 3 when they start. We are in Cork city and spaces are limited in playschools here so I am guessing it won't be a possibility but I guess it can't hurt to ask.

sillysocks

It’s definitely possible but up to the childcare facility themselves. My toddler won’t even be 3 starting so going to do 3 Days for the first year; not under pressure for it childcare wise so just going to ease her in. The Montessori have no issue with it and just fill that out on the ecce forms. But some places have more rigid rules.

I’ve 3 kids and they all did 3 days for 1 year and 5 days the second year so not going to fix what isn’t broken!

scarepanda

Hi brokesoul,

My girl is about a month younger that your guys. I'm a SAHM so shes never been in any childminding set up. We're going to send her 5 days from the beginning. We figured she'd be able for the full week, but also if she wasn't it would be easier to cut days later than try up them.

Have you brought them into the preschool your sending them to to see how they get on?