Should I switch 4yo DD to PT preschool when sibling and nanny arrive?

[Anonymous]

My DD has been an full-day (9am-6pm) preschool 3-4 days per week since she turned three. She really likes it there, and I have trouble tearing her away from playing with her friends at the end of the day. For example, she is much less resistant to going in the mornings than she was to going to the in-home daycare she was in previously for similar hours, which was just not stimulating enough at the end. She is very sociable and outgoing.

We are expecting our second child in July, right around DD's 4th birthday. We will be getting a nanny this time around, probably to start around November (though we are flexible). The expectation is that the nanny would work 10 hr/day, 4 day/week. (I work only part-time.) We cannot decide whether to try to switch then-4yo DD to a new, PT preschool this fall and have her with the nanny and baby PT, or leave her at her current school and have nanny be primarily responsible only for baby. (With a pay bump on those days DD ends up staying home for whatever reason.)

I think it would be cheaper to switch, but we are fortunate that cost is not really a concern. I'm not so much worried that DD wouldn't adapt to a new preschool as I am worried that she would actually prefer/thrive in the full-day preschool setting rather than being with the nanny and a newborn. And I could see advantages to the baby in having those 3-4 days a week with lots of one-on-one time.

DH doesn't want to rock the boat and spend time researching and applying to PT preschools. I was inclined to agree, but then saw a post on the nanny forums where people really jumped down MB's throat about leaving 4yo in full-time preschool instead of home with nanny and baby.

WWYD?

[Anonymous]

The post that concerned us would have the 4 year old switch from nanny/preschool split days to full day plus preschool when the new infant replaced the preschooler with the nanny. That situation could be really hard on the older child, who may view the infant with resentment. Your situation is totally different, and for consistency for your older child, stay with status quo.

[Anonymous]

That poster was also trying her hardest to structure things so that the nanny never had to watch both children. The whole thing was weird.

In your case, do what you want. You've got a nanny who can do drop offs and/or pickups, so yay!

Although, honestly, no matter how much your daughter loves preschool, I vote for less stimulating afternoons at home, at least sometimes. The siblings will have time together, the nanny can do more personalized things with her. She can slow down some. She only gets to be four once. All day school is right around the corner.

[Anonymous]

We just switched to half day and honestly I regret it. My 3.5 year old was much happier before.

[Anonymous]

You've already posted this topic. We gave you advice, you only wanted to talk about how you're right. Please leave ::points to exit, opens door::

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You've already posted this topic. We gave you advice, you only wanted to talk about how you're right. Please leave ::points to exit, opens door::

No, I'm really a new poster, I swear. Though I did accidentally cross post with dcum parenting forum. I'm totally open to hearing which is right. I've never had two kids before ....it was that original post that made me second guess our plan, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That poster was also trying her hardest to structure things so that the nanny never had to watch both children. The whole thing was weird.

In your case, do what you want. You've got a nanny who can do drop offs and/or pickups, so yay!

Although, honestly, no matter how much your daughter loves preschool, I vote for less stimulating afternoons at home, at least sometimes. The siblings will have time together, the nanny can do more personalized things with her. She can slow down some. She only gets to be four once. All day school is right around the corner.

Op here. The current plan would have her home with nanny one afternoon, home with me another, preschool ft three days. I thought it sounded like a nice, if expensive, balance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That poster was also trying her hardest to structure things so that the nanny never had to watch both children. The whole thing was weird.

In your case, do what you want. You've got a nanny who can do drop offs and/or pickups, so yay!

Although, honestly, no matter how much your daughter loves preschool, I vote for less stimulating afternoons at home, at least sometimes. The siblings will have time together, the nanny can do more personalized things with her. She can slow down some. She only gets to be four once. All day school is right around the corner.

Op here. The current plan would have her home with nanny one afternoon, home with me another, preschool ft three days. I thought it sounded like a nice, if expensive, balance.

Sounds good.