how necessary is nursery?

the beast is 2.5. we've got a primary school in mind here in our village that we'd really like to get her into, but they don't start until reception year.

i've been researching nurseries in our area online, mainly via ofsted reports, but none of them really seem decent.

how absolutely necessary do you feel that nursery school is? i feel like she's got a really good start on things so far just through the time i spend working with her--she's counting to 50, knows her ABCs, can spell her name, identify the continents, name the months of the year and days of the week, knows her colours and has a great vocabulary. she socialises well with other kids as she spends a good deal of time with her cousins.

not really sure what to do. i don't want to send her off to some substandard place for a session of glorified babysitting, but i don't want her missing out on things, either.

I did read the Ofsted reports, but went with my gut based on visiting the actual nurseries.

Where is Ro when you work? With family?

My 2p is that trying nursery *might* be a good idea if you can - especially if you can for a bit before sprog 2 comes along. My experience with my 2 kids was that Sammy went to part time nursery off and on from 6 months (not by pure choice - I had to work). He's now 4.5 and adjusts to new environments very well. He's started full time PreK here with no issues at all (aside from issues related to his illness).

Jake, my younger son, has been with me or my mother pretty much from Day 1. We started him in preschool just recently and he's got major separation anxiety. He misses his brother a LOT, misses me, misses everyone. Like Ro, he's very bright and fine in play groups and with family.

So, part of me wishes I'd started him in something a bit sooner so he'd be more used to the 'school' environment.

I don't think there's a right or wrong answer, but you may find that Ro regresses a bit with the new baby around and nursery might help her with that. Just food for thought!

I'm certainly no expert by far since I have no kids- so feel free to ignore me completely  but - I will tell you the experience of my sister

My sister's (step)son, now age 7 and in the second grade, didn't go to nursery school at all- (they couldn't afford private pre-school and there was no headstart in their area). She brought him to story hour at the library and worked with him on his academics, did cooking for teaching maths, etc. He was fine academically- in line with the other kids, etc.  He didn't have seperation anxiety or anything going to kindergarten, he was quite willing and able to go, he loved going! However, the one thing he really struggled with was "how school works" i.e standing in lines, raising his hand (he did have some of this in story hour), waiting to be called on ,calling teachers properly, actually using the toliet with other boys around instead of just playing, etc.  My sister did have her hands full in kindergarten and first grade and he needed behaviour charts, etc for doing schoolwork and not playing, not acting out, listening, paying attention, not talking when he's not supposed to, etc  - However, he's doing much better now in the second grade.

Now, I know most of that is down to her son's personality- but she does wish that she could have gotten him into school sooner- and now that her other son is 2.5 and almost potty trained, she's ready to push him into preschool as soon as he's able to go (she moved to a new area with headstart)- So its worth considering these things with your daughter when trying to weigh the pros-and cons.  However, I think like anything else parenting is a very personal process, (which again, I have no experience of, so just ignore me!!!  )  so you need to do what ultimately you think will be best for your kiddo.   

Ofsted reports aren't the end all be all....I would go visit the area nurseries and see for yourself. 
You could also call the primary school that you want your child to attend to see if they can recommend anything.  Where do the children that attend that primary attend nursery/preschool?

how absolutely necessary do you feel that nursery school is?

I don't feel it's absolutely necessary.  That may sound strange coming from a preschool teacher, and I definitely think it's useful for some children and parents, but it is not a necessary step for all children.  If you're providing your daughter with a variety of experiences (including lots of time for imaginative play) and making sure she learns about sharing and taking turns by spending plenty of time with other children, then I wouldn't worry.

Agree with Tin.
Is there a playgroup nearby where you could start her a morning or two a week?  Check local churches.  They usually require you to be on duty for some of the time, so that may be an issue if you work.
We did that for my two, plus things like Tufty Club (!) where they could get used to being in a group of other kids. I'm sure they got enough exposure to books, educational toys and activities at home.

I'm struggling with that decision here myself. My son is 2.5 as well. We have our sights set on the faith-based school for his reception year, but there isn't a nursery program there at all.

We are in a catchment for a primary that has a nursery on-site, but I'm honestly not that impressed by it. The Ofsted is "ok" for the school, but since it's a primary and not an infants, frankly I'm a bit nervous at the idea of sending him right now to a large school with children that are up to 12 years old. 

I do feel that since they start formal school (Reception) at a younger age than he would be starting kindergarten in the States, I don't necessarily think that it's crucial for him to start nursery immediately (at least not this year) Maybe next year, or at least the term or two before he would enter reception.

I know there are a few nurseries in our area---most seem more like "daycare" to me. He spent a year and a half in daycare (from 7 months until a year and a half) when I was still working as a teacher in the States...not that he remembers. Since I'm not working at the moment, we're not really in a financial position to spend that amount of money on private nursery programs (until he's eligible for Early Years provision...if that even is available by then...)

I get the sense that the first year of reception (he'll be 4.5 when he begins that) should provide him with the opportunity to get used to a school culture. I'm a teacher myself and I know that even the kiddos that have spent loads of time in preschool programs and daycare, all have a few transitional issues at the beginning of a school year.

At the moment, we go to various playgroups and events at the library. As a former teacher, I'm always tuned into the teachable moments of everyday life.  I am trying to give him a type of education even if it isn't in a formal setting. For now, at least.

the beast is 2.5. we've got a primary school in mind here in our village that we'd really like to get her into, but they don't start until reception year.

i've been researching nurseries in our area online, mainly via ofsted reports, but none of them really seem decent.

how absolutely necessary do you feel that nursery school is? i feel like she's got a really good start on things so far just through the time i spend working with her--she's counting to 50, knows her ABCs, can spell her name, identify the continents, name the months of the year and days of the week, knows her colours and has a great vocabulary. she socialises well with other kids as she spends a good deal of time with her cousins.

not really sure what to do. i don't want to send her off to some substandard place for a session of glorified babysitting, but i don't want her missing out on things, either.

I work at a nursery that got an Outstanding Ofsted rating, and it's one of the best in our area, and we don't even talk about all of the things you already do with your child. Which makes me sad.

Before I left for the UK, I worked at a pre-school in the States run by the YMCA, and they covered everything you mentioned in their lesson plans. And the children there started at 2.5! I came here thinking the systems were the same, sadly, they're not. But, it's what I love to do, what I went to school for in the States.

I don't have any kids myself, so, this is just in my humble opinion only. In your case, I wouldn't think that you would have to send your child to nursery. Your daughter already seems to be on the right path-in fact, ahead of the children I care for now. The ultimate choice is yours, of course.