nursery school decisions

I went to visit another nursery school today. I have only visited two so far, but don't really think I will be visiting much more (there one more possibility, but then that will be it). We have not really made a final decision yet, but so far will be applying at both I have visited, mainly because the first one is already full so we will be placed on a waiting list anyway. There was really not a lot of difference between the two I have visited so far, and I got a good feeling from them both. They are quite similar in terms of what they offer, but there is quite a difference in their monthly costs. Both of these are also substantially more expensive than our current place.

The main difference between the ones I am considering now and the current one is opening times. Moving him will mean adjusting my work hours, but this should not be too much of a problem. Also the one I visited today shuts for a full 4 weeks at the end of the year (I need to check on the other one as I forgot to ask how long that closing time is for).

While he is still able to stay on at the current place I feel I need to trust my gut. And my gut is telling me it is time to move. We have been very happy with the current place. Of course there were little issues, but then no place will ever be perfect, or do everything exactly the way you want it to be done. I also think they were a perfect place for the stage he has been in - baby to entering toddlerhood, but I would like a more structured environment with more focus on education from next year. The current place is new-ish, and was initially only going to take babies up to age 2, so he would have been moving next year anyway.... Only now they have started to expand (and in some ways I think they are expanding too fast...). I feel quite weird about moving him though - he has settled in so well there and has made friends and gets along with the staff. But I am sure he will settle in quite quickly at a new place also.

These decisions are so difficult, much harder than I thought they would be. Just so many things to consider. It amazes me when I talk to other moms and they are just not really aware of all this, or making any plans for their kids yet in terms of schooling etc. They just seem to take every day as it comes, while someone like me has already investigated proper schools and what we would like for him in terms of his education.

So now there are forms to be filled in and deposits to be paid. Then we wait...