when do you sign them up for nursery and school

[claire99991]

i know this is a daft question and one a mum should know the answer to but i dont - when do you sign them up to nursery and school? hollie is 15 months i dont know how to go about it or anything and worried about it.

Thanks claire xx

[cheshire]

Hi Claire,

Don't worry, I wasn't sure either. Are you thinking private nursery (to go back to work before they are 5). If so, regards the 'baby room'/ 'toddler room', you need to get booked when you can, asap ish, although they can usually accommodate, but depends on the Nursery itself etc.

Regards schools, if there is one or more you like, particularly 'out of zone' - (suggest you phone the ones you like and ask them maybe if you are within catchment - I did this). If you are not, or even if you are, I recommend getting yourself on the waiting list and this should trigger an invitation to an open day etc.

I am only talking about my area though, but hope this helps.

I can find out more for you though if you need me to, as I am supposed to know about these things for my job??!!

Hx

[gizmoracer]

Hi Claire

This is the bit I was going to put in your diary. Like hopful said if you need anymore info. let me know.

So first off you need to decide if you are going to send her to pre-school (from 2yrs 9 mths) or wait until school nursery (3yrs and something, depending on her birthday). Personally I would go for Pre-school, but be warned you will probably have to pay for it.

For Pre-school - get looking now, incase they have long lists. HV will be able to tell you where they are or look in phone book, ask at library etc. If possible go and look at them without her first and turn up unannounced. This is for 2 reasons, firstly you get a true picture of what they are like and not a 'show' and secondly its less stressful, ie. if you're having a bad day and don't feel like it you don't have to force yourself. However there are a few places that will insist on an appointment because of their policy (so don't feel paranoid if they refuse to let you in). Also by getting out there now you may find some of them have a placement for children from 2 yrs 6 mths (these are generally well sort after).

Right school nursery. To be frank forget about it for now. It is however worth getting to know the schools in your area over time to see which are the better ones (check their names on the ofsted site for most recent reports, if you need a hand on what to look for PM me). Basically you will receive a letter from your county council when it is time for you to apply. Our forms can be done online here. Just fill in your choice 1st, 2nd and 3rd and send it back asap (there will be a date to send it back by) if you are doing it by post send via recorded so you have a record of it being sent. However if you have a choice of doing it online that is better and easier, also means you can change it whenever you like before the closing date.

Hope this helps. I know there were a few of you who were unsure. If anyone has any other questions feel free to post them or PM me and I will try to help.

[claire99991]

thanks for replys must admit still a little confused. Ok so im not planning on going back to work full time was gonna look for evening part time job but work it round me and phil as we carnt afford private nursery so i guess it will be the 3 year one her birthday is 11th febuary she is 15 months old now, do i have to put her name down for that now then? I dont even know which is closest to me there is a primary school 5 min walk which on the website said had the best ofstead reports for the area but i must be in the catchment for it (litterally 5 min walk) i fancy that one for schhol not sure if they have a nursery or not carnt get hold of hv no suprise never can. So am a bit stuck on where to look for nursery and didnt want to sound stupid asking to put her name down at 15 months because i have no idea when your meant to. Wish i had asked health visitor about this before.

[cheshire]

Hi Claire, ,

All I can help you with is that my little dd had her name down at her now (she's Y2) , primary school - at 20 months. I was advised to do this early, as slightly out of catchment. But I also put her name down at the one 5 mins away at 20 months!! Then they contacted me and I had a look around both when the open days came up. Entirely possible that I did this way too early, but they did put her on the list!

Sorry can't help with Nursery thing, sure someone else might know. Let us know how it goes. Hx

[gizmoracer]

Hello again.

You don't have to be going back to work to put her in nursery, so don't worry about that.

The pre-schools tend to be a bit cheaper that the main private nurseries. Try and find out about a few. In my area the prices range from £3.50 a session (2 and half hours) right up to £12 a session. Also with her birthday being in Feb, she will be entitled to 5 free sessions a week from after the easter holiday when she turns 3. So even if you put her down to start then. You can also choose to send her just 2 days a week if you like. Joey only goes 3 days a week due to cost, she will up it to 5 days when she is free.

With regards the school nearby. You are very lucky to be so close to a good school. Find out if they have a nursery, if so you will have no problems. Wait for the letter (you've got a while yet) and put it down. So long as it is your closest school you will get in. You will then have to reapply for an actual school place the following year like before you will have no problems being so close and will be prompted by a letter. Its sounds complicated but its not that bad really.

[gizmoracer]

Sorry my post crossed with Hopfuls. If you are finding we are contradicting each other the best thing to do would be get in touch with a school and say you are new to the area and want to know how the system works where you are. This way you don't sound daft for asking them.

[cheshire]

Hi Gizmoracer & Claire,

New to this too - don't worry about posts crossing, I felt I wasn't sure eitherx
Good advice above by Gizmoracer xxx