Does/has anyone sent their child to private/voluntary playgroup for one half of the day and state nursery for the other half? (long)

[slotnicki]

My dd is 3.75 years old and attends a private nursery school in the mornings. This is the first year that the school that she attends, has actively marketed itself in order to retain children who would normally have gone on to attend half-day sessions at local state schools. We were and (continue to be) so impressed with the calibre of staff and the high staff ratios, that we decided to keep her there.

However some of the children of her age group have now moved out of the area, whilst others will be moving on to the nursery of a local school which admits children born in the second half of the year in January. I have worked out that she will be the only girl left in her age group - all the others are a lot younger. She is quite 'girly' and plays differently from the boys there.

My daughter will be going into the reception of a state primary in September. I have thought about moving her to the nearest nursery class, but having seen it felt that it was somewhat under-resourced. A compromise would be for her to carry on attending her current nursery in the mornings and to get an afternoon place at the state school in the afternoon. I do know that there are places there, as it has been in difficulties and is not popular.

My daughter is full of energy, so she wouldn't get tired and would love the social contact. I also know (as I used to run the nursery voucher scheme where I work) that this is allowed, as long as I forego my nursery voucher at the private school. I've known a few people who have done this over the years - do any of you?

[paolosgirl]

We weren't able to, as I worked and it would have been a complete nightmare getting someone to pick them up from private nursery and taking them to state nursery. Also, the cost of losing the state funding for the private nursery would have been a major factor, and also both state nurseries here feed to the excellent primary schools, so they are always oversubscribed.
I would have loved to do what you're planning though, because most of the kids round here went to the state nursery, and subsequently when ds went to school, he only knew one other person in his class, and took a while to settle. It sounds like you're going down the right road, definitely. Hope it works out well for you

[JanH]

Yes, I did it with DS1 and DS2 - not every day though. They both went to the same lovely playgroup in the mornings from 2½, and got afternoon places at state nursery school from 3½; they were both happy to keep going to playgroup as well, I think they started with 2 mornings a week and went on to 3. (DS1 is 16 now and DS2 is 11 so my memory is a bit hazy!)

DS1 is a mid-July birthday so he started school at just past 4; like your DD he was a bundle of energy so would probably have been OK anyway, but having done 3 full days each week during the summer term must have helped him adjust to full-time school. Your plan sounds good to me!

[misdee]

dd1 nursery has a private nursery attached. they offer wrap around care. quite a few of the children in dd1 nursery class attend the private centre as well. dd2 goes to the private centre, and her new nursery also offers wrap around care in partner ship with the state nursery. both these nurseries share ground space.

[Gobbledigoose]

I know a few people who do this slotnicki.

[joashiningstar]

My DS (now 15) went to private nursery in the mornings and state nursery in the afternoons. I was at college and so the private nursery was paid for. He loved it. He is, and always has been positive about attending school - and I'm convinved that this is because he got so much from being 'full-time' from such an early age. The teachers in the state nursery were also very positive about him attending the private nursery as they felt it to be a very good one.

I would definately consider doing this again with GS.

[firestorm]

our local state nurseries do not allow you to do this unfortunately, they expect their nursery to be the only form of pre-schooling your child has. because of this i decided to keep my dd at her private nursery as i didnt feel that 5 2 1/2 hour sessions a week would be stimulating enough for her.

[Tinker]

Hey? What's it to do with them??? I used state nursery in mornings and childminder used to collect at finish and look after her for rest of day.

[mumeeee]

I work in a private nusery and we have a child who does this at the moment.