Confusion reagrding preschool

[Rciha3177]

Hello Mums,

My daughter is 2 and half now and will be 3 in december.She goes to Day care.People keep telling me have you started thinking of schools and all.

On internet there is lot of information regarding the schooling system ,etc but to be fair not clear at all.

I will appreciate if any Mum could explain me, how the reception year works, eligibility and when should i start worrying about looking for schools.

Thank you,
Rich

[Bubblysqueak]

Are you in the UK?

[Rciha3177]

Yes sorry forgot to mention - yes i am based in UK.

[aliceelizaloves]

Hi Rich, my children are pre schoolers so those with children at school probably have a better idea but I'll try and help.

Pre school is similar to nursery but is usually just the year before school (age 3-4ish) and similar to school hours. If your child goes to nursery they will probably just continue that until school but if not they can go to pre school and get 15 free hours a week.

My son is 3.5 and currently goes to pre school two mornings a week which will increase throughout the year to two days. He will be starting school in September 2020 when he is 4.5. Children start school the September after they turn 4. We have booked to look around some local schools in September and we have to apply for the schools we want to send him to by January 2020. You then find out the school you have been assigned in April.

[donkir]

I'm presuming she's in nursery due to work so you'll probably be best keeping her there until school. You can start looking next sept to apply before end jan 2021 to start reception in sept 2021.
You can not apply for a school place now for 2021 so not much point worrying about it.
My son starts school next week. He went to nursery 4 days a week due to my work and then on a fri morning from 3 went to the nursery attached to the school I wanted him to go to (although wasn't promised a place) to make friends closer to home.

[Rciha3177]

@aliceelizaloves : is it not 30 hours a week free for children over 3 years in the nursery?

@donkir : yes she is in nursery (5 days a week). If i keep her in the nursery till school, i should be able to get the free hours for her?

[Skyechasemarshalontheway]

Are you in Scotland? It is a different system from Wales, England and ireland.

[aliceelizaloves]

It's 30 hours if you both work and 15 hours if one of you cares for them at home full time.

[LIZS]

If 3 in December you won't apply in England until Jan 2021, starting Reception in September 2021. Preschool is entirely separate and won't determine school entry.

[BendingSpoons]

In England, all children get funded hours (to use at a childminder, preschool, nursery depending in your preference) from the term after their 3rd birthday. You get 15 hours a week for 38 weeks a year (or about 12 hours a week if your setting is open all year). If both parents work (a salary equivalent to at least 16 hours on minimum wage) you get 30 funded hours a week for 38 weeks (or around 24 hours if your setting is open all year).

[Rciha3177]

@Skyechasemarshalontheway : Thank you :) I am located in England.

@aliceelizaloves : yes we both work but there is condition of how much is the earning like it shoud not be beyond a certain limit to secure the 30 hours free. Anyways.. thank you :)

[donkir]

30hrs applies if you both work over 16hrs a week. You can split the funding between several providers if you wish so she could do nursery and a preschool

[BendingSpoons]

So yes she can stay where she is and get funded hours from Jan. Although do check with the nursery, it's not always that simple. She can stay until Sept 2021 if you choose.

[Newmumma83]

There is a limit on income can’t be more than £16k a year I think x

[BendingSpoons]

With the 30 hours, to qualify you must work ENOUGH hours. It is quoted as 16 hours each, but you can work less if you are paid more (so you earn at least what someone on minimum wage would earn working 16 hours).

This is different from other schemes for 2 year olds where they give places to people on low incomes.

[Rciha3177]

@BendingSpoons : Thank you, its really useful information you provided.

@LIZS : Alright , that mean she will go in the reception of Septemer 2021, so the schools do not have January intake in England?

Does that mean childern born after September 1 are usually the eldest in the class?

[BendingSpoons]

Newmumma83 I think you are thinking of 2 year funding, it's all very confusing!

[Twolittlebears]

If 3 in December you won't apply in England until Jan 2021, starting Reception in September 2021. Preschool is entirely separate and won't determine school entry.

I don't think this is quite right. Application would open September 2020 and close Jan 2021 for Reception start in September 2021 right? You apply through your council.

I started looking at open days a year before my DD applied to be ready for September. You may want to look up your local primaries and see when they're having open days in the coming months.

[BendingSpoons]

You are welcome

Yes all children start Reception in Sept. Your child will start with children born from 1st Sept 2016 to 31st Aug 2017.

[LIZS]

Yes September babies are, usually , eldest in the year. Theoretically you can start any term after the start date for Reception until the summer , although most schools will encourage a September start. Your child has to be in education the term after 5th birthday.

[BendingSpoons]

Just to say, there is a maximum salary fir the 30 funded hours, but this is £100,000 (I think if either parent earns over this).

[LIZS]

Applications may open in September but nothing is processed until after the January deadline.

[Nonnymum]

There is a limit on income can’t be more than £16k a year I think x
This isn't the case fir the 30hrs. You can warn up to around 150k and still get it. If you both work. You are eligible the term after your child turns 3. You can get more information on direct. Gov. Just do a search on childcare.
Children are eligible to start school the September after they turn 4.. Admissions are controlled by the local authority not the school. Look on your local authority website under school admissions to get more information.

[Rciha3177]

Thank you everyone for the quick and insightful information provided by all Mums :)
Have a good weekend :)

[itsaboojum]

Will you need childcare before and after school? You might also need to consider school holidays, public holidays, inset days and other closures.

In some places, the availability of this sort of care is not sufficient to cover the demand. So it’s worth identifying the schools you’re most likely to be using, then finding out what wraparound childcare services are available.

Sometimes it’s very easy and your school will have an on-site breakfast/after-school club. In other locations it’s much harder, particularly if you want any sort of choice.