Progressive nurseries/receptions in Scotland that are pro-immunisation?

[Ealasaid]

Hello, I've been trying to find a progressive nursery and/or reception in either East or more eastern West Lothian (we are moving into Scotland but haven't settled on an area yet), but it seems all the outdoor-based/technology eschewing ones tend to align themselves more along the Steiner school line of being less pro-jab than I'd like. I've seen schools get great reviews but not be upfront about their rates (either declining to collect the information on the basis of student privacy or insisting that sharing even the percentage of vaccinated students would be a violation of privacy). I hate to keep my kids out of school but we have immuno-compromised family members that I don't want to jeopardise by having the kids go to schools with rates that would not be considered effective for herd immunity. Any tips on where to be looking that still takes kids outside and keeps them off iPads but also displays common sense in this regard?

[FannyFifer]

You just decide where you are moving to then register child at local council run nursery, they are often linked with a school.

[Ealasaid]

But nursery/reception isn’t compulsory or always linked to state schools (often are independent), so I’m able to choose an area based on what nurseries would be the best fit for our family.

[LillithsFamiliar]

Have you checked for a forest school / nursery? Their ethos is about being outdoors but doesn't seem to be tied to a wider worldview (like Steiner). The families I know whose DC attend forest school/nursery are all vaccinated.
There is also a Scotsnet section on MN. You could try posting there too.

[Ealasaid]

That is really heartening, I’ve been avoiding Forest Schools because I thought they’d be similarly anti-vax to Steiner, but I’m thrilled to hear otherwise. I’ll try posting in that board and giving the Forest Schools another look, thanks so much!

[Groovee]

But how will they know if the child has been vaccinated? I know in the nurseries I work in that we don't ask and only know if the parents say "I'm picking up early as we're off for the preschool boosters?"

[LillithsFamiliar]

Obviously my information is only anecdotal but having visited the local Steiner school and a forest school nursery, they had very different atmospheres and environments. tbh most nurseries we looked at had the DCs playing outside a lot and no electronics so you may not have to limit yourself to a forest school nursery.

[LillithsFamiliar]

Groovee cross-post. YY I was wondering how nursery would know too. I don't think it's standard to ask.
But there are statistics available for pre-school immunisation uptake rates by council area, that OP could research, and then she could discount settings that would likely buck that trend because of their ethos; their level of deprivation, etc.

[Middledistancerunner]

Gosh I don’t know of any nursery’s that use iPads. Interactive white boards yes, but I can’t imagine a state nursery with a budget for iPads.

OP as important as nursery is, if you’re going to move to an area for your children’s schooling, perhaps consider what primary school you would access to and work from there.
They say it’s the middle classes that are avoiding vaccinating their children, so you might want to avoid middle class areas.

[Ealasaid]

I hope you’re right about the ipads, one of the nurseries we were looking in not even one of the more “affluent” areas we were considering had a photo of students sitting down at a tablet to play a game, so it was hard to tell how standard those are.

I appreciate the advice about selecting by primary/even secondary schools and working backwards, but we are expecting to have to wait a year or two before we can buy a home and it’s entirely probable we won’t be buying in the same catchment we originally find ourselves in, so we are searching by nurseries first since we have the time to save and research and the kids will be switching primaries anyway.

[Middledistancerunner]

That’s a bit of an unusual attitude you have there OP, most people try to select a nursery where the kids stay together to go up to primary, given the change to primary is so great the parents try to minimise the amount of it.
Of course, for some people that’s not possible as the attached nursery doesn’t have the hours to allow the parent to work, but those that can use school nurseries tend to.

If all the kids are gathered around one iPad to play a game it’s likely to be being used as a learning tool, rather than a babysitter. And given the way three year olds play, a heavily monitored one.

Perhaps you’d be most comfortable with a Montessori nursery? Very child led, no electronics but not as weird as Steiner. Don’t know if they vaccinate though?

[MamaFlintstone]

I don’t know any nurseries locally that use iPads/electronics or don’t take them outside At DD’s nursery they play outside in all weathers and she goes out on a trip of some sort once a week (she goes 3 days). The only screens used in the rooms are the kindles that the staff use to take photos and record observations. Nowhere I looked at was remotely like what you seem to think most normal nurseries are like.

[Ealasaid]

@Middledistancerunner It's just that we don't know where we will end up. What we do know is that there will be a year or two of renting a house out of necessity (I have lived outside of the UK for over a decade and need to build my credit for a mortgage) and I don't want to bank on us happening to be able to buy a home in the same area where we'll start out renting as it seems not out of the realm of possibility that a) we may end up preferring a different area, or b) we won't be able to buy a home in that area due to scarcity, etc. Therefore, it makes the most sense for us to focus on the nursery level for the time being with the understanding that we'll very likely have to move the kids to a new school catchment at some point during primary anyway.

I've looked at Montessori before but when I've spoken to them I had the same issue with them being cagey and defensive about their vaccination rates which didn't sit well with me. Perhaps it was the one school I looked at (and I'm certainly willing to give it another shot as I like the pedagogy) but it did put me off at the time.

[LillithsFamiliar]

Were they cagey or did they just not have the information? As a PP said, nurseries don't necessarily record vaccination rates and with the GDPR updates, they probably wouldn't have permission to share it with other parents even if they did.
The research on immunisation uptake rates is available from the NHS.
Honestly if it's immediate family that are seriously immuno-suppressed, I'm unsure any nursery will be able to give you the level of reassurance that you need. If it's extended family, then the regional rates might reassure you. There are definitely regions where take-up rates meet herd immunity levels.

[Parker231]

I’m not aware of nurseries asking parents whether their DC’s have been vaccinated and if they did, GDPR would probably prevent the data being released.

[wonkylegs]

We're not in Scotland so can't give personal recommendations but I think you need to give some regular nurseries more credit. Both my boys went to normal day nurseries, DS1 prior to iPads (11) and DS2 is now at one where they have an iPad (in each classroom)
It's used as an additional aid to activities, look things up and mainly to record (take photos, etc) rather than a plonk then down with it. It's actually used with the kids very little.
Both went to different nurseries but I think we picked well and although they were 'normal' day nurseries they did/do an awfully good job. For example DS2s nursery; The kids spend loads and loads of time outside every day , come rain or shine. They have imaginative play, (the other week they created a beach with a rowing boat, 'surf boards' and shell collecting, the week before it was a builders yard & they tied that up with a walk to see a real building site and builders) they grow plants and vegetables, which they then cook with (blackberry pie last week), they have an outdoor 'stage' for performances and a huge blackboard wall, they have dens, and building materials, water play and an awesome fairy garden made by one of the staff,
Inside they have creative, messy play, books and sensory room, dressing up and loads of different toys and games (currently he's obsessed with magnets and marble runs)
They are a fab inclusive nursery - I've helped out on trips and I knew I'd picked well when I saw how good they were with a severely disabled girl in DSs class, they tried so hard to enable her to have the same opportunities as the others and as such the kids really treat her as one of the class but also with empathy and care - which they have clearly learnt by example.
What I'm trying to say is perhaps just look for a good nursery rather than a label.
With regards to vaccines- you'll never get info on this as it's considered a data protection issue and it's not a requirement in this country but I understand your concern as I am immunocompromised (thanks to 20yrs of treatment) . TBH over the years I think I've realised there is little I can do about it with regards to others but I speak to nursery/school/clubs etc and ask that they let me know ASAP if anything is going around (CP, scarlet fever, HF&M) and immunise my kids (including CP - mine are immunised on the NHS due to my status but I still had to request it) so far with an 11 & a 3yo we've brought nothing home in that period from nursery bar normal coughs & colds and I'm always told before I come in so I can make arrangements for someone else to pick up if necessary.
I picked up TB from a work trip though 🙄 so no matter how much you do it's really hard to avoid things even when you know to be careful.

[LillithsFamiliar]

Parker I think one of our nurseries asked if vaccinations were up-to-date. It was just a tick box on a form.

[Aunaturalmama]

All you have to ask is “do you require vaccinations” is yes then you’re good? If they say no, well.... good luck getting a copy of each students medical information. 😂

[OtraCosaMariposa]

There's a lovely Montessori nursery in Killearn which is between Glasgow and Stirling. Super wee village, good community and lots going on.

No idea about their vaccination policy though.

[MsPavlichenko]

There is no reception year in Scotland. Primary school starts at P1 and attendance is compulsory.

[Ash39]

The uptake for vaccinations in Scotland is generally good. I wouldn't be overly concerned, although due to privacy and data protection I don't think you'd ever be able to see the figures for an individual nursery.
Do remember though that bugs and viruses are rife in nurseries regardless and your child will pick up illnesses regularly regardless. But should help build up immunity.
iPads? I wouldn't be overly concerned either. Your children will face devices in the real world/primary school, so a bit of familiarity isn't a bad thing.
I very icy doubt they will be used too much

[Mistresssiggi]

You sound quite far up your own arse to be honest, don't know if you know how you come across, not with the vaccination stuff but do you honestly think "ordinary" parents are happy to send dc to nurseries that use iPads to babysit and don't have regular outdoor play?
Nurseries attached to primary schools are, in my experience of several, better than some of the private ones. My dc came on leaps and bounds at nursery with well trained class offering a genuinely educational experience. I don't think being anti-vax is a common Scottish thing to be honest.

[Ealasaid]

Sounds like I’ve touched a nerve. If it doesn’t apply to you personally, why so offended?

[0lga]

Nurseries don’t collect unnecessary health information on children and what they do collect they have to keep confidential.

[AHintOfStyle]

Scotland doesn't have reception year. Nursery is not compulsory but Primary 1 is.

[Mistressiggi]

OP you just sounded very ignorant and I thought I would try to help before you move here and get off to a bad start with the locals.