Did you move DC from private school nursery into state primary?

[Fuchzia]

We went to see an absolutely lovely small private school today. DS (2 1/2) loved it and it is obvious they have masses of equipment and expertise. We have realised that it wouldn't work out much more expensive then our childminder and would be better in many ways such as preparing him for a classroom setting.

The issue I'm concerned about is that we or he might love it so much that we wouldn't move him into state school at four. I've never considered private education before and you can't throw a stone round here without hitting an outstanding primary school so it doesn't make sense to consider it really. Would just be interested in hearing what other have done in this situation. Did you make to move back to state at four or stay?

[CoucouCache]

We moved our DD from private nursery to ofsted outstanding state primary and found she was slightly behind her peers who had attended state nurseries and children centres.

[Fuchzia]

Thanks, I guess at this age I'm not so much worried about the academic side of things more how settled he is and the emotional side of things. How he might react to moving from a small class size to a big that sort of thing.

[dixiechick1975]

DD's school has a nursery attached.

Some do move on rather than into the school. We see girl every week - she moved to a village school so similar small class size and all worked out well.

I think you should ask how many leave after nursery stage. If all go on into the school it may be harder.

Some also move after reception year as you still get 15 hours funding until end of term they turn 5 plus schools often accept salary sacrifice vouchers until they are 5. Risky if local state schools are oversubscribed though - you may not get a yr 1 place where you want.

DD's private school nursery is cheaper than the daycare one she went to (wish i'd been more clued up at the time!) - plus nursery children can use the aftercare/holiday care.

[baffledmum]

Not entirely sure what your point is tbh. Where I live there are no state nurseries so you have to go private for nursery and then make a choice anyway. Most people go from the private nurseries into the state schools and it's absolutely not an issue.

Class size is, IMHO, an issue but it will depend on the child. There were 15 in the private nursery and that increased to 30 in YR but several of them had gone from the nursery anyway.

[purplehouse]

Yes, lots of people do. A friend of mine did, all fine.

[suebfg]

Yes, in our area, there are no state nurseries so most children move into state school and a few go to private school. DS goes to private school as we think it is still better than the local 'outstanding' state schools but that's not always the case - depends on the schools and I'd never rely on the Ofsted ratings. I've been to some 'Outstanding rated' schools and nurseries which I'd never consider sending my child to.

[Eachpeachpearwherestheplum]

We did. DC moved to state primary this term.
TBH I have found it very hard as I know what DC would be getting had we stayed. :(
DC has had an amazing start though, is confident, has had plenty of small group and 1:1 so has developed good S&L skills etc.

[blueberryboybait]

We moved our DD from a lovely private nursery/school combo to a state nursery, now at state school, for the last half term of last academic year because her private nursery/school closed down due to financial issues. We discovered an entirely new side to our DD, she blossomed in the new environment, more freedom and less structured educational activities really rounded her, she loved having more people around (was in a class of 8 only 2 girls). She has now started at the state primary and we couldn't be happier, she has settled well and is happier than I could ever have imagined.

[mummytime]

My middle child went to a private nursery/pre-prep followed by State Infants. The only issue was the head of the nursery often trying to make you feel nervous about your decision to move them to State. They all adapted fine, the increase in class size was pretty similar to other nurseries and pre-schools. The advantage was they were a little advanced. The disadvantage was some pressure to go private and they were not necessarily as ready to spot and help kids with problems.

[Elibean]

Both my dds went to a private nursery/pre-school before starting state primary school. For dd2 it was an easy move - she already felt at home at her big sister's school from doing pick-up with me.

For dd1, it was a tiny bit more of an adjustment as she knew no one, but the school was very good at induction process and she settled very well - and has been happy there ever since. She wasn't behind anyone at all, but nor was she ahead - and tbh all that evens out enormously in the first few years of primary anyway.

I never even thought twice about it

[Elibean]

Oh - having read other posts - I did get a few raised eyebrows at the nursery when we told them which school dd1 was going to. I rather enjoyed that though

No raised eyebrows by the time we got to dd2 - my gut feeling was proved right, and the school is very well thought of now.

[MommyVan]

Yes, DS1 has just started state school after attending private school nursery. Not unusual, lots of his peers did too, although there were many using nursery as a feeder for the private school. Tis the norm here, the private schools all have nurseries, and there is a mix of take-up for the school and those who "leave" for state school.

[YouBrokeMySmoulder]

Baffledmum, the OP is referring to the nursery section of a private school not a normal private nursery iyswim. It's common here to move around a lot at reception stage here as well OP, ime more girls than boys change to state. The only disadvantage is the money you will have spent on uniform and the friends you may have made but you can easily do it all again.

[Startailoforangeandgold]

Very normal round here as local village has two private schools and a very good state primary.

Lots of people use the private schools nurseries younger starting age, longer hours and flexible academic levels rather than the limited age and hours preschool.

Then the village school followed by both private and good state comp. after that.

It's rather nice because everyone knows each other and the DCs all rub along at scouts and guides and things.

[Farewelltoarms]

I think the worry can be that the private nursery/school can lure you into thinking you're letting your child down if you don't continue there. Our local private nursery which feeds into a school does this by getting the last year of nursery to wear the same uniform as big school, join the big school for assemblies etc. So lots of parents who found that nursery private was very affordable then find themselves paying 100k for primary school because the continuity appeals to them.
On the other hand, all the children that I know (of which there are many) who've moved from private nursery to state reception have been really happy. In fact, many of them have been happier in the less intense atmosphere that they've found in the state school.