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Original poster

Parents who call it a "Private Nursery"

105 replies

BeepyBoo · 22/07/2021 20:54

Something I've noticed that is mildly amusing - I don't understand why some parents feel the need to mention that their kid goes to a "Private Nursery".

I understand that some nurseries may be more council funded and have lower fees perhaps, but, around here Mums use the term "Private Nursery" to point out that their kid goes to the Montessori Nursery in the village, rather than the (also full fee paying) alternative nursery in the village that just has slightly shorter hours but considered not as posh. The latter has no special council funding, and the usual funded hours can be used at both.

I'm guessing this is just a snobby, show-off thing that make is sound posh (a bit like using the term "the Private School") rather than using the actual name of the nursery. Usually "The Private Nursery" is said in a rather smug way too. I don't really get what a Private Nursery is?? Aren't they all if you are paying the usual high fees? Fees all similar for nurseries round here.

OP posts:
AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 22/07/2021 21:51

@BeepyBoo

They are both privately run businesses. OK, I don't think people are reading my later posts.
You're not reading what everyone else is telling you, the issue is with the people in your village not the terminology. Everywhere else it's a normal description.
Owlshouse · 22/07/2021 21:54

Its not snobby where I come from. It just distinguishes between the school nursery and the nursery that is independent. People will say they have to use the 'private' nursery as it stays open throughout the holidays and the opening hours are longer, the 'school' nursery closes during non-term time and has very restrictive opening hours for parents who aren't in a position to reduce hours or be a SAHM/D.

CaptainMyCaptain · 22/07/2021 21:55

@MySecretHistory

That is the technical term

Private (day nurseries) , Voluntary (charity pre school settings ) and Independent (indie schools)

PVI.

Also school nurseries which are State Maintained but only take 3 yrs plus and don't cover the hours for childcare.

If it is run as a business it is, by definition, Private.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Childcare & nursery Families
Ohpulltheotherone · 22/07/2021 21:57

Sorry to piss on your chips but private nursery is just one that isn’t attached to a school and / or the one that takes them from baby upwards.

My kids are at “private” nursery but will attend the school nursery for a year before they start reception.

I’ve never heard anyone use private as a reference to posh / more expensive / Montessori

Perhaps there are some who do do this but meh, if you’re not friends with them then it has no affect on your life does it.

You do you and they do them

Movin4wards · 22/07/2021 21:58

@2tired2bewitty

Are they just distinguishing it from a school nursery?
In my case absolutely yes.

I'm the furthest thing from posh and have no desire to be.

BlackeyedSusan · 22/07/2021 21:59

Just thought they were distinguishing from school nurseries

elliejjtiny · 22/07/2021 22:03

I always thought private nursery was the type open 8-6ish, took babies as well as preschoolers and usually provided food. Preschool/school nursery would take children from 2 or 3, similar hours to schools and if staying all day the children bring a packed lunch.

HocusPocuss · 22/07/2021 22:04

Private nurseries usually have longer hours and accept younger ages than school ones. My dc all went to a private nursery but it accepted funded hours so we didn’t pay. It meant they could start at 2 years old. The school nurseries only take kids from 3 years and only have 3 hour sessions. In the private nursery, they could stay all day if that’s what we wanted. That’s the only reason people differentiate in my area.

Horehound · 22/07/2021 22:05

@elliejjtiny

I always thought private nursery was the type open 8-6ish, took babies as well as preschoolers and usually provided food. Preschool/school nursery would take children from 2 or 3, similar hours to schools and if staying all day the children bring a packed lunch.
Yep my DS goes in 8-5.30 but they are open until 6 and get breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus two snacks whilst there.
EllaSingsCole · 22/07/2021 22:06

It just means a daycare nursery for people who work full time where I am, with longer hours (say 7.30an-6.30pm) and all year round (rather than school nurseries, which round here are half day and term time only). I’ve never taken it to be snobby.

Blueroses99 · 22/07/2021 22:11

@Owlshouse

Its not snobby where I come from. It just distinguishes between the school nursery and the nursery that is independent. People will say they have to use the 'private' nursery as it stays open throughout the holidays and the opening hours are longer, the 'school' nursery closes during non-term time and has very restrictive opening hours for parents who aren't in a position to reduce hours or be a SAHM/D.
This is what I came on to say. My DD goes to both a school nursery in the mornings and a private nursery in the afternoons. I’ve had to call it a private nursery to explain why latest pick up is at 6.30pm and it’s open through the school holidays.
moofolk · 22/07/2021 22:12

If there are two nurseries in your village is it not just a way of saying which one?

Auntycorruption · 22/07/2021 22:15

Private nursery means non-council nursery. It mainly means it runs 51 weeks a year 8-6ish, not just in term time 9-3ish. It's relevant for working parents to distinguish between the 2.

pastafeend · 22/07/2021 22:21

@2tired2bewitty

Are they just distinguishing it from a school nursery?

This is how i have known it. Private nursery and school nursery.

MySecretHistory · 22/07/2021 22:26

There used to be 2 kinds of funded 3/4 year old provision

PVI. Private-businesses. Voluntary- committee run- usually the old playgroup type setting and Independent - in independent schools

Maintained settings- those run by schools

Academies and free school have blurred it bit they are legally independent settings but most operate in the same way as maintained settings.

Hours and opening weeks are not actually part of the definition.

KurtWilde · 22/07/2021 22:27

Mine went to a private nursery. To me it just meant not a school nursery. Nothing snobby about it 🤷🏻‍♀️

MySecretHistory · 22/07/2021 22:29

@HocusPocuss

Private nurseries usually have longer hours and accept younger ages than school ones. My dc all went to a private nursery but it accepted funded hours so we didn’t pay. It meant they could start at 2 years old. The school nurseries only take kids from 3 years and only have 3 hour sessions. In the private nursery, they could stay all day if that’s what we wanted. That’s the only reason people differentiate in my area.
School and academy nurseries can also do that

Babies- loss leaders- you lose money
2/3s year olds break even
3/4 year olds make money

Schools and academies are largely not allowed to loose money (it is a bit more complicated than that)

NothingEverChangesButTheShoes · 22/07/2021 22:29

It could be snobbery, it could be differentiation, I suppose it it how they say it considering OP has said they say it in a smug way.

I don't think anyone ever asked where mine went. It was small, private and had a uniform, but I never put them in it. I'm not into badging kids up to prop up my own ego.

The funniest thing I saw regarding this was a post on Facebook where the kid was starting her preschool year at a prestigious girl's school. I had to laugh at how made sure to capture the poor kid's blazer badge and oversized logo emblazoned rucksack. Poor lamb, all dressed up

ScrumptiousBears · 22/07/2021 22:30

Ive used this term. My DD went to a "private nursery" from 6 months old and they ran from 730am to 6pm. That's totally different to the pre school they then went to when they were old enough.

If you think it's snobby I think you maybe just looking for issues.

BackforGood · 22/07/2021 22:32

Thanks MySecretHistory
I know the ratio is to do with the qualification of the staff member, but, as a generalisation PVIs don't pay teacher salaries, so as a generalisation it is the maintained nurseries that have the 1:13 ratios.
There are exceptions to most rules of course, but that was just to answer the OP's point Smile

Loathe with a passion the phrase ‘indie schools’
Me too Banana Smile

Hellocatshome · 22/07/2021 22:32

Where I live Private Nursery just indicates one run by a company that you have to pay for (although some hours can still be funded) as opposed to school nursery class that they go to age 3 where they were school uniform etc.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 22/07/2021 22:34

Where I live, private nursery was/is used to distinguish between daycare you pay for, usually while you're at work, from c. 7 months to school age. This is to distinguish from the school nursery, which here is part time (either mornings or afternoon but not both) for those who will start school the following academic year. No snobbery or one upmanship, it's just to distinguish. Some parents pay for the private daycare nursery and for someone to drop off/ pick up at school nursery so that they don't miss out (I didn't but most did)

Ethelswith · 22/07/2021 22:38

Private nursery just means not attached to a state school.

They often have longer hours, so it's more suitable for working parents.

Millionnewnames · 22/07/2021 22:39

Surely the nursery is the one that’s open similar hours to school and is there to provide preschool education only.
Private nursery is an 8-6 jobby for kids who’s parents work full time.
I’ve used both and that’s what it means to me.

PrettyBlunt · 22/07/2021 23:04

To me in my area we have a nursery and a play school.

The nursery is open 7am-6:30pm where as the play school is 9-3 (they do a before and after school thing if needed). Although the play school is called a nursery I always call it a play school not sure why. The play school wear uniform not compulsory but they all wear it.

About 10 minutes away we do have a private nursery which is in a private school and their uniforms are so cute with their little straw hats.