Naive question about nursery places

[Polkadotpatty]

LO's SW wants us to resume pre-school/nursery in September. This means finding somewhere suitable local to me, and so far the places I've tried have fairly rudely told me I'm far too late and they're full up.

Any suggestions or ideas? Don't suppose anyone in the LA is obligated to help me are they? We are pre-Adoption Order, in case that makes any difference. LO is 3.

We've had a rough day here, so with this on top I'm feeling a bit fed up!

hi, I haven't been able to read the whole thread so this may have been said but...

all looked after children are preference and part if the education act state they have to be accepted.

Our LA has a department who supports with nursery/school places.

If your sw isn't forthcoming ask the independent reviewing officer.

Good luck

Oh shucks Polkadotpatty thanks for your kind comment! [bashful emotion].

fasparent how did you get the school to agree to hold little ones back, please can you pm me with any ideas? Thanks.

this may help - www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2009/821/contents/made

the problem wth the vast majority of nurseries bumpies is that they're private not state. There is only one (very sought after) nursery to cover the whole of our (very populated) borough.

You know your child best Polka and if you feel nursery will be beneficial, go for it.
We started dd1 at a local pre school within eight months of her being home, long time ago, not so much talked about attachment!
She really didn't settle so I took her out and waited six months. She then went back happily.

Approach LA linked schools and not privately owned ones. They should give priority admission even if 'full'

Kew, they still have to comply with the education act if they are marketed as an education establishment. Esp if they accept cc vouchers or 3yo funding.

Your SW should be more helpful

DO they really - so LAc's get priority even at private nurseries?! Thats useful to know - (not for me but others)

You should have a copy of the child's PEP and the SW should be able to guide you with it.

My dd is in the nursery class attached to a school.

At the beginning of September loads of kids were able to swap sessions / get extra sessions as there were quite a few parents who changed their minds / their work commitments changed / they just didn't turn up.

So even if you can't get her in, see if you can get her at the top of the waiting list (as she is a LAC child) and then there is a decent chance of a place coming up.

Also go and make friends with the school office and make it clear that you will take any session going. (I managed to jump a massive gym club queue by doing this!)

Thanks again all, lots I didn't know. I've got the PEP so will try and get some better back-up from understanding that.

"all looked after children are preference and part if the education act state they have to be accepted."

Unfortunately, this is not true of nursery education in England.

LAC and former LAC have priority for compulsory school education, ie reception upwards, but not for nursery. Any priority given is at the council's or the nursery's discretion.

Anecdotally, many councils seem to be adopting admissions criteria for nurseries which reflect those of schools, so I wouldn't be surprised if statutory legislation was put in place soon to ensure that LAC and former LAC have the highest priority in nursery admissions.

We were also advised that nursery may help our lo (similar age) as he is used to going and it helps his language development. We visited many nurseries and called the family information service (FIS) attached to our local area. They were able to tell us about any providers in the locality who had spaces. We were not able to get an immediate place at a state nursery as they have all been allocated but LAC status allowed us to go to the top of the waiting list and we have now been offered a place. We will judge whether he is ready when the time comes, but it is reassuring to have a place secured. Good luck