To take DD out of private school?

[WimpleOfTheBallet]

DD is in year 2 of a tiny prep...she has been there since she went to the nursery there at three and a half. She is happy and well adjusted..but it bothers DH and I that there are only three other girls in her year and other years are similar in the school.

When we made the choice to go private we weren't expectig to have any more DC but dD2 arrived anyway and is now 2. DH got made redundaant just befoe Christmas and we're living on my earnings as a freelancer. TIGHT!

We had some financial bother last year and were going to pull DD out but the lovely head practically MADE us stay and put us on half fees..I told her at the time I was worried about affording it for DD2 and she said "There will be help for her too if it is needed"

My main bother is that when it comes to secondary, we wont be able to afford private secondary with her mates...unless she gets a scolarship.

So last week I applied for a place in a lovely village schol about 4 miles from where we live now. And today got a letter saying there IS a place and we have to take in within 4 weeks. I visited this school last year and was very impressed.

The illage school feeds into an outstanding secondary...and the area is gorgeous so DH feels that we could move there...we rent...we're still renting because for the last four years there has been a question of which country we would settle in...UK or Oz were DH is from. We have now decided to stick with the UK>

We have savings for buying a house and don't want to eat into that for school fees!

reading this back there seems no question that we move her... just feel nervous..how do I break it to DD who is a creature of habit?

She's going to freak out I think! Will she settle ok in year 2? Help!

DOes our plan seem ok to you?

Well the school DD is going to is described as "Average" in size..the prep she is at atm has a ridiculously small amount of pupils SO this was a fear...

Genevieve, I think that applies to all parents of children at village schools. parents children at our 200+ school have found it frightfully hard this year.

Wimple, village schools can be amazing. In our area, they lead to fab sec schools with far better results than the local popular private school.

I am looking forward to it goingmad...I think DD is very lucky as the school is in a lovely setting...right in rolling hills with a small wood backing onto the play area...they have lessons there a lot in summer.

The community is very nice too...excited actually!

Just go for it. It sounds like a no-brainer.

I have a similar situation, except Ds is only in the nursery of prep school and I am already beginning to realise that the expense may lead us into a dire financial situation.

With no support network ( i.e. grandparents near by) and husband that works away all week it seems that working full time is not a viable option and jobs that encompass school hours are few and far between.

i, too have looked at the local village school and feel that there is a strong possibility that I may move DS there if he gets a place.He would start Reception with the other children.

However he really likes the school he has started and it is the scariest thing to do to move your child from a happy place. This thread has really helped me to get my thoughts into perspective.

I am willing to give the state system a chance. I have to give it a chance in order to give us the possibility of sending him private in later years should it be the only option.
Change is inevitable. But it is still scary.
When I read your story the answer is obvious.

I think in your case you should do it right now...lots of kids moved from DDs school for reception at state schools...your Ds won't even know he difference at his age.

My DD on the other hand has now completed almost three years in the one school....and at 6 and a half she is very attached to her friends.

I heard that we may be offered a full bursary...if this happens we wont be moving her as paying only for her little sister will be ok...but I advise you to take your son out now if it looks to be a stretch...having him begin reception will not make a dent in his social development at all...he won't really be affected.

I would move. Am in a similar dilemma. Am about to be made redundant and may be giving notice to ds's school. Am currently trying to work out what to do. No bursary available.

Ds has been there same length of times as your dd and is very attached. Fortunately he sees his school mates outside school and will continue even if he left (rugby, cricket, playdates, I have well established parent friendships). However my priority is not school fees when my income is being cut to about a tenth!

If we get a full bursaary Mollie I don't see how I could move...she is doing so well there...and a full bursary is worth thousands...so it would be terrible to turn the chance down. DD 2 can go if we only have one set of fees to manage.

It won't be easy but I would not be able to turn it down.

I think that if they're moved before the end of year 3 then it's usually ok..but to be honest I see kids come and go older than that and they settle.

You'd need to ensure the bursary isn't subject to annual means testing or else confident of maintaining it if it is.

It is Mollie. We're happy with that.