I don't want to get into the whole 'nursery debate', but I do have a question...

[brapbrapbrap]

I'm just looking into nurseries for when my LO turns 3. I've got a choice between one attached to a local school, where he'll most likely end up for reception, or a local fee-paying school which I love, (they do Forest School, which is sooo him). I want him to go to the latter whilst I can get it funded, but there's absolutely no way I can afford the £9000 fees once he leaves nursery. So he'll then have to go to a local state school. WIBU to have him change settings to start reception? Would it really be detrimental to start at a new place and possibly leave friends behind? How important are friends at 4??

It'll be fine. It actually means they have old nursery friends to catch up with but also new school friends. Don't worry about it.

Lots of working parents don't have a choice as pre-schools don't provide the hours needed. My two had to manage at a private nursery then start school with strangers just like most of their friends. They don't seem too damaged by it.

Also I'm sure you won't be the only one in that position - likely some of his nursery friends will start the new school with him!

You can actually still get funding when they're four so the fees will be reduced. After this point some schools will offer a discount. Even if he doesn't end up there at least he will get the better option for one year.

I wouldn't worry too much about the friends issue if you switch. My son started school with some children he'd been at nursery with but within a week he'd made new friends and the "old" ones barely registered with him.

I'd do it. Dd went to school nursery at the same place she started p1 but none of her friends were in her class and her two closest friends now she didn't know at all before starting school.

Ds went to a different nursery from the school he went to and knew one boy who also made the move but again, his friends were mainly all 'new'

It'll be fine and you may even find other children in the class doing the same.
I did similar with my twins and lots of the children in their class attended a different nursery to the school one.

My eldest went to a nursery where nobody from his school attends now. Out of area, it was closer to my work. Dc has settled wonderfully and the report I've had means I've had no concerns about what will happen with baby when it's his turn.
Go for what you think is the best fit for your child. Nursery is so important imo, mine loved forest school too, never seen more excited and learning so well as when covered in the waterproof overalls and digging for bugs

I am toying with doing this for dd. For convenience in terms of hours more than anything else. I was worried, then I reminded myself that ds went to traditional nursery (childcare not school-style) and then started reception. It’s not so different.

I would choose the one where he will have continuity of friendships.

Children don't really have friends at pre school age. Just other children they play alongside.

I have 1 DC who went to a nursery and then moved to a separate school. And 1 DC who went to the school nursery and then onto the school.

The DC that went to school nursery did find it marginally easier to settle in to school, however by the time about 4 weeks had gone by, I'm not sure there was any difference at all!

It’s absolutely fine OP. He will make friends quickly in reception and you never know there might be children there from the private nursery.

I did exactly that with mine. It was fine. He's six now and doesn't remember anyone he was at nursery with although he had some good friends at the time.

The school my kids go to didn't have a nursery or pre school when they were little. They went to a local one, then started school no problem.