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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you think a nursery that is part of a private school…

43 replies

Hurserynur · 09/09/2023 21:09

Is better than a general nursery? Cost is the same. Obviously the setting is much nicer at the private school but some people are telling me that private school nursery won’t be as focused on that age as a general nursery etc.

OP posts:
tt9 · 09/09/2023 21:10

depends on the nursery. the montessori nurseries are usually excellent....

yogasaurus · 09/09/2023 21:13

The ones we’ve used were excellent, and yes they are reasonably priced. DC2’s pre-school is lots cheaper than their first setting (one of the National chains)

It’s a hook… once you’re in, they hope you’ll stay in. Almost all do.

I wouldn’t bother if I had no intention of applying to the school.

Zippedydoodahday · 09/09/2023 21:22

The one my DC goes to has much better ratios than the local nurseries. For the three year olds there is a member of staff for every 3 or 4 kids (think it can be as high as 8 in other local settings).

Ours also has very low staff turnover so very experienced staff.

They also seem more focused on providing a good service than some nurseries who act like they are doing you a favour.

Original poster
Hurserynur · 09/09/2023 21:27

@Zippedydoodahday this is my gut feeling, thanks for sharing as it’s what I suspected. Sadly it’s a much further commute for us so a tricky decision to make!

OP posts:
SarahAndQuack · 09/09/2023 21:40

I would be slightly wary. It might have better staff ratios, but my worry would be that it would be focussed on academics above proper care.

UsingChangeofName · 09/09/2023 21:47

No

Mysterian · 09/09/2023 21:47

I work in one. Yes, we're part of the school but not really. We have nursery qualifications for the under 5s. The teachers don't. I would say it's like a regular private nursery, plus:
Access to the grounds.
Access to classrooms like gym, dance studio, etc.
School nurse who has been very handy for medical issues.
School support staff like their SENCO etc.

HouseHassle · 09/09/2023 21:50

Local one here has just been rated inadequate by ofsted on pretty major stuff. Local "budget" option which is a registered charity with subsidised fees is rated outstanding.

mamma65432 · 09/09/2023 21:51

I've used both and found the (ofsted outstanding) day nursery to be a much better fit for both my kids, however they did both then go onto reception in the school nursery which was fine. I think some kids well mine just weren't ready for the more structured school like approach.

floopyben · 09/09/2023 21:53

Nope, we have just switched DD out of one to a lovely smaller nursery. We are both teachers and worked at a private school previously (tho not in the uk).
Deposit was also a grand and some of the parents are awful snobs tbh.

AgnesNaismith · 09/09/2023 21:54

Don’t do it - it’s a trap

modgepodge · 09/09/2023 21:54

My daughter went to one, it was brilliant. Had PE and music lessons taught by specialists each week and got to perform in whole school assemblies etc throughout the year. It was definitely more academic focused than other nurseries though, more like reception really, so it depends if you think that would work for your child or not. It did for mine but I think some children might struggle.

As above, they’re hopeful you’ll stay after nursery so are keen to keep you happy and impress you!

It was also term time only which was a bonus for me as a teacher but wouldn’t suit many people. Also she was allowed to attend the wrap around which some schools don’t allow nursery kids to do, so you have to suck up the shorter day as well as the holidays.

ShutTheDoorBabe · 09/09/2023 21:57

Worked in both and no, I didn't find the private school one any better.

Original poster
Hurserynur · 09/09/2023 21:58

My child would only be 1 when they started if that is relevant

OP posts:
iminvestednow · 09/09/2023 22:01

It’s most unusual for a private school to take children under 2. If it’s a nursery do they have a definite connection to the infant school?

Original poster
Hurserynur · 09/09/2023 22:02

iminvestednow · 09/09/2023 22:01

It’s most unusual for a private school to take children under 2. If it’s a nursery do they have a definite connection to the infant school?

@iminvestednow yes they do. I know it’s usual but some do!

OP posts:
PuttingDownRoots · 09/09/2023 22:04

Is it term time only or year round?

All nurseries are different... I expect those in Private schools differ massively as well.

MamaD2207 · 09/09/2023 22:06

I moved my son from a normal one to one attached to a private school. Couldn’t be happier, because of the smaller classes he got to know his teacher and peers really well. They had specialist teachers for things like music, dance, forest school and French too.

Dunnoburt · 09/09/2023 22:32

Nope....Still a germ factory

Dibblydoodahdah · 09/09/2023 22:40

I moved my oldest DS to one at three years old because it was clear that he needed something a bit more structured than his day nursery (which was lovely but mainly playing outside getting dirty all day. He flourished at the private pre school, stayed on at the school until 11 when he went to a super selective state grammar. His old school now takes kids from one.

Bunny2021 · 09/09/2023 22:44

My DS has attended one since he was 1. It’s attached to a main school in the centre of a town. It’s so good. DS loves it - it’s got smaller classes, higher staff ratios, is year round and works great for us.

It’s got a huge outside space for the nursery plus access to the wider grounds. I wouldn’t send him to other local nurseries. Everyone I know from our village sends their babies there. I don’t understand the hate on this thread.

I think with any nursery it comes down to how you feel about it.

UsingChangeofName · 09/09/2023 23:39

The people saying "it has smaller classes" - are you aware that ALL Nurseries have ratios they need to abide by ?
At one, no Nursery can have more than 3dc to 1 adult.

Exactly how small are theses classes ?

modgepodge · 10/09/2023 09:33

UsingChangeofName · 09/09/2023 23:39

The people saying "it has smaller classes" - are you aware that ALL Nurseries have ratios they need to abide by ?
At one, no Nursery can have more than 3dc to 1 adult.

Exactly how small are theses classes ?

Ah but at 3 (which is how old I assumed OP’s child was before she said), if there’s a qualified teacher in the room tbe ratio can be 1:13. Whilst I think state school preschools may well go to this ratio, I doubt private schools would, as most wouldn’t even even have this ratio for KS1.

BibbleandSqwauk · 10/09/2023 09:39

@Dunnoburt so are all school settings. Are you planning to raise your children in a sterile bubble? Odd comment.
Other than that...as this thread proves there is literally no one correct answer to this, some will be better, some won't. They probably will want a full terms notice if / when you leave so just check the contract for that but it's fine so long as you know and act accordingly.

CPLawyer · 10/09/2023 09:40

UsingChangeofName · 09/09/2023 23:39

The people saying "it has smaller classes" - are you aware that ALL Nurseries have ratios they need to abide by ?
At one, no Nursery can have more than 3dc to 1 adult.

Exactly how small are theses classes ?

3 staff often means in the room but doesn't take in to account what they are actually doing. E.g might be making up meals, changing wall displays etc. nursery visits over the last few months have been an eye opener. I was so keen to send my child to nursery but after visiting quite a few locally, I've not been impressed by most even though they're deemed 'outstanding' 😔