Preschool attached to private schools

[happlaud]

Are these worth if ? If you plan to send your child there for reception ? Do they prepare your child better for reception than a day nursery ?

They require uniform and very strict pick up and drop off times, rather than the slightly more flexible day nurseries that aren't attached to a school.

DC1 went to a prep school at reception and she attended a day nursery as we hadn't decided on our prep school options yet (and also it was further away from home). Academically she settled fine, although I think her academic prep would have been more targeted at the specific school's curriculum if she'd gone to their preschool. The reception class had 65% coming from their preschool so I think she would have settled socially a bit better too. The prep preschool curriculum included ballet, French and sports which continues with the same staff through the school, so there would have been better continuity (although she did do ballet and sports at her day nursery).

The advantage of the day nursery was that it was closer to home, it was open 50 weeks over the year, and open 7am-6pm (although DC1 only attended 9am-4.30pm). I expect there are some differences with staff/child ratios too. If you really need the childcare I'd stick to the day nursery for now. Many families who use our preschool pay for a nanny as well, as the school day & holidays don't cover enough.

Personally we are planning to send DC2 to the school preschool rather than a day nursery, as we don't need the childcare. The nursery uniform is a track suit, which is comfy enough. And I am stuck with the pick up times for DC1 anyway.