When should child start at school - nursery or reception?

[seasmussealife1]

Local school and offer after-school care (I don't need morning).

Would you send your toddler to state nursery or keep at private nursery?

Thanks

I would say whatever is convenient for you!

They’re not really starting school if they go to a nursery that’s in a school - it’s just a different nursery to the private one (presumably with funded hours?) that they were in before.

They might do different things day to day but they’ll basically be following the same early years “curriculum” and guidance.

But to strictly answer your question, mine stayed in the private nursery as they were settled, plus there wasn’t a nursery attached to the schools I wanted to apply for for reception.

I would say if it’s attached to the school that they may end up in, that can have benefits. Of course you still have to apply the same as everyone else though.

At my old school, nursery would be included in assembly for example, it’s a good way to get used to being in school.

Nurseries attached to schools are usually term time only where as private nurseries are all year round. If you work all year round then you probably want to stick to private.

Yeah so it would be 25 weeks of holiday I would have to ring cover fit

Nursey is much cheaper than private

I think private nursery for first child as more hours covered, school nursery for second children as you have to take time off in school hols anyway

I would keep them at private nursery until reception. The only people I know who used school nurseries were part time workers or on maternity leave at the time their elder child attended. It doesn't work for most, due to the shorter days and long holidays.

That was part of what I meant by convenient! I was just saying I don’t think either is better for the child as such.

Which is going to be a problem although out school?

Yes it's a problem throughout them being at school but it's much easier to manage when they are older and can attend holiday clubs and wrap-around care (lots here don't take until they are 5 due to ratios). Plus staying at the private nursery until they start is one less year of trying to negotiate all the holidays.

I think it depends on your needs

My son goes to a school nursery and he struggled a lot settling in, lots of tears for many weeks. He loves it now and I am really glad we have gone through the 'settling in' period already and his transition to reception will hopefully be quite easy as he knows the school, other kids and teachers.

However I am a sahm, so dont have to worry about the reduced hours a school nursery provides