Please enlighten me about applications for surestart nurseries. Is it possible to get an august baby in?

[yesway]

I have just tried to put my son's name down for two surestart nurseries to start when he is 3. However, I've been told I can't register his name until Feb when he is 2 1/2 and then he will go to the bottom of the (vast) waiting list. When I suggested that that would mean that only autumn born children would have a chance of getting a place I didn't get a straight answer from either nursery.

Has anyone managed to get a summer baby into a surestart nursery?

Yes, but she was already in the baby room. Other friends I know were asked to put their children down between September and March, for the 3 year old places it went on distance and circumstances rather than where they were on the waiting list.You should be fine if you are local.

I live in Camden and it seems their policy is much as I feared.

I found this= online - the relevant bit being:

"The proposed change will not increase summer born children?s access to early education and it is not clear that it will lead to improved outcomes for this group. They will have more time in reception but the less time in nursery. As well as having less time in nursery they will be up to a year younger than Autumn-born children when they start which is a significant difference at this age and can lead to low self esteem and feelings of failure when the child is not able to keep up with their much older classmates.

? Currently schools can admit children at the start of their free nursery entitlement, the term after their 3 rd birthday as outlined in the ?Starting Schools in Camden? Booklet. Moving to one point of entry {for reception} will impact on the current way of working and on the quality in nursery classes."

They may well take other things into account too - e.g. distance and income - in both cases we're going to be way down the waiting list.

To be honest it's the principle that enrages me not my particular situation.
I

Interesting. I'm a teacher myself, and it is true, summer born children are at a disadvantage academically in school (my daughter is July born so I take great interest in this).I'm puzzled as to why Camden would further disadvantage these children. Anyway, a good teacher will support the needs of those younger children, it's our job! But I feel enraged for you as what you want is just for your son to start nursery.