Private nursery to primary school

[Bartmama]

My son will turn 4 in the August time and then start primary school in the September. I have no issues with that however - my son goes to private nursery and will do until he starts primary. Myself and my partner work and can’t accommodate the half days that the nursery schools offer (he currently does 8-5 at private nursery).

My question is : will he struggle to get into a decent primary school based on the fact he’s attended a private nursery. The nursery he goes to is the best in the area but I’m worried it’ll be more difficult for him to get into reception because of this.

@caughtinanet I don't think the ones in my area would be on the council website. The one at the primary school we use is in a building in the school grounds, is basically school hours but isn't run by the school or council. It's a charity I think. It's still classed as the school nursery as it's on the school site.

There are no school nurseries in my town. There are council run nurseries but they aren’t connected to particular schools.

Anyway as others have said, it makes no difference. Open days for schools will be this term (assuming they’re running this year) so have a look at the schools’ websites.

Perfect! Thanks for answering. People have told me he will struggle to get into a primary school because he’s been to a private nursery

@Bartmama

Perfect! Thanks for answering. People have told me he will struggle to get into a primary school because he’s been to a private nursery

That’s rubbish

Most primary schools admission criteria are along the lines of:
Looked after children, children of returning crown servants (diplomats, bfpo etc), distance, catchment, siblings, parishioners (for church schools), medical need, children of school staff (recently introduced by DD’s primary) in various orders of priority.

Never the nursery/daycare they previously attended. That’s ridiculous, preschool education isn’t even compulsory!!

@Bartmama

Perfect! Thanks for answering. People have told me he will struggle to get into a primary school because he’s been to a private nursery

Those people are completely wrong.

You may struggle to get a place at your choice of state secondary school if your child attends private primary
But that certainly doesn't apply for nursery.

Nurseries are nurseries. Some are preschools attached to schools but not related in terms of getting a place as far as I know.

A school nursery is just a nursery that is attached to a school whereas my son goes to a private nursery which isn’t ran by the council/independent nursery that has no affiliation to a school! They’re open longer hours than a school nursery, maybe it’s my wording

Thank you! I thought so but then started to worry I’d struggle to get my little one into a primary school

Scrambled brain - he is 4 in 2 years time, he only turned 2 literally 3 weeks ago 😂

Yes I’m in England. I thought that was the case but when you listen to other peoples input you begin to worry! Thanks

@Bartmama - just make sure you get your application in on time! The applications window for September entry, opens 1 September the previous year, and usually closes mid January of 4 months later (but check when it closes).

So if your son’s age will be 4 on 1 Sept 2022, you need to apply this autumn.

I’m assuming the term of school nursery is a local thing to me!

Perfect - thanks for the reassurance ha!

@BuffaloHigh

There are no school nurseries in my town. There are council run nurseries but they aren’t connected to particular schools.

Anyway as others have said, it makes no difference. Open days for schools will be this term (assuming they’re running this year) so have a look at the schools’ websites.

Maybe you live near me @BuffaloHigh or maybe more likely is that not everywhere has the same types of pre school provision

I don't know why some find that hard to accept

Maybe you live near me @BuffaloHigh or maybe more likely is that not everywhere has the same types of pre school provision

Nursery provision varies wildly across the country - in Tower Hamlets for example practically all children attend a school nursery (or so I was told by the council) whereas our town in Essex has very few schools with nursery classes.

I am not sure "school nurseries" would appear on a council web site although they might, they would be on the school web site - they are often treated as just another class in the school, which is why there is the confusion about admissions.

40 years ago I went to the nursery attached to a school on the strict understanding that I was not allowed to attend the school itself (something to do with how catchment worked then, we did not live on the estate) - my mum just sent me to school on the first day anyway and by the time the council had worked it out they just went "oh well, stay then". You couldn't do that now! I remember sitting in the hall as everyone's name was called for their class - and mine wasn't.

As a childminder all my mindees stay full time until starting reception. Never have a problem getting a place and teachers always remark on how well prepared, socialised and independent they are.