Hi everyone! I’m in a pickle and have wrecked all friends/families heads for opinions. My DD is starting school in September and I have 2 options for her.
first is a DEIS school. It’s huge, however, class sizes are small enough - I think 18 for junior & senior infants. This school is about a 5 minute walk from my house & is overall a fantastic school. A lot of kids from deprived/disadvantaged families do attend, not that this is a problem we do live in a deprived area as it’s all we could afford during housing crisis! Teachers principal etc. are fantastic tho! Only thing is, there is no after school option & no option for after school in any service nearby I have tried them all! I only need after school one day a week so I may be able to manage by begging family each week to collect my DD but I don’t handle uncertainty very well & like to be organised! I love my job and although we could afford me to give up & collect my DD from school, I really don’t want to loose my independence, however it is an option.
second school is the next village over, it’s a small country school I don’t know much about it or about the classes/teachers etc. but it looks like a nice little school. Maybe a little run down but it doesn’t receive the same funding as it’s not DEIS so I can’t really judge from that. My DD attends Creche in this area at the moment as it worked best for me with work (beside the motorway) & would be in class then with all her current friends etc. it’s a 10/12 minute drive in the mornings. There is an after school option & childcare options during the summer months at this school, and I would have her join GAA etc: in this area to ensure she meets friends. I’m just concerned about the cost of the drive each day - I do it at present & it’s no problem but for example if I lost my job, or car trouble etc. has not happened yet thank god!! But I am worried my DD would always be the ‘outsider’ as she will probably be the only child or one of few coming from our area. The same with kids nearby our house she may not be as friendly or included as she won’t be attending the same school as them.
i really need advice based on experiences as I’m clueless and want to make the best decision for me DD.
m to narrow it down, school near us is a better school but no childcare options to help me out for work I would be depending on family where something may pop up here & there.
school over the road is probably not as good as a school as less funding etc (based on no evidence just a pure guess, could be fantastic!!!!) & children would probably live close to eachother unlike my DD, however, will be in school with her current friends & also will allow me to continue to work as childcare available.
sorry for long post I appreciate everyone’s help!