Help! About to move, I need a preschool for both children (ds starts school in Sept, dd the following year)...

[redhappy]

I don't drive, I don't know where I'm going to be living (will need to stay with family initially).

Ds is being assessed for autism so I need somewhere that's going to being able to meet his needs, plus I need school and preschool close together because I'm not driving yet and can't assume I will be by September.

Where do I start with this? Are there any websites with all this info on?

Obviously I'm going to be making lots of calls to schools etc, looking in yellow pages.

But if anyone knows any shortcuts to the info, or good sources of anecdotal info I'd be really grateful

Why not put the name of the town here, or in a thread title. Also contact the LEA, they usually have an early years team who might be able to give you advice, especially for a suitable placement for your DS (although I know another thing they do is help pre-schools cater for children with SN).
Finally there is OFSTED, as all early years venues have to be ofsteded. CMs also provide the early year curriculum, and some are becoming quite "tweenie ish" child care.

Thanks. I haven't put the name as it is a sensitive situation. I am planning to leave dp but I haven't told im this yet. He knows I come on here, not sure if he knows my username. I don't know, just trying to be careful really.

Good idea about lea. I had planned to ring them for a list, hadn't considered they might be able to actually advise.

As mummytime has said, you need to speak to the LEA where you will be living. They will be able to give you advice about suitable schools/preschools which may have places so you can try and make sure you are living in close proximity (if you have that choice). I must say that in my experience LEA staff tend to be extremely helpful as long as you don't go in screaming about your "rights".

Your not being able to drive is not something the LEA needs to take into consideration unless there is a disability involved, so the harsh truth is that it is up to you to manage the situation if, for whatever reason, it is not possible to learn. You say your DS is being assessed for autism but it can take a long time to get a statement which MAY give you priority in terms of choice. It sounds like you are facing a very tough time with a lot of change, good luck.