When do 3yr olds go to nursery?

[tethersend]

I thought it was the term after they start 3; DD turns 3 in November, so I assumed a January start...

However, one nursery I tried to put her name down for was adamant that she would not be able to start until the following September. They do have a January intake, but said she would not be eligible for it.

Is it just them or will all nurseries tell me this?

I think it might be just them. The funding is definitely there from the term after they turn 3.

maybe they don't have spaces? round here, although the funding is theoretically available the places often aren't.

No, I asked about the spaces- they said they have spaces now but are not accepting any new kids until Sept

I mean, don't get me wrong- the nursery was a bit shit and I'd much rather send DD somewhere else, but just wondered if this system was peculiar to them or not?

Round here most council-run nurseries only do a September intake because all the children leave in July (one intake to school) so that's when they have spaces.

Howevere, if they have spaces in Jan they will take children who turned 3 in autumn term, like yr DD; they did this in DS2's year at his lovely nursery, as his year was very small.