Private primary - should we do it?

[Limpetsmum]

I have three kids under 4years. We've just looked at a private primary which is lovely and high achieving. It's regarded excellent by league tables etc. We can just about afford the costs for three kids + nanny care in the early years until all three are in school.
We do however have very good state primary schools and perhaps the biggest difference with going private is class size and tailored teaching rather than facilities. (Although the state primary we had been thinking off does seem to take advanced kids or struggling kids out of the class for smaller group teachings as well. - is this the case in all primaries? )

We're not sure if we're going to privately educate at secondary level as we have an excellent local comp. it's not as high achieving as some of the private secondaries and I'm sure lacks a lot of the facilities but i was thinking money saved in school fees could be spent on extra curricular activities and we may end up with more down to earth kids.
I was hoping that by giving a good start to our kids in private primary this will hold them well during their secondary education, and some of the traits that come with private education see them through their secondary education.
Has anyone done private primary and state secondary? Did it work out? Were your kids happy switching to state ed? We can commit to private secondary financially if needed.

And lastly, is private primary worth it? I'm just not 100% sure we're making the right decision. We won't have spare cash after fees and Childcare and will be the family with the smallest house and not going on holidays etc. Ie making sacrifices in other areas to afford private ed.
I'd be grateful to hear opinions of those who have privately educated in primary to gauge their thoughts.
It's not just finances that are holding me back - I perhaps have innate prejudices with private ed -having been state ed)

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They also offered individual music lessons during the day.
They were streamed in maths and literacy.
But of course no latin. DS started latin at 11 in yr7.
I thought lots of preps start latin at 11 for 13+ anyway.

From WordFactory's list DD's state primary school enjoyed:

Full time TAs.
French introduced early. And properly (if possible by a native speaker).
Priority placed upon music, art, drama.
Excellent facilities.
Varied extra curricular activities.
Kitchens that cook proper food

Not bad for a state school.

Just re-read your post and noticed that you said that you are not likely to go private for secondary.

If it is a financial limitation - are you sure you would not want to do it the other way around? Start at State, and if your children do well - apply for selective private secondary?

Also - remember that these decisions are not cast in stone. People move schools if they change their minds or are not happy with their decision. It happens often.

Sorry if I have missed this, but does your son actually have a place at the state primary? What have you been doing about induction days etc - if he's already settled with the state school isn't it worth trying it out?

We are in a lucky position where we have investment (property) that we bought a few years ago with a view to selling to fund private ed if we chose to. So although money will be tight now, we should have secondary covered.
My son doesn't have a place in state school - the prep school take a year earlier (from 3+ rather than 4+). He will definitely get into our chosen state as it's a faith school and we're in the cachement area.
Having read through these replies and speaking to a local teacher we are swaying towards state primary. Thank you for all your replies - it's really helped talking through my thoughts and hearing about your experiences.

Oh, well if you have a year and you have already paid a term's fees, why not let him go?

You can use the pre-school year as an extended taster session. If you decide to go state you can give a term's notice after getting the state place (I assume when you say you'll get a place as it's faith and you're in catchment that you are certain you qualify for the faith requirement, not just that you are the right religion). If you decide you like it enough, you can stay.

Is there a reason not to do that? Kids at primary schools usually come from loads of different feeder pre schools and nurseries.

I don't really want to start as I don't think we'll stop once we start. We do like the private school and I'm sure we'll grow to like it even more once we start and together with friendships made I think it'll be difficult to then go back.
With regards to the faith school, I'm fairly certain we'll get him in there in terms of meeting all requirements. Even if he doesn't, there's about 5 other outstanding primaries where we live which I'm sure will be fine as well.
Currently we're thinking that we will fund a private tutor from a young-ish age plus extra curricular activities to support state education and hope to get the best of both.