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Original poster

When to start nursery school

16 replies

Uwila · 05/10/2004 17:01

At what age did your kids enter nusery school? When did you sign them up?

I'm new to the school system over here. My toddler is 18 months and I've just been told by a couple of friends thatI better get on the ball!

OP posts:
LIZS · 05/10/2004 17:09

I visited a few Preschools and Playgroups in the area when ds was 18 months. He then started at just over 2.5. Some had longer waiting lists than others.

blossomhill · 05/10/2004 17:10

About 2 and half is the norm! At least it is where I live!

Tommy · 05/10/2004 17:13

2y 9m here or the term after they are 3 for state nursery schools. Start looking around age 2 I reckon (depending on popularity)

hana · 05/10/2004 17:41

It does depend on the place as to what age they'll take them from.
Some pre-schools attatched to primary schools will take them after 3, some won't. Private nurseries usually after 2.
DD goes to a preschool attatched to local primary, she's just turned 3 and goes 3 mornings a week. I started looking and put her name down at a few places when she was about 18 m as well. YOu're not too late, just about right!

coppertop · 05/10/2004 18:27

Ds1's pre-school took them from 2yrs 6mths but he started 3 months later. There was no waiting list so he had a trial morning there while I filled in the forms and then he started the next day.

80sMum · 05/10/2004 19:26

Go and have a look at all your local nursery schools now, even if you don't intend sending your ds/dd for a year or so. All the best nurseries are over-subscibed and have waiting lists so you need to get booked in early on to be sure of a place for your little one.

zebra · 05/10/2004 20:24

When do you want your child to start, Uwila? Don't start at 2y+6 months, just because everyone else is, if it isn't what you want to do. DD is 3yo and probably won't go to preschool untl she's 4yo. I'd like her to go sooner, but she's not really ready.

Original poster
Uwila · 05/10/2004 21:11

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm not really bothered about when she starts to be honest. I suppoe whever the nursery I choose normally takes them. I have to call on Friday (as I don't like to call from work and I'm off on Friday), but I thinkI'd like her to go to the nursery which is connected to the primary school I hope she will go to (Archdeacon Cambridge in Twickenham). If she gets in, she can start whenever they want her. She's a pretty sociable toddler. So I'm not worried about her being ready.

OP posts:
Original poster
Uwila · 05/10/2004 21:15

Also, I think social skills are very valuable. So, the sooner she can head off to nursery the better.

Does anyone know how nursery schools attached to COE church aided schools work? Doe they charge £? Are they typically hard to get into?

Don't suppose anyone has any kids at Archdeacon Cambridge?

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 05/10/2004 21:18

Uwila, state schools normally take them into nursery the school year (1 sep to 31 aug) they turn 4. If you have a child who turns 4 very early in the year and you feel they may benefit from schooling before then, you can send them to a pre-school normally from around 2.5 yrs but you pay for that until the term after they turn 3 when you start getting some sort of government grant.

Your friends probably mean you need to get your child's name down at the pre-schools (the ones you pay) as the places go very quickly. The actual schools won't need his/her name down until the year before they are due to start (though you can put their name down earlier if you wish).

foxinsocks · 05/10/2004 21:20

Uwila, I know people with their children there. The schools site on richmond borough website has loads of info about the schools etc.

foxinsocks · 05/10/2004 21:29

I think (and you must check this with the school because I'm not 100%) that you have to be regular worshippers at Holy Trinity to stand a reasonable chance of getting in. But the people I know (who were people at dd's old pre-school so I don't see them anymore) got in at reception level but I have a feeling that archdeacon has quite stringent entrance requirements for the nursery as well. Better to check - I know it is a very popular school. You don't pay for the pre-school as it is attached to the school but you would only be able to go there from the school year your child turns 4.

foxinsocks · 05/10/2004 21:37

when you phone the school, ask them what their entrance criteria are and if you don't go to Holy Trinity (hope I have that name right - it's the one on the green I think!) but your child is christened, ask them what the chances are of getting in (i.e. ask how many got in last year that weren't regular churchgoers) - just so that you have a realistic idea of whether you will get a place.

will stop posting now

Original poster
Uwila · 05/10/2004 21:56

We actually attended Holy Trinity last Sunday. And, I relly liked it. It seems every other church I've tried has a very small congregation, and not many kids. But, HT had loads of kids... and nice litte creche for the monsters so I can enjoy the service.

So, off to Holy Trinity we shall go.

OP posts:
Original poster
Uwila · 05/10/2004 21:59

Oh, and according to the person I talked to at the London Diocese, they start at 3, not 4. But, I'll check that on Sunday.

Glad to know I haven't left this for too late.

DD's birthday is in March so I guess I would hope she could start the August when she is 3... a while away still.

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 06/10/2004 08:22

yes Uwila, it would be the September after she has turned 3 (i.e. the school year that she would turn 4) so if she is 3 in March 2006, she'll start at the nursery of the school in September 2006.

hope all goes well!

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