Confused about nursery options - can anyone explain...?!

[kate00]

Hello UK mums!

My family and I moved to the UK three months ago with our son (aged 3.5) and daughter (21 months). We would like both of them to go (part-time) to some kind of nursery/preschool/creche/playgroup/thing. But, we are quite confused by the different options available (and their different names). The early childhood education system, and the primary school system, are quite different here than they are in our home country of New Zealand. The more I read, the more confused I get.

So: can anyone please suggest to me what options we should be looking at? This is our wish list (though I've no idea if what we are looking for exists...!)

• For our three year old, we would like him to go to something 3 times a week. For our 21 month old, 2 times. So, part time rather than full time care.

• We would like them to attend for short days (e.g. 9am - 3pm) rather than the longer style hours that some day nurseries seem to have.

• Ideally, we would like to settle our three year old in to a nursery attached to a school, to make that transition easier when it comes. So, that is a nursery school, right? Is that the same as a preschool?

• But we will still need care in school holidays (as my partner and I will both be working part-time).

• Ideally, it would be great if our 21 month old could go to the same place as our 3.5 year old (for ease of dropping off/picking up), though it seems that most nurseries attached to schools don't take ages below 3 (is that right?)

• We would like an environment that is child-centred, nurturing, and supportive of children's individuality; we are not overly concerned with when our children hit various milestones (reading etc.) at this age.

• Low cost would be a bonus! I think our 3.5 year old will qualify for some free hours....? Are some types of education free at his age and some paid for?

• We would like our 3.5 year old to start reception/school as late as possible. In NZ, children don't start school until they turn 5 at the earliest (and even then, the education system is more focussed on learning through play). So, 4 seems really young to us to start school. Am I right in thinking legally they don't need to start till 5, but that in practice, most children start by 4.5? What would be the consequences of starting later than that?

I would be so very grateful for your advice. I've been trying to research the various options on www.direct.gov.uk etc, but feel like I'm just going round in circles...

Thanks so much!
Kate

I am looking at nursery options at the moment, and am finding the ofsted website really useful. It lists all the nurseries in my area, and details their particulars, plus gives the latest inspection report.

I have made appointments at local nurseries to have a look round, and am surprised that some of them have waiting lists of up to 10 months (!!)

Also, our local council has a department specifically set up to help find appropriate childcare.

Plus, I've asked everyone I've met with older children which nurseries they go to, and why they chose X over Y.

I am sure you will find something eventually. Good luck with your search.

Ok, I'll try and help. If I get things wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me

In the term after they are 3, children are entitled to 12.5 (shortly about to rise to 15) hours of free nursery education. The funding is called the Nursery Education Grant (NEG) This is generally organised as 5 x 2.5 hour sessions ie. 5 mornings or 5 afternoons. Athough some nurseries will allow you to do a mix of whole days and half days.

Local Education Authority (LEA) Nurseries which are attached to schools generally only take children either from the term after they are 3 (sometimes called Rising 4), or in some nurseries, the year before they are due to start school (sometimes called Rising 5).

Some private nurseries also take the NEG funding. Some of these private nurseries provide full day care which is usually 8.00am - 6.00pm. However, you can usually just pay for the hours you choose, so you could do shorter days.

Many full day care nurseries cater for a wider age range which would mean that both your children could be at the same nursery.

If you are looking for a child centred approach, you could try looking for a nursery which follows the Reggio Emilia or Montessori approach. Some of the Highscope style nurseries are also very good.

LEA nurseries do not provide nursery care during the holidays.

From the sounds of things, you may be better off looking for a private nursery which will be open all year round, takes Nursery education grant and offers part time places.

Re school: In most areas of England, children go into the Reception class (sometimes called Foundation 2)the September after they are 4 which means that for children with birthdays in August, they are just 4 when they start school. However, you're right in thinking that it's not statutory to send your child to school until the term after they are 5 (or possibly the September after they are 5 - my mind's gone blank!!).

However, if you choose not to send your child to school the term after they are 4, and opt instead to send them the term after they are 5, if they are summer children, it will mean them completely missing the first year of school, and going straight into year 1. In my opinion, this is not advisable. You would be better off asking the school for a long part time settling in period so that your son still has some time with his class.

I think this is probably the longest post I've ever written. I hope some of it is useful!

I'm a nursery and reception teacher by the way.

Thanks to you both for taking the time to answer my post!

So, I now understand about the different kinds of nurseries (private/state, attached to a school/not). But what is a preschool? Is that something different again, or just another name for nursery?

The Ofsted site is useful. Thanks.
Kate