Private prep what term to start?

[Questionssquestionss]

Our DD has just been accepted into a private prep and they’ve given us a choice of term to start in. She’ll be in prep and not reception - she starts reception next September (24).

The school are eager for her to join this September but I had some breaks arranged for the end of the year so was thinking of January instead.

Any advice on what worked best? Does a delay of one term really change anything at that age (3, turning 4 in December)

In a kind of similar situation here - my DD will be starting Reception in September 2024 but her Prep school offered us a place in the Pre-Prep this September. We weren't sure whether to move her from her current nursery where she has been since she was 1 but we have decided to do so to help with the transition next year and to enable her to get to know the children who will become her classmates. That being said I can't imagine the difference between starting in the September term and the January term will be much different so if you have things on and they're happy for her to start in January just do that.

So the school nursery of a private school? I’d just start in Sept and take the trips anyway, just let them know when you won’t be in of course! We did it twice during nursery, so did most of her classmates. When she moved up to pre-prep for reception we now have to ask the headmaster for permission and we’ve only done it once for a wedding.

DS is same age and starting preschool at a private. We were told that while there was a choice in terms of which term to start, all the events and activities to help parents meet each other and ‘bond’ occur between Sept-Dec. I have an elder DC in the same school (secondary) and meeting other parents was essential in arranging playdates / getting to understand the school in the early days.

Ahh this is a good point - we have a 'Stay and Play' day the day before the September term starts so imagine this will be quite important for getting to know other parents etc.

Yes, it’s the nursery class. There’s no requirement for her to attend at all so we can have as many holidays we like.. a last hoorah before we get sucked into non-term time holidays!

I’m not going to lie - saving over £4K is an incentive too. DD is currently in nursery and she can do 2 days a week there. I’m off with her the rest of the time so our nursery fees are minimal at the moment.

The school only briefly mentioned the parent events but you do raise a good point. I’ll have to mull it over a bit more I think.

They also have an orientation and assessment day that she would have to attend in July if joining in September, or November if joining in Jan