How to get a place in a nursery ?

[SophieWB]

Hello,
I will move from Paris to Cambridge next summer (August 2014) with my 3 kids. I would like to find a nursery for my youngest boy (2 years next January). Not in full time - but just few hours, 2 or 4 days per week. I would like to know if I have a chance to get a place (here in Paris, you have only 20% of chance) and how should I do ? Thank you for your help.

You will have a much better chance than that in Cambridge.

Do you know what area you are likely to be moving to yet - we can start recommending some places to call.

Thank you very much for your answer. For the moment I have no idea about the area where we will move. I think to come to Cambridge on April or May to see the houses to rent. We will move on August 1st. Do you think it will be not to late to apply for à place on July for starting on September ? And on your opinion, which area could be cool for living with 3 kids (11, 8, 2) ?

I can only speak from my experience but I got my DD into a pre school - starting September and I put her down for it in preceding July.

Have you decided on schools for your older ones yet? Or does that depend on finding a house first?

Cambridge is really family friendly - you're never far from a park so you're spoilt for choice wherever you live. It's going to depend on what family homes are available on the rental market. That will be the challenge as housing stock to both buy and rent can be limited.

I'd probably concentrate on school places for your older children . If you are looking at state school you won't be able to apply for a place until you have proof of address.

September is a good month for getting a nursery place as the oldest children move to school then. Some nurseries are really popular and have long waiting lists. Others are less busy or can hire extra staff for more children. We moved DD from one nursery to another with a month's notice and there was no problem about getting a place. We are a bit outside Cambridge though.

If you know what area you are looking at then just ring the nurseries and ask the managers what your chances are of getting a place on that kind of timescale.

I agree that school places are more difficult and you might want to aim to live somewhere with acceptable schools that have some spaces, then find a nursery.

www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/childrenandfamilies/education/admissions.htm

This is the link to the council website for school admissions.

Thank you for your answer. It is so different : here in France, it is easier to get a secondary school than a nursery. You are right, the Cambridgeshire Council is clear : we have to find a house and get an address before ask for a state school (we can't pay for an independant school as I should stop working to follow my husband - so we will have just one salary). So do you think it is possible to get an "acceptable" school if we have our address in June or July or is it too late ? My husband will work for the Sanger Institute, Hinxton. We have only one car which I will keep for driving kids. So we have to live close from the institute or near a bus line. Have you any area to suggest me and where primary and secondary schools are good ? Thank you again for your help.

There is a lot of turn over in Cambridge school you have quite a good chance of getting a place. When I moved to Cambridge a signed rental agreement was enough to apply for a place. Getting a train and then cycling could also be an option for your husband