Preschools in N20 area

[MammyT]

I am relatively new to this area and don't know anyone with older children.

Parents in other areas tell me to get my child's name down in a pre-school by 18 mths but this seems v. premature to me. What is the process for applying for preschool places in Barnet?

Does anyone know of decent preschools in the N20 or N12 areas? I've been recommended Laurel Way and also Lavendale Montessori but know nothing about either.

Thanks!!

My son has just started at Laurel Way (in N12). It's a lovely, homely little nursery with an 'Outstanding' Ofsted report, and it's fairly cheap compared to other nurseries, but the hours they offer are very short (2 and a hallf hrs per day, either a morning or afternoon session). They cater for five days a week or part-time, but it depends on what space they have at the time as to how far they can accomodate you. They also have a limited amount of 9am-3pm 'full' days avilable but these are only offered to children already attending the nursery, as and when they arise. I moved into the area a month ago, phoned them up and they had a place straight away. Maybe it was just luck, I don't know (my son is 2 yrs 9 mths, which I think is the youngest they take chiudren).

Do you want your child to attend a nursery / pre-school a.s.a.p, or when he/she is 3/4? There are different types of nursery around, for instance there are a number of private nurseries in the area - Academy 4 Kids in Friern Barnet or Primary Steps on Moss Hall in West Finchley are both supposed to be good private nurseries. They offer full or part time places, have much longer hours available (think it's 7.30am-6.30pm if you need it to be), and take children from babies up to school age. There are also state nurseries attached to schools - Moss Hall is supposed to be very good, as are some of the faith school nurseries in Whetstone and Finchley.

I would advise you to ring around, go and visit and f to ill in application forms somewhere around your child's 2nd birthday, unless you are advised otherwise by the nurseries on the phone.

Thanks LoveAngel.
I am hopefully going to Laurel Way to look around in January with a view to getting her name down for the following year. We're not too bothered about the hours to be honest and are happy to start with short mornings.

Thanks for the help!

T