Government nursery or private one?

[Booklover]

I am from a different country and still quite confused by the systemn here. I have been told that private nurseries are more expensive than state nurseries (could not believe the rates when I saw them) but that nursery teachers in government ones are more experienced as they are usually older and get paid more. As I want to send ds to nursery next summer I would really appreciate your comments! Thanks

How old is DS ?

Don't think you can generalise about staffing tbh. How old is you little one ? State nursery spaces are n't that easy to come by but there is a scheme to subsidise kids after their 3rd brthday in nurseries for 5 2 1/2 hour sessions a week during school term time. details here This means it may cover some fees entirely (at a playgroup or state nursery for example) or will get you a reduction in costs at a private nursery, preschool, playgroup or childminder. You really need to be looking now in case there are waiting lists and you may find some of the more popular ones are already full for next year.

The state nurseries in my area are all attached to schools. They take 3 - 4 year-olds and have a teacher plus one assistant. Private nurseries usually have a manager who is qualified specifically in Early Years at NVQ level 3 or above and are bound by government set ratios of staff:children (1:8 at age 3). The state nurseries have shorter sessions (approx 2 hours 45mins) and are term-time only. HTH