Scottish Nursery Places - HELP!

[expatinscotland]

DD1 is 3 in JUNE of this year. I'm an expat and very, very confused about how nursery school works here. I phoned the council and got some gal who barely spoke English and basically wasted my time. She just kept going ON and ON about how 'parents get disappointed b/c they don't get the nursery they want.' Well, I'm definitely going to get any place at all wasting my time w/you, lady, b/c you know FA about the system!

Anyone know if I just go along to the school I'd like her to attend? Is she eligible for a place if she turns 3 in June?

Or should I just not bother w/this council load of bunk and just put her in the nursery attached to my work, where a) people speak English b) there's an outside chance of getting a place?

expat, just go along to the School and fill out an application (if you phone beforehand they will make an appointment and give you a little tour), you can do it any time, although obviously the sooner the better. The nursery should be able to advise you of your chances of getting a place for your DD, if you are in the School's catchment area it will be unlikely to have any problems getting a place but outwith your catchment area you may have more problems.

On the otherhand though you are perfectly entitled to put her into the nursery attached to your work if that is what you would prefer, if you only work a couple of days a week you can put her in work nursery for those days and the School nursery for the other days.

Your DD will start in the first term after she turns three, so with a June birthday that would be August.

All the best!

Think she would get in from Aug after she is 3. Our local school has the forms at the school now to be picked up. Definitely go for nursery attached to school, especially for the pre school year so she gets used to the buildings and children who will be with her in P1. Good luck!

Am I right in thinking you are in Edinburgh expat? If so there is a lot of info on local pre-schools, where they are, etc here
Good Luck

THANKS, Katie! Yep, we're in Edinburgh. My husband is Scots, but he's new to all this school thing as well, this being our first child.

I phoned the Gaelic Primary Unit at Tollcross, however, and they were most helpful! They even understood English!

My dd was 3 in November and mostly goes to a private nursery as DH and I both work full time, but now also goes to a local playgroup (for 2.5 yrs plus, ie you don't stay) a couple of morning sessions, though it isn't an official pre-school and thus not directly funded. She could take up a pre-school place from now - the term after she was 3 - but it only runs for 2.5hr sessions and nothing in school hols - not great for FT working!! Still got a while before we need to worry about school hols thankfully.

Good luck with finding your dd a place that works for you too. She can go anywhere int eh city - doesn't have to be the local school.