Help! Answer a simple question from a simple individual...

[SaltResistantSlug]

If the primary school you want to send your child to has a nursery attached to it, do you have to send your child to that nursery, or could you send them to another nursery (i.e. one in closer proximity to home)?

Thanks!

you can send them where-ever you want them to go

Check the school entry criteria; it is vanishingly rare for children in a nursery to have any priority for admission to the main school. So you can send your DC where you like.

AFAIK you can choose your nursery, but check with the school.

A lot of parents seem to be under that assumption in my area, but it's simply not true.

The advantages of using the school nursery are cheaper fees, usually, one pick up/drop off with school-age DCs, and hopefully easier transition when starting school.

You can send them to wherever you like, as nursery admissions are complely separate from the school admissions. Also, having a place at the school nursery doesn't have any impact on gaining a place at the school in reception. You could also use your 15 hours (from the term after they turn 3) for a childminder, a day nursery place or some playgroups/preschools take them. For example, my DS used his at the children's centre day nursery, and then when we relocated he used it to do 3 x 5 hour morning sessions at a very good day nursery close by.

There is no link between where you send them to Nursery (if you do at all) and Primary admissions. The Local Authority have clear admissions policies which they have to follow, your chances of a place won't be affected by them going to the Nursery class at the school.

*completely

You can choose my son didn't go to the one in his school