So how does the Scottish pre-school system work then?

[TwoIfBySanta]

Bit of a jumbled up rant so forgive me...

Maternal dementia must have done for me as it all seems as clear as mud and as most of my friends either work (so use childminder/private nurseries) or haven't come across a problem I am stuck!

The story so far: received a letter last Jan saying as dst were 3 in Jan 2005 they would be eligible for a place at pre-school so choose 3 etc. Which I duly did, changed my mind in which was the favourite this was confirmed by them but then nothing more was heard until a letter came this morning.

Turns out they may be eligible but damned if they are actually going to get in as all 3 schools (of which only one is actually top-rated) are full! Why do they bother if it is going to be like this? If I knew they would be guaranteed a place next August then I'd leave it as I am not quite ready to give them up quite yet

As it is I feel they are missing out socially and what happens if they can't get a school place locally? We can't afford even the local playgroup as paying twice is just beyond our means.

Sorry folks it is just that I am feeling like I am letting my boys down and don't know what to do next. It is almost like if you aren't getting benefits the local authority expect you to pay out regardless if you are a low income family. Pupil placement are as vague as that guy on Little Britain with their "maybes aye, maybes no" to every question.

Arrrrgggggghhhhhhh!

I would really appreciate other mums (especially Scottish who have been through this system) telling me what happens or what to do. Cheers, I am off to have a jolly big plate of ice-cream now!

im not entirely sure but i was led to believe that all children are entitled to a place at a nursery paid by the govt from age 2 yrs 10 mths, they are guaranteed a place from age 4. dont know anything else. we live in a wee village with only 1 primary school so there is no choice, and the nursery is part of the school

this prob isnt much help sorry

Hmmm. I haven't been through this myself as my two were at a private nursery anyway, and just got their places subsidised when they turned 3 (I'm in Scotland too). However, as far as I understand it, loads of private nurseries and playgroups are in partnership with the council, meaning that you can get them to effectively pay the whole whack. Have you checked with the local playgroup to see if that would apply to them? The problem with private nurseries is that you might have to pay extra for hours you don't really want, whereas playgroups are usually only 3 hours. I may be out-of-date though, my younger child is in P2 now.

Hope the ice-cream was nice!

Playgroup spaces are usually free from age 3 too, although you'll probably be asked - as you will at nursery - to make a snack fund donation. BUT you'll have to get your skates on now to find a local playgroup cos their grant submissions will be going in soon for next term -and if there's no grant applied for you may have to stump up £2.50 each per day, depending on where you live.
Phone the local council to get the numbers of local playgroups. The down-side with these is that you'll probably have to do a LOT more rota duties and fund raising, which is less of an issue with the nurseries attached to schools.
In our area the majority of the kids go down the playgroup route until age 4, depending on when their birthdays fall. (Often because if there are any places available at nursery they're only in the afternoon.).
Our local playgroup and school-attached nursery are only available for 2.5 hrs/day, the former starting at 9.15am and the latter at 9.00am.
HTH

p.s. Forgot to add that the kids can usually go to playgroup (if they're potty trained)for anything from one to five mornings a week, but it's usually a definite five mornings or afternoons for school-attached nurseries depending on where you live. You'll probably find it easier to get them into the school nurseries once they're 4 because first priority usually goes to older kids in the local area. Playgroups usually take the kids to visit local nurseries just before the summer, but you'll have to arrange that yourself if you don't get the twins into a playgroup.

The local playgroup (only one) is always full with a huge waiting list. I suppose this is the problem when dst's birthday falling in December, do you think they would be in line for a nursery place come August then?

I would gladly wait. This town just has no facilities and they are planning to build more and more houses!

And Tamum the ice-cream was lovely! Terry's Chocolate Orange flavour!