School vs private nursery (if hours aren't a consideration)

[Reitin]

I am wondering if people preferred school or private nurseries for their children and why. We have one SAHP so the term-time hours/school holidays thing is not a consideration. We just want to send DS to benefit him developmentally. He turns 3 in November so we are eligible for 15 hours in January.

As far as waiting lists, we are on several and we are likely to be able to choose. I've visited some school nurseries and will visit the private option but I just want to hear from other parents too.

TBH I instinctively preferred the idea of school nurseries but I was perhaps being a bit snobby. I've just assumed that school nurseries with qualified teachers would be the better option. On reflection, I can't quite explain why.

DS is in the process of waiting for an autism assessment and I'm starting to wonder if the smaller ratios in a private nursery may benefit him. He speaks and communicates well but struggles with sensory issues, transitions between activities and some social skills.

Thank you for any insights you can give!

Well fine, but parents should be aware of this when choosing a setting. I see dozens of posts each week complaining how expensive nurseries are, if you aren't prepared to stand up for yourselves then suck it up.

Charming.

Nurseries are not given enough funding per hour from the government, and yet the number of free hours and the restrictions on additional payment/minimum paid hours increase all the time, as if the funding per hour is sufficient. Which will lead to more closures and more private nurseries opting out of government funding altogether.

I'm trying to.help the parent! I dont need a lecture on funded hours, I'm a childminder and manage to stick to the rules which, if I want to accept funding (which is optional, settings dont have to) then i have an agreement with the LA aboit what i can and cant charge for. If it doesnt work for them, the answer is to change their funding model, not break the rules.

As I said, me pointing out that charging parents for hours they dont want or need as a condition of accepting funding is not allowed. I'm not the bad guy here.

@SheilaFentiman Do you know what's funny about this conversation?
A few months ago, I was you, sticking up for nurseries having to charge for things which broke the rules. Another poster got really angry and asked me why I would do that. Why wasn't i cross that i was changing my policies to stick to the rules yet was sticking up for settings who were quite happy not to do the same. Shouldn't we all be doing the right thing?

So i thought about and decided that yes I was miffed that I have had to change my whole business model and yet others have just carried on as before. All the while parents and the media are complaining and I get lumped in to the demographic that is ripping parents off.

Thanks for clarifying.

As a CM, would you take a 3 year old school hours, term time only?

ETA I also think CMs should get a fairer level of funding per hour!

I would ask to speak to the SENCO at all the options (do private nurseries have those?). But I'm.still slightly bitter that the nursery i thought was brilliant ignored my DDs obvious additional needs, told me her only problem was an over anxious mother... for us to be called in within a week of her starting reception as they were worried.

Unfortunately not all settings are equal with SEN.

Yes I would. I do charge for food, or parents can send a packed lunch.

DD1 went to a private nursery until reception and DD2 went to a school nursery from age 3 (albeit at a private school). We paid for both, although there was a discount with 15 hours funding.

The private nursery had a Montessori approach which we loved and really promoted her independent learning. They covered phonics and had structured circle time, and had external specialists come in to teach ballet, Spanish, PE and yoga. The food was excellent, organic and included a cooked breakfast, lunch and tea. They had mats and a specific room for naps and DD1 continued napping until she left at age 4 (we liked this as it meant she could spend more awake time with DH after work, but other families discouraged a nap so they could have more child-free time). She did 3 shorter days (9am-4.30pm) and it was nice having the full year and not having a long gap over the summer (they only closed for 2 weeks over Christmas), and as a sahm I liked having 2 full weekdays to be able to go swimming, gymnastics class, music class and trips out on quieter weekdays. They were relaxed about drop off and pick up times, and taking time out for holidays (but we still paid for those weeks). We had very detailed daily updates regarding food, naps, activities. The private nursery was open from 7am-7pm if needed, which was useful when I had DD2 by elcs as we just scheduled it in the morning, dropped DD1 at nursery and DH could stay the day with me in hospital before picking up DD1. The class was quite big (about 20) although they had a small staff/child ratio, and sometimes they'd merge with the other preschool class which got busy and noisy.

DD2's school nursery has specialists teaching PE, ballet, music and French as it's a private school but most state schools won't offer that. It's definitely more curriculum-focused although with fun hands-on activities. The class is small with 10 students and 2 staff (1 qualified teacher).
Attendance had to be 5 mornings so she was in nursery every weekday, and there was the expectation that she will attend unless ill (although I think some parents do book some holidays in term time, but we don't as eldest is in school anyway). The food is good quality but not as nice as the private nursery. She will continue in the same school and it's lovely being part of the school community with her big sister, she goes to assemblies and they had a sibling photo done. As a sahm, I find the morning session quite short for getting things done, especially for booking appointments or activities that I need to travel to. And it's definitely harder work to have them all through the school holidays.

Everyone's experience is going to be different, and a lot will be specific to your local nursery and school nurseries. I'd visit all of them locally and ask detailed questions, and don't just focus on the nearest ones, they vary so much in quality that its worth a bit of a journey to have a better experience.

Both will follow the EYFS so in regards to preschool provision it will be a similar learning experience. You could potentially have more staff in a nursery room and some private nurseries will also have a qualified teacher - we do. A private nursery may be more flexible about nappies and toilet training.

Ultimately, I don’t think there is a huge difference but the vibe and atmosphere and staff will help you choose the right fit for your child.

I used to work in a school nursery and it was brilliant. A lot depends on the teacher and school, but my daughter started Jan last year after an autumn birthday and is doing well. They don’t teach phonics there, but listening skills, comprehension, vocabulary, mathematical skills etc. Children are school ready, yet have access to wonderful indoor and outdoor resources, and activities that are planned and changed frequently for their curiosity.