Funding question - I doubt this is allowed but what can I do about it?

[Runoutofideas]

My dd's pre-school seems to have become very money grabbing lately and it is starting to annoy me.

All sessions from Sept are 4 hours long, making it impossible to access 15 hours free without paying for additional hours. The additional hours are charged at around £6.50 each. They have also recently demanded a £35 "registration fee", despite the fact that we paid this last year when she joined and she is simply going into her rising 4 year. They also make an additional sessional charge for snacks.

I'm sure they must be breaking the rules, however their attitude seems to be "if you don't like it, take her out". The only other local pre-school is full with a long waiting list - as is this one. They say if the council impose the regulations on them they will have to close... Is there anything I can do to force them to offer what they should, without removing my child? (She is really happy there and took ages to settle in....)

I think she knows now that plenty of people are thinking this way. They need to be a bit careful in my opinion or they are going to lose their good reputation if parents are irritated. Their word of mouth recommendations are going to drop I think - and I already know of at least one family leaving for RR instead. Ah well, only one year to go for me - guess I'll just have to put up with it.... Do you have one going to school in 2011 too?

yes my eldest will go to Elmlea hopefully in 2011 I also know other mummies considering other options.

DD2 will be there too. DD1 is there already, just finishing reception. It's a lovely school, but a bit big...

Yes it is big, that's the only downside though. I am starting to wonder now whether it would be too big. I was told at pre school that ds can sometimes be very quiet which is bizarre as he is v chatty at home. We also looked at Stoke Bishop as well, lovely school and smaller. Dh did not see any difference between that and Elmlea but Elmlea is better on paper. Decisions decisions! I was also considering St Ursulas before all this academy status business came about.

Sorry CHST - just noticed that you replied to this.
I think both schools are well regarded. We are the other side of E - equidistant between E and WOT. I preferred E as although WOT is smaller they combine the two reception classes so you effectively have one big class of 60 with 2 teachers for some things - It all seemed far too chaotic to me. As for St U's - who knows what's going on there at the moment? One of dd's friends is due to start there in Sept. Bit of a gamble I think. They are banking on paying fees for a year and then effectively getting free private education. I'm not so sure it is going to work like that...
For what it is worth I think that dd1's reception teacher has been fantastic. The range of ability in her class is huge and they are all well catered for. DD started very quiet but has grown in confidence hugely and made some lovely friends.

Thank you. It is lovely to have insight from parents who already have children at the school! I totally agree about St Ursulas, it's a big risk and I'm a bit afraid of it going downhill once it has changed into an academy

Exactly - nobody knows whether it is actually going to end up being a good school anyway. I really can't fault E, except that it feels busy at arrival and leaving times, but the children don't seem to notice that. We have just had a fantastically detailed report for dd after her first year, and they seem to have her completely sussed!

I have heard equally good things about St B though. For me it would come down to which is the nearest walk, where are your ds's friends likely to go, where do your neighbours go (for sharing lifts/after school playing etc) and which feels more comfortable for you and your children when you look round. I don't know if it makes any difference to your decision but E have now lost the funding for the re-build. They are likely to get a few portacabins instead - where they are going, nobody knows! Shame as it is a wasted opportunity, but not surprising in the current climate.....

thanks for the update on Elmlea. Elmlea is nearest and most of the neighbourhood children go there. That is important as you say. Do you know if they will keep the current building or are they knocking it all down to replace with portacabins?

No the portacabins are extra - the building will stay as it is as far as I know. They are talking about taking down internal walls to increase classroom size and use the portacabins for the extra classroom space they need. The number of children is not changing. Where the portacabins are going to go has not been decided but I'd be very surprised if they are on the playing field. I think more likely on the car park and hard playing areas. It's a shame as the building is rubbish and desperately needs replacing, but not to be sadly. Less disruptive for the children though....