Hill House nursery school London

[Zaczac]

Need help, my son was booked in to Hill House to start the nursery school in Jan 11. We have received the letter from school says: there is no nursery school next year and now he is booked in to start a reception school in Sept 11 instead!!!
He is in the nursery full time at mo but we want to move him into more "structure" environment.
What can I do now?
Leave him in nursery or
put him in another nursery school then start Hill House in Sept 11?
We live on Battersea park - is Newton Prep any good??? Heard mixed stories... Or shall I put him in a government nursery school - Somerset?
Gosh and we might not in anywhere in this short notice! Stupid Hill House with last minute change

Newton Prep is rigorous to get into (for reception not sure about nursery), and I imagine there are waiting lists.

Look into Eaton Square Nursery. They might have space, and they tend to cater for families who might not have lived in London early enough to put names/deposits down when child was very young.

Thanks a lot. I will try Eaton Square today

Hi. My DD is in the same boat. I just got the letter too. I am so annoyed. I am now frantically looking around for where I can send her. She is at Ravenstone now and I too would like her to go somewhere more structured. Does anyone know of a school near Marylebone that would still take little ones?

Sorry, the huntress. I don't know school around your area. I got my DS in a waiting list of Newton Prep and Eaton Square but the chance to get in this Sept is very slim...
I spoke to the Hill House headteacher last Friday, he suggested me to leave my DS in the nursery till Sept 11 - not sure whether I want to do that... Or I might have no choice at the end..
Hope you find something.
Try to look on website - directgov - there is a link to all private and Government schools in UK
good luck

You could try Blundells Day Nursery, Sheepcote Lane (behind the Latchmere - not the one opposite it). My DC had a marvellous time there, and Miss Fiona (who does "mini-lessons" with the older children when ready for it) is excellent.

Newton Prep entry procedures have changed since the about 2007/08, so worth checking with them directly. Snag is that they're having building work done (prefab where the nursery used to be coming down for shiny new wing); not sure what that will mean for their logistics and numbers of nursery children.

Anyone any ideas what's up with Hill House??

My DS is in Bridge Lane nursery FT at mo. It is an outstanding ofsted nursery. I will leave him there until Hill House I think as I don't want to change his routine too much.
But anybody can give me opinion on whether I should send my two DS to Private or Govenment school???

Zaczac- we were thinking about calling the school too and expressing our displeasure at how late we were told this was happening. What was the headteacher's attitude. Sounds like it is not even worth the call...

I think we will have to keep my DD at Ravenstone until next September too.

Huntress, the head master is nice on the phone. I think Hill House is having a problem with Ofsted about children start mid year ie January.
He apologised etc.
I think Hill House is having some issues with Ofsted and the latest report shows as Fail in many areas.
I spoke to head master in details.... The school fail in the record keeping for example.
I am not sure. I like the school. The children seems happy there. But now I'm not sure whether the school is still any good?
There are many government primary schools near me with Outstanding Ofsted result but I'm not sure whether they are any good or just tick all the required boxes!
My DS is in an Outstanding Ofsted nursery at the mo, but the quality is not that good...
I'm just confused

I've decided to give them a call. I will report back...

Thanks the huntress and can't wait to hear..

They aren't answering so we are sending them an email. I'd like reassurance that she does have a place for September 2011. It is clear that the piece of paper they sent us saying DD had a place for January 2011 is not worth anything. I don't want them turning around and saying sorry we are oversubscribed...

Wow. Why are you both so keen to send your children to a failing school which has problems with Ofsted?

The school was very good when my DS was born and may be still very good. I'm not sure now with all Ofsted problem.
After I spoke to the headmaster, it does more of record keeping issues than others.
Anyway,QS, where do you send yours?

I sent both mine to Asquith in Putney. The school deteriorated and ds2 was really unhappy in the end, so we moved him to St Mary Magdalens Montessory in Mortlake. Lovely school. Too far away from you!

I know but thanks for letting me know. Now I'm considering moving into a very good state school catchment...

The areas that Hill House have done badly on in Ofstead are recording keeping and not fire drill procedures. So purely administrative items - if you read the report it is really complimentary about the all other aspects of the childrens' education there.

Without fail, the children that I have met that have gone there have been happy, well -adjusted and love their school. I'm attracted to it because it seems like a good all-rounder school with kids of all abilities and brains. In other words, not your typical academic hothouse you might at most private schools in London.

Thanks a lot. I still do like the school very much as i think they are not too "pushy" as I beleive children should enjoy themself.
So is yours starting in Sept 11?
Mine is 99% there just want to have a quick look at another school near us.

yes, mine is starting in Sept 11. I think she will just stay in her current nursery school until then.

My DS starting in Sep 11 too. He is now in Active Learning Nursery (Fulham). It is absolutely brilliant! I checked the ofsted report and as the huntress said it has done badly only on the administrative side. I am still keen for my DS to go there!

Hey, after all the discussion with friends I think I will send mine to HH...starting Sept 11...done!
I have to start on after school care now - never ending!