PLaygroups - how do I decide which one's best?

[decaffeinated]

My son's 2 3/4 and I'd like to send him to playgroup twice a week after Christmas so I can have a bit of a break from looking after two young kids. I've been to see two local ones, and put his name down, both seem very nice.

They are both attached to each of the two local primary schools, one of which my son will probably end up going to.

Does it matter at this point which playgroup he goes to? I'm just wondering whether it's worth considering which school he might go to when making the choice.

If he goes to one playgroup and makes friendsthen ends up at the other school, does it matter that he won't know as many people?

Or am I being oversensitive and does it not really matter if they're both good playgroups and it's only a few hours a week anyway?!

Any thoughts / experience gratefully received.
DC

I would definately have a think about which of the schools he is more likely to attend, whilst it isn't the end of the world, you will find it helps ease him into the school if he has attended the playgroup attached, he gets used to the buildings, the playground, often the teachers pop over and say hello, he makes a few friends etc

Thanks skydance. Okay, so now I guess the dilemma about which school to go to rears it's head. Obviously, I need to factor in the fact that he may not get into our first choice anyway, but in a perfect world where he does...

One's got oustanding ratings across the board, one is good across the board on the Ofsted ratings, and both are highly regarded in the local community.

The 'outstanding' school has 200 pupils, the 'good' one has 450.

The larger school is a five minute walk, the smaller, a 15 minute walk, and both feed into the local comp.

My instinct would say it's obvious to go for the 'outstanding' school if there's a choice, but it's not all about Ofsted ratings is it?

Is the best way to tell to have a look and get a feel for it yourself, in which case, are schools willing if you're not in the next year's intake?

Yes, you can go and look at a school anytime you like! Well, you need to phone the school and make an appointment, but normally fine to show you round. I did this when we were moving house and my eldest was just 3, he's now at the school nursery and loving it.

Personally I would look at both schools and go with your gut instinct. Also, look at the likelihood of him getting into the one a bit further away with less pupils. If it's very popular and they do it on distance perhaps he won't get in?

My opinion is a school doesn't need to be oustanding, but good enough and you soon get a feel for that when you go round

Forgot to say it doesn't really matter as kids are very flexible at this age, so don't stress too much!!

Thanks Tgger, think in the New Year I'll go and take a look at both schools and go from there!

It is 'easier' if you send him to the nursery of the school you want to send him to.

My dd went to a nursery that 'fed' one school but I ended up sending her to a different school - only one other from her nursery went to this other school.

She now has many friends and is in the top percentile.

If your child was very shy, you may want to consider it though.

As others say, go and see them both. Also hang outside the schools at pick up time, and look at other parents/kids/behaviour. You should get a 'feel' for what you prefer.