Are School-based nurseries any better than more informal pr-schools?

[ZabM]

Hi, I'm moving to coventry soon and registering my DD for nursery. We visited 2 options, one is in a school where a qualified teacher and a teaching assistant run it, sometimes with Free Flow into reception,, with much more structure, more focussed topics, activities - teacher led learning, lots more money and resources by the look of it, nicer environment etc. The other is in a community centre with 4-5 adults with some childcare qualifications but less formalised learning, more disorganised environment, but very friendly, closer to home, and more flexible childcare provision if I return to work. Any advice?

Really there shouldn't be any difference. In the school based pre-schools they often have better facilities (ie purpose built) but the learning should be the same. There shouldn't be too much structure at that age anyway so maybe I would be steering towards the community one as from your description it sounds like year R not pre-school or nursery.

I had this conversation with my mum the other day as DS2 goes to two different pre-schools, one at an independant school and the other in a church hall. She commented that how nice it would be if he could go to the private one every day, I told her it was no different, just because it has purpose built facilities doesn't mean its better from a learning point of view and also the Ofsted report wasn't actually as good as the community pre-school!

Personally I would go with your gut instinct, the important thing at this age is learning some independance and social skills. Closer to home and flexible is a massive thing when going back to work also.

There is often a huge difference in qualifications

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17496323

www.education.gov.uk/nutbrownreview

thanks that's helpful

And of course, if you intend keeping them at that school after nursery, then they will have the advantage of continuity, and probably other children whom they already know.

School nurseries are less flexible and insist on attendance 5 days a week, whereas preschools will allow you to choose your days. School nurseries can have 13 children for a qualified teacher as opposed to 8 children for a nvq qualified preschool worker. This can mean less staff for the same amount of children.

"insist on attendance 5 days a week"
You shouldn't generalise mnistoo, for example, the nurseries at our school will take children on any day scheme required.

Really? All the ones I have heard of in many different areas insist on 5 days a week and will remove places if you don't attend enough. I am happy to be corrected though.

The pre-school at my dc's school allows you to attend from one (3 hour) session per week to ten, with anything inbetween (you can also add on breakfast/tea clubs too).

Pre-Schools with QTs or EYPs can also use the higher ratios.

EYFS is in place in all settings, regardless of their location or name!

I think it also depends on your DD's personality / temperament.

I was all in favour of a more informal setting at first, but DS found the church-hall playgroup we looked at too chaotic. He's much happier with a bit more structure and organisation at the school nursery he's at now. He only goes 3 afternoons a week.