Just been offered a preschool nursery place . Help!

[mama01]

I'd completely forgotten I'd put my DS's name down at one of the local primary schools for a nursery place last summer. He's my one and only and I didn't really know the score about how these things work.

At the moment he does part time at a private nursery and me and my partner wangle the remaining childcare between us. We'd imagined leaving him there until he started school in Sept 2013.

Now the school had rung and offered us a full time, fully funded place at preschool for this Sept. I don't know what to do but they want an answer today. I think I have cold feet about starting him in a new environment and having the hassle of what to do during holidays.

On the other hand no more nursery fees, we'll still have to sort out holiday childcare the following year onwards and it is the school that we are leaning towards as a first choice in the area.

I think I just don't like being put on the spot about this. Am I being daft? He'll be 3.9 in sept so not a little one ( and the way he's acting at the moment he's 3 going on 15......)

Do you not have a holiday time nursery near you?
This is a good age to go full time as starting school is a giant step if your child is not used to being separated from you for a long time.
Also it is a great opportunity to get your foot in the door at the school of your choice.Go for it!!

be aware that you are usually not guaranteed a place at the school just because your child goes to the nursery. councils usually allocate places not the school.

we moved ds2 to his fututre schools nursery a year before he started, before that hed been at a private nursery, he settled brilliantly, has made friends with children who will be in his class ( this wasnt the case at his other nursery) and is v. happy. Also , as he is used to the site, I think he will settle better into reception , Id say go for it!!

That's reassured me. I haven't heard of holiday time nurseries but will look into that.

I ended up calling back and taking the place. I panicked a bit because I had no one to talk it over with but the more I thought about it the more I realised it is a good opportunity.

The extra money in my pocket from September also sweetens the decision!

Have you checked what they mean by full time fully funded? Most places will just offer the 15 funded hours and you will have to pay for any extras over that. If you are just using your 15 hours, then you should be able to get that free at your private nursery also.

You usually only get 5 morning / 5 afternoon sessions or 2.5 days.
Not full days.
And most schools finish at 3 or just after.

Just for the record we live in what's classed as a deprived area so full time means 9-3pm.

The school may well have it's own holiday club/extended school/wrap-around care too - just a thought!