How do you know which schools to look at?!

[JordannaNelson]

Hello.. Hoping for some advice, please be gentle. I'm new :) and I don't know the abbreviations you experts use!

My son is 3 in December and I'm dreading sending him to school, not only because I don't want him to grow up, but also I work 2 full days a week and they are set. What happens if he gets into a nursery and the days are the same as the days I work? I'm not having anyone else pick him up from school, surely that's my job, as his mum?
Also, what do I look for in a school?
He hasn't been to preschool yet, some stay and play sessions, but that's it..
He's a bright lad and really playful and on the go. Constantly.
I guess I'd just like some reassurance that it's going to be ok.
When should I start looking for next year, I guess. I've asked a few schools in Croydon and they said that they only have September intake. That means he'll be almost 4. Should I pay for earlier nursery place or wait for the government funding?!

Thanks in advance, I'm anticipating advice..
:)x

I'm easily confused are you looking at pre-schools or schools? Or pre-schools attached to schools?

With dd1 I put her into nursery the September of the term she turned 3, and paid until the funding came through. Having done that she had 2 years in preschool. By Easter of the 2nd year she was bored. (I know other people with children with autumn birthdays and they said the same). personally if I was to do it again with her I would wait and do the January intake.

Dd2 was a late summer birthday and SN, I did the January intake, and again paid for 2 terms until her funding. (1 day a week to start) most likely due to the SN, and a bit late birthday, she will be one of the youngest in her school year I feel she would have benefitted from being in preschool for longer.

What I'm trying to say is, well, all children are different and respond to pre-school differently.

If you do start him before the funding you need to find a preschool that challenges the older children during that last term, so that they don't get bored. But holding him out for another year or until January won't harm him. Some children start school without actually going to pre-school.
Also day nurseries (to fit around your work) still have to follow the early-years guidance.

Hmmm.. I'm still none the wiser!
He seems to be getting enough stimulation at home with me and with his grandparents on the days I do work.
There's just so many schools and in my borough it seems that they only have the September intake after the 3rd birthday.
To be honest, I'm actually dreading him getting any older!, he's do cheeky!

Thanks for your advice..I was hoping to get him into a school nursery, rather than a preschool.. But saying that, I'm just not sure on the difference. A pre school has no school attached, that right?!

Eeek, never thought I'd see the day is be sending my very own children to school!!
IM GETTING OLD!!