Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Preschool education

Get advice from other Mumsnetters to find the best nursery for your child on our Preschool forum.

Flip

Original poster

Independent nursery doesn't offer half day places

20 replies

smoggie · 06/06/2006 15:46

Ds1 (and Ds2) have been accepted at our local independent school. Ds1 wil be 3y 6mo in Sept when he is due to start the nursery year. I've got a meeting with the head tomorrow to discuss all the practicalities, but one thing that has slightly concenred me since having hkm accepted is that they only offer nursery places for 5 full days a week. There isn't an option to just go mornings or afternoons. I just wondered is this common practice in independent schools or is it just ours - and...can they do that???
He has been attending a private day nursery for 3 days a week since he was 8 months (as I work p-t), so I think he'll manage OK with the 5 days (and they'll be shorter than the current nursery days as I'll be there to pick him up as I'll be a SAHM in 3 weeks time).

Just wanted to get some more information before I meet the head tomorrow. I just didn't think they could 'make' the children attend for full days at that age, but maybe I'm wrong.
If you have children who've gone straight into 5 days a week without a lead-in of morning or afternoon only sessions I'd love to hear how your children coped.
Thanks in advance

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Piffle · 06/06/2006 15:53

5 days at school and you're a SAHM?
How you can bear him being away that long!
My dd is 3.5 and I barely allow her to get to her 3 morning sessions!

wilbur · 06/06/2006 15:57

I think Independent school can sort of do what they want, but I have not heard of any that have 5 full days for 3 1/2 yr olds. Ds1 went to a nursery attached to an independent school for a year b4 reception which was 5 mornings a week. He had the option to stay for lunch or for the whole afternoon which he did sometimes towards the end of the year. Other independent schools round here do three or five mornings a week for that age, with similar afternoon options.

nailpolish · 06/06/2006 15:57

are you talking about the 12.5 hrs a week that all 3 yr olds are entitled to?

why do you want him to go half days? why do you want him to go at all? if you just want your ds to go to mix with his peers why not send him 2 full days a week

my dd1 goes to a playgroup 5 times a week (2.5hrs a day, so that makes it up to her 12.5 hrs a week entitlement)

its a private nursery, btw, that the council fund for the entitled places

they have a huge array of different times, half day, full day, whatever suits the family

hth

nailpolish · 06/06/2006 16:02

make sure you write down all your questions for your meeting with the head - your mind will go blank when you go!

Original poster

smoggie · 06/06/2006 16:09

Piffle - only just becoming a SAHM next month, as wanted to be around to drop ds1 off and collect him from school so that wasn't having to reply on wrap around clubs until 5pm and also to spend more time with ds2 (and ds1 when school is finished).

Having had to work part-time in the past I had to get used to being away from ds1 for 3 days. I'm afraid thats just how it is sometimes you don't have a choice.

Wilbur - thats just as I thought, I think they're really in the minority in not offering half-day places.
Nailpolish - I'm not sure what I think really. I want him to mix/socialise and get used to the structure of the school so I do def. want him to go, but the option of 'just 5 full days' seems too restrictive. I would ideally like to have one or two days with him.

I've been assured by another parent who currently attends his day nursery that they love it, aren't overwhelmed by it/are ready for it etc., but I just wondered is that because it's all that is on offer?

OP posts:

nailpolish · 06/06/2006 16:12

surely they cant be that unflexible

i would be astounded if this was the case

i think 5 full days at this age is far too much (my opinion)

ideally i think 2-3hrs, 5 days a week is best

or even 2 full days (say 9 til 3)

i hope everything becomes clear to you at the meeting

good luck

and WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN!!!

Issymum · 06/06/2006 16:14

DD1 is in Reception at an independent prep school. DD2 is 4 in September but is just too late for the cut-off that would mean she has to go into Reception (Hoooray!). So we've put her into the attached nursery for just one whole day a week - partly for logistical reasons and partly because she gets to play with DD1 and her friends at lunch-time. However, the nursery offers mornings, afternoons or whole days or any combination of them.

Original poster

smoggie · 06/06/2006 16:15

thanks nailpolish. I'm compiling my list tonight top of it is this issue.
I think I'll also ring the only other person I know who is seding her ds there as she was suprised by this too, see if she's had a meeting and if there's any room for negotiation! I'm a bit concerned now as September gets closer.

OP posts:

LIZS · 06/06/2006 16:16

Ours does 4 half days as minimum as a nursery class following the Early Years curriculum with option of lunch and afternoon care. They can't "make" you do 5 days but they can charge you for a full-time place regardless ! Perhaps they'd allow you a more staggered introduction.

nailpolish · 06/06/2006 16:18

just out of interest (or nosiness, take your pick)

are you getting the 12.5hrs a week entitlement?

and let me know how you get on! im quite interested (for some reason)

Blu · 06/06/2006 16:21

Can't you keep him at his current nursery p/t? Seems a bit mad to leave wortk to spend more time with him and then send him to f/t nursery! It sounds as if it is more a 'prep school' than nursery if they insist on f/t attendance.

Original poster

smoggie · 06/06/2006 16:24

nailpolish - we do get the 12.5 hrs entitlement so we get a reduction in the fees. As you'll probably gather from my nickname we're on Teesside - not far from you I think - from previous posts are you in Newcastle?- it's actually Red House School in Norton.
LIZS - I would actually quite happily pay the full fee but just have half day sessions for say a term or two - thats a good compromise I'll raise that with them.

OP posts:

nailpolish · 06/06/2006 16:30

no i stay in angus, scotland

but ive been to norton for my holidays

nailpolish · 06/06/2006 16:30

glad to see you get the 12.5 hrs, thatll save you a few pennies

np xx

Original poster

smoggie · 07/06/2006 13:37

Well I'm a happy mummy. Just been for my meeting with the head and apparently they've revised their policy and now there is the option of part-time, from 8.30-1.30, so he's signed up for that for at least the first term. I was suprised to discover though that only 2 of the 12 parents had opted for the part-time places. It was lovely being back there to have a nose around again and re-affirmed our (controversial) decision. Controversial in that I am practicing catholic and had chosen this in pref to local RC school (much to family's disappointment!).

OP posts:

LIZS · 07/06/2006 13:38

Glad you got it resolved.

wilbur · 07/06/2006 13:41

That's great, smoggie. We found the half day plenty for ds1 at that age and it's amazing how much they still get tired out from a full day at Reception age.

Original poster

smoggie · 07/06/2006 14:39

yes I'm so relieved, I really didn't know what I was going to do if they weren't flexible on this. Probably would have delayed his start date to Jan.

OP posts:

nailpolish · 08/06/2006 08:22

thats GREAT news, glad everything worked out ok

julienetmum · 08/06/2006 22:32

Oddly enough the opposite is the case where I live. Myself and at least one of my friends have put our children in nurseries attached to independant schools becasue the state nurseries do not offer half days, only full time.

Flip