Nursery/preschool/stay home? HELP!!!

[emmlepemmle]

So, my DS is about to turn 2 early march and I realise I have failed in all aspects of looking at education for now and then future......just had a freak out as it looks like I've missed the deadline to apply for his free funding from 3?? I'm sooooo confused about everything nursery/preschool etc, I want him to start at nursery/preschool around September but where? We're in Wimbledon and I like the look of dicky birds and play days but can he stay there til he's 5? Then what? Do I still have to apply for him to go to 'big school' like holy trinity etc.....any pointers would be amazing as the more I read on the Internet the more confused I get...and of course DH is utterly useless and expects me to do everything with zero input.....

Call up Borough of Merton educational department. They'll talk you through the whole process. They will also send you a brochure (or guide you to an online link) which will tell you all about applying for primary schools (state). If you plan on sending your LO to a faith school in reception, be prepared. They want a record of baptism and a reference from the priest/rev of the church you attend. You will have to prove that you are practicing. It is difficult to get into a faith school if your LO doesn't have a religious background. But don't let that stop you from applying. They are obliged to allow entry to a certain proportion of children from other faiths or non-religious backgrounds. You can apply for a state nursery which he will enter at the age of 3 in September 2015. By January 2016 you will have had the opportunity to apply for big school (reception) placement at a state school. You will have a choice of 6 local primary schools (depends on borough, but 6 is the norm). I am not sure how the private sector goes. We did send our daughter from 2-3 to private nursery for one year. Once she was able to attend state nursery at age 3 this past September, this brought us financial relief. I am a stay at home mum, so 3 hours per day at nursery works for me. But if you are working full time, I can understand why state nursery won't work. They finish by 12. Your best bet is to make that phone call.