Address change for preschool - am I being paranoid?

[MiaSparrow]

Advice needed please! DD has been offered a place at preschool, but we've been forced to move house in the meantime. We're now a full five minutes walk away from the school (as opposed to 30 seconds), but we're in London where the catchment areas are ridiculously small - like two streets! We've done everything by the book thus far, but haven't owned up that we've moved. There will be a home visit at the start of term this Sept, so obviously will have to let them know of the address change at some point!

DP thinks I'm being totally paranoid, and that once she's in she's in. But I'm not so sure. I don't think we'd have been offered the place had we applied from the new house.

Should we be looking at other options nursery-wise just in case? This is the only place she's been offered so far and I really only want her to do the free 15 hours if possible.

Thanks in advance!

I dont think it matters for pre-school as there isnt a catchment area for pre-school like there is for schools. I dont think it makes any difference at all to your pre-school application so get your address changed.

Really!? I don't think that applies at all in this case - we've been told they absolutely do go by address. We've had to enrol with proof of address no longer than a month old. Thankfully we were just able to do this before we moved!

how bizarre!

I know! It makes me a bit sad that this grappling for school places has started already and she's only 3! But yes, that's what it's like around here - hence the perceived paranoia! I should add this is a tiny school and is Ofsted outstanding, so everyone's desperate to get in.

It's based on where you were at the deadline for applications, surely?

I would be honest with them now, as they will find out eventually and then if they do say you can't have a place, you have time to find somewhere else.

That's what DP thinks Families. Yes you're probably right, LittleMiss!

I don't think schools are allowed to use being at their own pre school as an admissions criterion, can they? Or has it changed?

I would assume that you would have to apply again for a a Reception place- and your new address will be relevant then.

Oh yes, we know there's no guarantee she'll get into Reception there, unfortunately. We've been informed.

Just to be clear - where were you when the application was made? And have you moved for genuine reasons? If so, there shouldn't be any problem at all. You are allowed to move - hence why people rent in order to get into a school and then live further away once the place is secured

Yes, we were literally 30 to 60 secs away when we applied (you could see into the playground from our back garden). Genuine reason for moving: yes, definitely, and it's not as if we've moved into the catchment area to be closer - that would appear more sneaky, no?