Dd is 2 years old, I've applied to a couple of preschools all within a ten minute walk from home.
Preschool A has a place for dd in Sept 2016, for two mornings a week. We'd pay for two terms and then it would be completely free. They are open five mornings a week for three hours each session and they eat their packed lunch in this time. The room looks similar to how I remember my reception class, and they have sand pit etc.
Preschool b doesn't currently have a place until September 2017. They open four mornings a week for 3 hours each morning with an additional hour on 3 days a week for lunch club (byo packed lunch) and charge £3 each session even when she'd be eligible for funding (for non-government funded time). It is a pack away setting, so they look a lot more homely.
Preschool c does not have a waiting list so I'd have to wait until 2017 to hear if they'd have a place for dd in September. They want children to do five mornings a week at that age and have the option of paying for longer days and a hot lunch. They are part of a children's centre and do loads of messy play.
I got a good feel at all of them. B and C facilities are better, especially outdoor play at C. The staff all seemed friendly and were reading stories, interacting with children, helping them wash hands etc at every single preschool. I am tempted by preschool a because she can start earlier and when we looked round I just got a feeling like she needs to be there. I'm just concerned that it was a good day and that I'm being swayed by the gorgeous room and garden. We didn't have a good day either when we went to b and I don't want that to sway me. I love preschool c but I'm reluctant for her to do five mornings a week although the option to pay for longer days might enable me to get more hours at work. Please help, what kind of preschools did/does your child go to and when did they start?