When will my child start preschool?

[amberdixie]

DD's birthday is 1st September 2017. Would I expect her to start the September she turns 2 - early September 2019? Or would she not be able to make that intake? Would it be September 2020 once she's 3? Sorry confused by it. Thanks.

Funding for pre school kicks in the term after they are 3, so would be Jan 2021 for the 15/30 free hours . A lot of places will take them before then but you will have to pay fees.

If she is going to be at school, then it will be the September after she turns 3. 2021. So she will probably actually be 4 when she starts if her birthday is the first!

If she is going to be going to a private nursery, then she can start the term after her 3rd birthday and receive funding. So January 2021.

Ok thank-you. My concern is that the preschools are very sought after around here and availability only becomes available every September when children leave for school. I'm happy to pay but wasn't sure if the cut off would be the same as school - eg. She wouldn't be able to attend until the following year intake?

My DD will be 3 in November and started this September as the preschool takes them the term before their 3rd birthday. Funding won't kick in until next term though.

If in England, then she starts Reception in 2022. She'll be the oldest in the year, and actually 5 when she starts.

So she would start her Nursery year September 2021

'Pre-school' and 'Nursery' are a bit interchangeable in terms of names of settings. Don't assume anything by the name of the place.

As has been said above, you can get a 'funded place' at most Nurseries / daycare / Pre-school / Playgroups from the term after she turns 3, so, for you , that will be from January 2021, so she could actually get 5 terms worth of triple E funding.

You could probably start her in September 2020 if you wanted to and just pay for the first term. You can start them whenever you like, or not send them at all. It's not compulsory. Most people go at around age 3 though.

Ask around your local pre schools and see what they say.

My son and daughter are to be 2 this November.

We spoke with preschools about funding for them. They said that they can only take kids after they are two years old. It’s worth asking around and seeing what responses you receive.

It’s not mandatory however.

It’s worth asking a few different places questions about funding and admission procedures for entry. I do have a childcare backup plan just in case I need to fall back on it. I’m a licensed holiday childcare provider.