Process - UK expat returning

[MrsG2017]

Hi lovely mummies,
We are due to be returning from living in NZ where the schooling requirements,waiting lists etc are very different.

I am completely clueless about the UK process as I had my first and only here in NZ he's 3 in April.

When do I need to be popping him on school waiting lists etc ?

Sorry completely vague and starting to panic a bit.

Thanks ladies

Sarah

Where abouts in the UK are you moving... Ie England, NI, Wales or Scotland? As rules are different...
In England they start school the Sept after they turn 4.... So any child that was 4 1st Sept to 31st Aug starts in the September. You apply for schools... Putting your preferences down... in the previous autumn (think closing date is 15th Jan) through the local authority. School allocation is April. You don't need to put their name down prior. Each school has its own allocation criteria and may require proof of address, baptism etc depending on school. Most is based on address... So best to live near a school happy with... In the area they take from...

Thank you - most like Herefordshire area thank you feel completely out of the loop.

So as long as we are settled and able to apply around Christmas next year (4in the April) he will be ok to start in the September.

My worst nightmare to uproot my wee man and then struggle with school places etc.

Thank you so much for the information.

Feels so young to be sending him off here in NZ they start on their 5th birthday (yes all start at different dates) and even then some younger ones are held back until the autumn so Toby would be nearly 6 before starting school properly.

However I think it does have its downsides and education seems much better in the UK which is one of our reasons for the return.

If he's 3 in April you would need to apply for Reception mid January 2021 for September 2021 entry. Preschool is not compulsory and there is provision in some schools and privately in nurseries, preschools or daycare or childminder/nanny . Some of these options could be arranged in advance of your arrival although you may wish to visit first. A child who has turned 3 gets 15 hours per week termtime funded from the next term, although that would not apply to your dc until September 2020 as cut off for summer term is beginning of April.

Thank you so much. So if we return around Jan feb I will likely have to wait until Sep for a preschool place?

I might use that as a lovely excuse to spend 6months together as I have been back at work here and had him in preschool since he was 6 months so perhaps mummy time might be nice.

Not necessarily. State School based preschools will usually intake in September after they turned 3 and are funded but you can pay for nursery/preschool yourselves in private settings before then if they take younger children and some state schools have a nursery for 2 year olds. Bear in mind that attendance at a school nursery/preschool does not guarantee a reception place there and many children will attend other settings.

Thank you! Yes that's the same here in NZ we only get funding after three so I'm ok with that.

Thank you for your help

Look up Herefordshire.gov.uk then go to 'schools and education' and select 'primary schools admissions' to take you to the guidance pages.