Pre School Northern Ireland

[Whatwhere]

Hello Everyone,

I must admit this is the ever first time I have created an account with a forum to discuss and to get few suggestions/advice. Although I spend much of the needed time reading about kids, routine, health etc etc... now that we have our DD eligible to go to the nursery coming Sep 2020, I’m very worried about the selection we are going to make.
We live in Northern Ireland and having little knowledge about the education system here (as we are from India and have been living here since 2008) we are thinking too deep as to what would be the best choice for our DD, here are few questions on which I need help with-

1. Do all the state schools in NI follow the same syllabus, I understand there may be variation to the way it taught etc.
2. We live in Antrim road and the choices are few, there are some good schools and some better, we went to school visits and I read the Inspection report for few we were interested in, so do I make a judgment based on the report?
3. Our DD is quiet smart as she already knows alphabets, numbers etc, and we are very particular about the education so would private education be better compared to state?
4. Anyone sending there kids to Holy family at Antrim or Ben Madigan at upper Antrim road and how would you rate them, any other choices would greatly helpful.
5. Are there any league tables published for primary schools?

Since it’s nursery I’m not too worried but come P1 we will have to think really hard whether to move house or to use the same money towards private education. I understand there are some very good schools in Falls, Lisburn, Ballymena etc but they are secondary...

I would appreciate any response or guidance in this relation as honestly my mind is blank at the moment, who thought having kids will be such fun
Thanks........

Have you had a look round either school you mentioned? This can help you get a feel of them. Personally I would stick with state education for primary if you like the school, particularly as when Holy Family was inspected its comment given was 'the quality of education provided by this primary school is very good.
The primary school is meeting very effectively the educational and pastoral needs of the children; and has demonstrated its capacity for sustained self-improvement.'

Thanks for your feedback @sleepismysuperpower1, yes we went for open days although the report is good we are not sure of the area.
I agree that sticking to state school would help save that money for further education.