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Preschool education

Get advice from other Mumsnetters to find the best nursery for your child on our Preschool forum.

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Original poster

This whole private pre-prep admissions process thing is doing my head in

13 replies

legalalien · 30/01/2008 12:43

just wanted to whinge really (and know that this sounds painfully middle class, I don't have a real problem etc. - bring it on . Admissions session at school number 2 is in an hour and a half - this time a half hour "play session" rather than an interview. Honestly, how much can they tell about a 3 year old in a half hour play session in a strange environment (other than whether he is a fledgling psychopath)? Or are they just going to judge me (dons appropriate Boden outfit as got strange looks when turned up at last one wearing corporate lawyer uniform - don't get me started on the need to take time off work for these things).

Sigh. And I'm not even sure whether I want to send him private or not - just can't resist finding out whether I have the option.......

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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claricebeansmum · 30/01/2008 12:46

Wait until you get to the joys of 11+ and CE...this will seem like a walk in the park! (Although I do class this as one of my "rich bitch" problems)

I guess at this age they are looking for bright children who take an interest and can communicate and take part.

Original poster

legalalien · 30/01/2008 21:22

oh good lord.

why are/were all the other mums about 10 years younger than me, and perky?

CLEARLY they have not spent the years of their prime recording their time in six minute units.

OP posts:

SaveScrabulous · 01/02/2008 15:12

Ok legal - were they all wearing Boden (I ask as I will have to go to one of these in the nearish future and want to get an idea of the done thing in terms of outfits. Please say not Boden as I don't want to buy a 'flappy spotty swing skirt' or something like that!)

Original poster

legalalien · 01/02/2008 22:27

I think the done thing is skinny jeans, black boots (sort of expensive ugg looking efforts) and cashmere looking jumpers seemed to be the go - the lot I saw this week deffo too young for Boden ( a number of them had ponytails - ). Although I'm complaining, relatively low key. Can I just say, I don't own any items of Boden clothing with patterns on!

OP posts:

Hulababy · 01/02/2008 22:30

Sounds all very stressful!

Dds was all quite relaxed nd laid back in comparision

controlfreakyagain · 01/02/2008 22:31

share, clarice... am in middle of 11+ transfer to independent secondary school hell.... and am too ashamed to moan on here usually.... i know it's not a life and death thing etc etc.... but it feels like it atm!

nellyraggbagg · 01/02/2008 22:35

Savescrabulous: you can spare yourself the Fun Flippy Pattern Skirt. I will almost certainly have worn whatever I had that was relatively clean for DS's "assessment" (and given the school fees, it's likely to have been from Asda), and he got in. I now show myself up by picking him up in my Gran's old mac, wellies, and a reflective jacket. But I do hope you realise you'll need a pair of sunglasses to wear on your head (in winter, too) if you want to fit in...

SaveScrabulous · 02/02/2008 09:30

will go and buy sunglasses. As long as Boden isn't some sort of compulsory mums' uniform at drop-off I will be happy!

nellyraggbagg · 02/02/2008 20:23

No - get the sunglasses and you'll be fine!

NotQuiteCockney · 02/02/2008 20:26

My DS1 went through something like this when he was 4+, and it was fine. Granted, they said, they were looking for children who were 'outgoing, confident and sociable', and that is a very accurate description of DS1.

Really, honestly, the admissions process is for you, too, if the school is geared up to cope with a certain sort of child, and your child doesn't 'fit', then they shouldn't be there, surely?

Sassa · 08/02/2008 13:38

I've enquired about the 4+ at habs boys in st albans but no information is forthcoming. My nanny thinks it's a mixture of confidence, interest and basic abilities in terms of alphabet, shapes, colours etc.

Now, this lawyer better get on with making up as many 6 mins as poss before close of business..!

SaveScrabulous · 09/02/2008 18:53

Reckon asking on the local grapevine will be the best way of getting an idea of what they do Sassa, as per your nanny asking around.

Sounds feasible that that is what they'd look for at this age doesn't it.

Page62 · 12/02/2008 13:45

i know this might sound a bit strange, but i was put off by schools who wanted to interview me and my husband. i much preferred the schools who concentrated on whether my child was the right fit for their school. We chose a school that asked me to drop off DD for an hour ( i asked where do i wait -- and they said oh don't mind, so i popped out for a coffee and came back after 45 mins) ....and DD is now very happy there.

it does my head in that they do these "assessment" things, but if they do, i want it to be more about DD not about me and DH

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