Please help me word email declining pre-school space after accepting

[SherbettingSherbert]

Firstly, I know I'm overthinking!
I'm just asking for help here as my brain is fried and I keep going round in circles.

Situation:

• DC accepted for a well-regarded local pre-school
• Pre-school is attached to oversubscribed Junior school that we're hoping to get DC into and suspect being at the pre-school helps get a foot in, they also do reception
• Unfortunately, slots we've been given were PM only and no lunch, we were quite keen for her to go there so we just accepted and wanted to make it work
• I've been a SAHM and self-employed freelance, my work has ramped up recently and have just decided to go back for the coming year as I've missed it and it helps us financially
• Means this pre-school is no longer suitable for our circumstances
• Her current nursery has a lot more flexibility at their pre-school room and no absence policy so this would work much better for us and she's really happy there

So, how do I word an email that explains we accepted but have now changed our minds but not burn bridges for reception application time? 🤔 (I think that in theory this shouldn't affect her reception application but we're first time parents and have no real idea if it does or doesn't)

I'm usually pretty good at writing emails but for a week now I just can't get around how to word this one and keep coming up with verbose rubbish!

Hopefully, that makes sense? You can see why I need help!

Thank you x

Hi OP,

Having a place at a nursery has no impact on allocations for Reception year.

Check the admissions policy for the school (you should be able to find this on their website). It's highly unlikely that attending the preschool gives you any advantage when it comes to being allocated a school place (in England, it may be different in other UK countries).
But regardless of the above, a simple email stating that your circumstances have changed and you've had to consider alternative childcare arrangements will more than suffice.

There’s no guarantee of a school place. Just write that your circumstances have changed and you no longer need it. Guaranteed the person reading it won’t give a 2nd glance to the email

Reception place allocation doesn't work like that at all. Having a place at nursery/preschool doesn't put you any further ahead. Read your preferred school's admissions criteria and see where you fit on that list. Then find out how far the person who lives the furthest from the school but was still allocated a place lived. This will be available on the local authority's website. Then you will know what the chances of getting in at reception are.

As for the email - change in work circumstances requiring longer hours of childcare is all they're need to know.

I know you know you're over thinking it but you're really over thinking it!

'Hi,

(Any pleasantries you feel necessary)

We were excited for xx to join you, unfortunately a change in my working hours mean I need longer hours than available so we'll be unable to take the place.

Thanks'.

Done. It's just a business, they don't mind.

Thank you all, that's put my mind at ease that we're not disadvanting her at this stage and given me a well needed spark to start the email. Brain must be overloaded, struggling with the basics at the moment!

This is exactly what I needed @Truckinghell (both the simple template and the head wobble), thank you!

Just to check it is a state school? If it’s private then attending the nursery may secure a place for reception and beyond (it does at my prep) but not usually in state.

A few state schools in my area include attending the nursery/preschool as an admission criteria for reception, it's in-between siblings and distance so double check if it applies in your case. (Its an agreement with the local authority and am aware it is fairly rare but worth checking anyway).

As pp said, it won't make a difference to admissions in the slightest and unless you turn up to the preschool with the message written on your naked arse in lipstick, they're highly unlikely to remember and bear a grudge in any case 😆

On a practical note, I'm now loving chat bots when I get stuck on a piece of writing.
This is their offering on the subject:

Dear [Name of Pre-School Admissions],
I am writing to inform you that we have decided to decline the pre-school place that had been previously accepted for our little girl, [Name of Little Girl]. We appreciate the time and effort that the pre-school admissions team has put into processing our application and offering us a place. However, we have had a change of circumstances that requires us to reconsider our enrollment decision.
We understand that this may cause some inconvenience, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. We wish to convey our gratitude to the pre-school for offering us the place and for the excellent care and education that you provide to young children. We hope that you will be able to offer the place to another child who will benefit from your program.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,

The AI has no concept of how irritating it is to have to read such a waffle to find out what they're going on about.

Get to the point, write 'we do not require the place' and make sure the child's full name and date of birth is included so it can be matched up easily.

😆😆
Poor ai she's doing her best. I think you can instruct her to try again with less waffle if you have the heart to!!

Dear [Name of Pre-School Admissions],
We regret to inform you that we must decline the pre-school place previously accepted for [Name of Little Girl].
Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]

She took it well I think!

@DrHousecuredme i think that’s a great idea 😂 Certainly to spark up some creativity and a starting point, it’s a great shout

As long as your email is friendly, simple and to the point it will be fine! In all honesty the pre school will probably be grateful for the notice and just immediately fill the space with the next person who is waiting or enquires. No biggy!

@ZebraKid71 i fear it may well be one of these exceptions 😬 I had a look at the admissions policy on the school website and it mentioned linked infant school. To be honest the wording wasn’t very clear though.

I think we may just have to take our chances when the time comes. There are no seemingly bad primary schools near us thankfully. Secondary schools are another matter…but who knows where we’ll be when that time rolls around 😅

Linked infants just means that attendance at the infants school (so reception, year 1 and 2) may be one of admissions criteria for the juniors, but it's very unlikely to be referring to the pre-school. It will say explicitly in the admissions criteria if the nursery/pre school gives any preference in admission to the infants.

Ah that makes more sense @PatriciaHolm , thank you