Can somone please explain pre-schools to me?

[peachsmuggler]

ok, being a bit dim here but was brought up in scotland where the education system is sligtly different and now live in London.

Can someone just explain to me how it all works and what the correct terms are to use, as have looked on our local governemtn website and don't really know what i am looking for.

In a nutshell I need to know

1. What is pre-school? Is this when they are given up to 12.5 hours free a week, or is that something else

2. How is the amount of hours they are given deicded?

3. What age do they start and finish this bit?

4. How early do you need to put their name down

5. When do they actually start primary school? I heard there are 2 intakes, how does that work

6. what is "Reception"

Sorry for all the questions, but I haven't got a clue!

I'm no expert and will watch this thread to find out the answers to your questions that I can't help with ... but ...

AFAIK - pre-school is non-compulsary.
Children can go from around 2.5 or 3 until they start school.
It is the bit that the 12.5 hours is for and a lot of pre-schools sort all that out for you.
Children start school the September after their 4th birthday ... don't know how 2 in-takes work.
Reception is the name given to the first year of compulsary education.

HTH

Pre-school refers to what used to be called playgroups in the days that children were allowed to play and not have to follow the EYFS and OFSTED etc.

Pre-schools take chidlren from 3, some from 2 and you get vouchers to use towards so many hours the term after they turn 3. They follow the early years curriculum but are usually non profit making committee based establishments. Some may have links to a local primary school.

In some areas there are nursery classes attached to schools and these offer a similar based education, usually within a school and may be full or part time.

You can also use vouchers in a private nursery if you wish (useful for working parents.

Reception class is the first class of primary school. Children enter reception the September after they turn 4. In some areas summer born children start in the January rather than the September. Reception is meant to be a sort of transition between pre-school/nursery and more formal learning. It is part of the Foundation Stage, the next being Key Stage 1.

It does vary in different areas though. You need to know for your area, and really the specific schools and preschools.

For example, one of ours was free 9-3, 5 days a week, from the term they were over 3, and was part of the primary school, in a Foundation Stage.

The other of ours was free for 12.5 hours a week but children could attend all week if you paid extra.

And many preschools are just 2.5 hours a morning or afternoon, in church halls and similar. all very different.

and reception here starts either in Sept or Jan depending on birthdays.

Pre schools are the old playgroups. They are run by committee that is made up of parentsof the DCs in the pre school. The committee hire the staff, pay the wages, pay hall rental etc. They will fold without the committee. At least that is my understanding.

They are cheaper because they are non-profit making. Any profits are ploughed back on new toys etc.

Excellent, thanks for the info.

Do pre-schools have catchment areas then or can you use any one? How early do you need to put their name down and do you contact them or do you get a letter from the council when it is time ot start?

If the promary school you are thinking of sending your LO to has a pre-school. are you best trying to get them a pre-school place there?

It varies massively from place to place - not even area to area, I mean individual schools/pre-schools.

If there is a pre-school that 'feeds' into the school you want your DC to go to then it might be a good idea to send them to that pre-school as they will mix with the children they will be going to school with. Also, some schools have links with pre-schools and do visits etc. in the lead-up to them starting at the school.

As it is non-complusory, I'd be surprised if you got any info directly through your council. As I say, it varies, but I would be surprised. If I were you, I'd give your local pre-school a ring and ask them how it works.

You could ask your HV.
Mine had a list of all the local pre-schools with basic info about each one.
Worth a thought, maybe?

That's a good idea Tigers. I'll ask the next time I'm there.

Cheers!