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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

can anyone talk me through pre-school options?

16 replies

ellymae · 10/03/2009 13:38

I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to pre-school as my DD is only just about to turn 2 so haven't had to think about it before now. I'm not really looking to start her in anything before she qualifies for the govt vouchers at 3 yrs old but keep hearing from people that I need to get her name down on a waiting list soon for some of the more popular choices

So, from what I understand I've essentially got 3 options for DD: a pre-school (nursery class) attached to a primary school (there are 2 near me that are both good); a private day nursery; toddler groups that run for a couple of hours or so each morning.

can anyone enlighten me on why I would chose one over the others? I realise it is all down to personal choice and what would suit my DD best but why would I chose the nursery class at a school say over a church run toddler session run 3 times a week in their church hall? Would my DD have better facilities, would she have a better chance of getting into the primary school itself if she's already at the nursery? On the other hand, would a school environment give her too much of a formal educational experience when perhaps it would be better to let her just run around and play in a large hall?

If anyone could share their experiences of what has worked best for them I would be grateful

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Aranea · 10/03/2009 13:49

The 'curriculum' (how ridiculous) is the same for any of those settings, so in a sense it doesn't make any difference.

Obviously there will be a financial difference to you.

For me the biggest deciding factor was the adult/child ratios, which are massively different at a school nursery to a playgroup or private nursery. A school nursery can have one qualified teacher plus one assistant for 26 children, whereas a private nursery has to have I think one adult to eight children, and will probably have a better ratio than that if there are younger children there too, as the ratio for 2yos is I think 1 to 4.

DD1 (4) is at a private nursery because I didn't feel she was ready to cope with such a low ratio of adults to children. I don't think it makes much difference in terms of what they do all day.

Original poster

ellymae · 10/03/2009 14:35

thanks for that! I knew I was right to come on here for advice as the adult/child ratio wasn't something that had occurred to me. Also, I think I'm in blissful ignorance of curricula at this young age, guess I'd better find out more...

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littlerach · 10/03/2009 14:47

Is that right, Aranea, about school nursery ratios? Is that with 3 and 4 year olds?

I didn't know that at all.

Aranea · 10/03/2009 16:42

I think that's right as far as I remember from when I was researching this in time to decide last september, littlerach. Hope I'm not spouting rubbish! Yes, it is with 3 & 4 year olds, the year before Reception.

GColdtimer · 10/03/2009 16:48

I thought it was 1 adult to 13 children at a state run nursery? that is what it is at the one DD will be going to in September.

There is some information on all the different types here, including getting financial help with pre-school/nursery fees which they are entitled to the term after the turn 3.
Nurseries, Playgrops and reception

GColdtimer · 10/03/2009 16:55

Just checked, its 1 to 13 for a state maintaind nursery (which are the ones attached to a school). In a "daycare" setting so a private nursery for instance its 1 to 8 (although there will seem lots more staff present because the ratios for 2 year olds is 1 to 4 and for under 2's, its 1 to 3.)

That was from the teachers.org website.

GColdtimer · 10/03/2009 16:56

which is pretty much what you said aranea

GColdtimer · 10/03/2009 16:58

The ratios gave me the wobbles too but then I thought she will be going to a class of possibly 30 4.5 years on 18 months time so she'd better get used to having a lot less attention!

GColdtimer · 10/03/2009 16:59

Am I just talking to myself

KatyMac · 10/03/2009 17:00

Some childminders are able to offer nursery education and accept the funding for 'pre-school'

Original poster

ellymae · 10/03/2009 17:03

thanks twofalls thats a really useful link. I guess I just have to trawl through all the groups in my area and go and check out a few before making a decision.

One new question now that springs to mind is the early years foundation stage requirements. How important are they really for a 3 year old going to a playgroup (or nursery/pre-school class)? DD would only be spending 15 hours a week at at one of these groups and getting the rest of her 'education' from me (I'm a SAHM)and the rest of the family so my first thought is that as long as the group is safe, clean etc and she is enjoying just having a good time should I be worried if they're not meeting the curriculum requirements?

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Original poster

ellymae · 10/03/2009 17:10

katymac, I'd heard that about childminders. I guess for me is that as I'm a SAHM and hopefully will be this time next year that a group environment would be what I'm looking for so that DD can be gradually weaned off having devoted attention from me! Although we go to toddler groups and meet up with friends with children I don't want school (and having to sit in a room full of loads of other children) to be a complete shock to her system.

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GColdtimer · 10/03/2009 17:25

from my point of view ellymae, its more important for me that the environment is good, the children enjoy themselves and they have a good variety of activities during the day. I haven't even looked at the curriculum and i choose DDs pre-school based on the fact i really liked the atmosphere when I looked round and DD was transfixed by all the resources they had for "sticking" which is her activity of choice at the moment.

go and have a look at some and you will soon get a feel for what you like.

Aranea · 10/03/2009 18:01

Glad I wasn't talking drivel, twofalls!

Aranea · 10/03/2009 18:08

I really wouldn't worry about the foundation stage requirements, ellymae. Really wouldn't even take them into consideration. I think you're absolutely right that this time is about socialising and getting used to playing in a group setting.

Original poster

ellymae · 10/03/2009 19:36

Have to say that my gut feeling would be that if I walked into a group and the children were all happy and having fun and the leaders said that they had a copy of the curriculum somewhere in the building (but weren't sure where!) I would probably want to sign up there and then! I do think there is plenty of time in the years ahead about meeting requirements but just wasn't sure if I should be taking things a bit more seriously than I want to at this stage.

Still not entirely sure what sort of thing I'm after for DD but I guess it's a bit like buying a house in that I'll know its 'the one' as soon as I walk through the door!

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