School Nurseries

[Firawla]

I am a bit confused about the difference between school nurseries and other nursery places like @ the surestart children's centres. If the school ones are full time then do you pay for it? I don't understand if it's free then how come it would be only 12.5 hours in the other ones, and that one for free but looking at the schools website it doesn't mention anything about fees, could anyone clarify?

Also what have people found better for their dcs?

Our nearest school is a really good school and has nursery classes from 3 years so I was thinking of applying for that, although I don't know if it would be too much for my ds being full time? Although it seems like it would be a good opertunity for him as its such a great school... although if you have to pay that would be decision made because cant afford it

any views on which way is generally better? is fulltime too much for dcs who havent been in any kind of nursery before (loves going out and mingling with other dc though)- i am just presuming its a full day like 9-3 because it mentioned on website the nursery children eating their school dinner..

btw he is just coming up to 2 so I may be thinking of this a little early, just dont want to remain confused til the last minute

thanks

It depends where you live. WHere I live one LA provides free full time (school hours) nursery education in state school based nurseries the September after a child turns 3. The neighbouring authority provides 5 half days in school based nurseries.

In both you can choose instead to use your vouchers at private nurseries or pre-schools etc.

Being in the nursery class does not guaranteee admission to that school. I chose to use a private nursery for my children as I work weekends so wanted to have some time still with them at home and doing things before they had to start school.

I know it doesn't guarentee them a place in the school (hopefully would get it anyway though if we didnt move before then because we are really close to it) but was thinking whether they would start off "behind" if they go to another nursery with only free play and the children who went to that nursery would have learned a bit and been in that better environment...?

Oh thats confusing if it varys in different areas, then does anyone know how it is in islington? half days in the school nursery sounds like it would be better than full days there

No, they won;t be behind. All nurseries/childcare settings have to follow the Early years Foundation Stage Curriculum. The main thing you find in reception classes is that if children are not used to be being left at all they may take a little longer to settle but not always.

From anecdotal data only, it would seem that school based nurseries operate more formally than community pre-schools. By that I mean where a community pre-school operates up to 10 sessions a week (with associated connecting bfast and lunch clubs) and allows it's parents to choose how many and which sessions their children attend, the school nurseries require children to attend for "all mornings" or "all afternoons" (and absences are frowned on).

It's something I looked into when our pre-school was pondering a potential move on to a school site.

I'd like to hear some more anecdotal data to the contrary though as it's still something we'd like to do in the future.

thanks both
i emailed them & they said i can go look round when hes turned two so that'll probably be the best thing to do. still interested in hearing more ppls experiences though