when to contact schools about visits?

[calculatrice]

new to this game - will be applying for ds this coming yr for start in sep 2013. when should i be contacting schools to look around? i didn't think there was much urgency as i won't be able to apply until the autumn but i wondered if visits in the autumn term are disruptive for the schools with the hassle of new starters etc. is the summer term too early? i have no idea. thanks for your help.

We have a rather mobile population at our school, so we get visitors throughout the year. Just ask, summer term will give you a good idea of what a settled group looks like, and how much the EYFS uses their outside areas.
Never too early to look.

Look on the schools' websites. They may give you the dates of forthcoming open days, and it's best to start with one of those - any time from now onwards seems fine to me. You may be able to arrange a further visit during the school day (always a good way to get the real feel of the place), but as show arounds are resource intensive and staff are generally busy, don't count on them being able to accommodate you individually at the times you want.

If open day dates are not yet published, email and enquire.

Also keep your eye out for school fairs, concerts etc - good chance to see the school and pupils.

Any school who has their "customer" at heart is going to let you visit at any time of the year to have a look around.
Any school that comes up with we only have visits on set dates is living in a time warp and needs to understand that parents will vote with their feet given half a chance. At present in primaries there is an issue with not enough school places but there will be a time in the not so distance future when parents do have an opportunity to make decisions themselves rather than be forced to accept what is offered.

The school I work at welcomes visitors all year round, just please try and avoid the end of term. We try and arrange visits to fit in with parents but please remember the children are in 9 - 3. You would be surprised the number of parents who want to visit after work at say 6pm. Doesn't really give you much idea of what the school is like if no children there!