Is nursery attendance of some kind important?

[StarlightDicKenzie]

We are moving area two weeks into April into a very oversubscribed school area and dd will miss getting a place at a state nursery.

All the private ones have such conditions attached to the 15 hours of funding plus charge top ups as well as holidays that it will cost us almost £300 per month for her JUST to attend roughly 15 hours.

I'm thinking that there are better things to do with that money, which could benefit her.

Fwiw we used to live in a very deprived area and she has been attending preschool since her 2nd birthday. She is very independent and socially advanced. In some ways my heart bleeds for her not to have a peer group, especially as she is a Sept birthday, but on the other hand.....£300 when I don't need child are to bring in an income, and personally HAVE no income.

Maybe see if there are local childminders that provide the free 15 hours? Otherwise I'd just find some drop-ins (Children's centre?) and clubs/classes you can go to regularly.

We don't need childcare, although a bit might be nice. It is more that I want to do the right thing for her.

Childminder would only work if what was offered was more than I could offer her myself and some kind of prep for Reception.

Presumably a childminder could offer the opportunity for her to socialise and get involved in activities without you, which is half the point of pre-school.

i don't think so no, apart from giving you a bit of a break!

i know several people whose children never attended nursery/pre-school and settled in just fine at school despite never having been regularly away from their mothers

does she start school this september? if so i would just let her have alovely long holiday frm it all beforehand
if she starts next year or year after or whatever then I'd maybe look at going on a waiting list for a pre-school that suits you?

Due to start nursery Sept 13. Pulling her out of her preschool next week where she is in a quiche of 4 girls who hold hands all morning

It's her second preschool. I suppose we could just go on the waiting lists of local states and see what happens.

I could blimmin well buy her a pony and lessons instead for that kind of money.

She's in a quiche?
Sounds worrying.

Nursery waiting lists here are based on the age of the children, with the oldest given priority so depending on where she would be on the list she might still get a place, even if you only put her name down now.

If she is a September birthday, she may well get a place at the over-subscribed nursery as she will be one of the oldest, which can push her up the list in terms of priority.

I would apply for the state nursery/ies and see what happens.

x-post Panda

Sorry, due to start Sept 12.

Oh thank you. Although the published criteria for allocation of places says nothing about age. Is that just for waiting lists then?

She's 9th Sept.

yeah we have the same here where oldest children get priority, but if she is due to start school this september I don't think you'll have much luck unless someone leaves tbh

I think it's important for some children, not for others. Both of mine went to the state nursery attached to the primary they would go to. I think it was good for both of them, but more important for ds, he can be highly strung and without the familiarity of the setting and friendships he had built up I thing he would have struggled in Reception. He was pretty unsettled when his nursery group increased from about 10 children to about 30 in the January.

Dd sounds more like your dd, we were more erm laid back about her nursery attendance and she was fine, is she your first/only? I only ask because with dd we tried to enjoy the freedom of being able to do what we want, when we want before being locked into school hours/holidays. I was pg with ds so we knew we had a hell of a long time of that ahead.

Sunscorch

Due to start nursery sept 12 and reception sept 13.

Sorry for confusion.

No, dd is my second. Ds is reception age so we are already locked into school terms. He attends a special school so dd can't get a place on sibling basis.

Apply right away then- schools are currently in the process of allocating places for this September.

So she is 3 now and will be 4 this Sept?

If so, she stands a good chance of gaining a place, as long as the places are not yet allocated and you live fairly close by.

Are there any playgroups or preschool run in village halls that sort of thing.

Tend to be just for the 3 hours session and run by a committee.

Once you are in the area you may here of more options - also try your Local Authority childcare services dept.

We currently live 60 miles away from the school. We will live on it's doorstep on 23rd April. Closing date for application is 30th March.

Been through the whole LA list of alternatives. None where you can get free 15 hours

I could see if there are any larger childminding businesses where there might be children her own age.

Yes, she'll be 4 in Sept.

sorry, totally misunderstood.

Presumably you've spoken to them and explained that you're moving house just after the deadline for applicants?
If so then I would def apply and ask to go on a waiting list if she isn't offered a place, children may well drop out or move away

I would apply giving your new address and the dates you will be moving.

Actually I haven't spoken to them. The published criteria is very clear and they are expecting more siblings than spaces this year anyway (4 form entry for reception but just 22nursery places). I don't mind other school nurseries though but still have address problem.

No harm in applying regardless and sitting on waiting list for one/all of the I suppose!?

Tethersend, yes, good idea. I suppose I could investigate when the allocation is made and if after moving date perhaps not worry about it.

If you will have exchanged contracts or signed tenancy agreement by the application date I would apply with your new address and attach a copy as evidence.

My LA accepted that as evidence for school places, so hopefully the nursery will too.