London prep school applications - at birth?

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Hi all,

I am a new mum-to-be and moving back to London next year. Would be very grateful if anyone could share their experience re. applying to prep schools in advance. I understand that some schools such as Pembridge one needs to apply as early as possible at birth. Could you let me know what other schools I should apply for as early as possible? Thanks in advance!!

I would choose the schools you are interested in and register with them. We registered both our children around 3months at our prep school of choice.

But, I would like to point out that even early registration does not gaurentee a place will be offered.

All the prep schools will hold assessments before offering a place. If your DC does not suit them, a place will not be offered. My son has HFA and I don't think any selective prep (and possibly non selective preps too) would take him. He challenges them too much.

While my other child will take up a place at the prep school, but I've had my eyes opened a little. Yes, the school obtains excellent grades etc., but then you would if you refuse all the kids who would challenge that!

Thanks for that - I understand that there is no guarantee but do want to maximise our chances. I'm must not sure which schools I can register at birth/early on as my research shows that some don't take registration until the year before entry. Not being in London at the moment makes it difficult to know which schools are our prep school of choice.....

All of the prep schools I looked at would accept pre-registration (£50 -£100) to get your name on the list.

So... I am in London... I can offer some advice:
What part(s) of London are you looking at?
What sort of school do you think you might like? Academic / sporty / religion / mixed or co-ed?
DO you have any views on what you would consider for senior school? (For instance, the school we chose goes from 2-18 - and from next year will go from 5 months - and that was important for us. Plus it runs a 'diamond' structure (so mixed prep and sixth, but single sex seniors)
Have you looked at the Tatler list? I've always found that to be quite realistic.

In hindsight, I would select 2-3 and register now (or soon after the birth) and then decide closer to the time when your DC is developing a personality.

The prep we chose suits my DD perfectly, but it turned out not to suit DS at all...

Do schools really accept applications before the child is even born?

Honestly that seems bonkers.

Most prep schools in NW london require registration before a childs first birthday.

If you look at the websites of the schools you are interested in, they will state their registration policy and admissions policy.

Very few schools insist on early registration.

Selective preps do not mind when you apply, as long as it is by the deadline.

Non-selective preps often use 'first come first served" to manage their list. It is probably worth making one early registration so you have a fallback place, whilst you work out what your child is like, whether you are going to move etc.

Bear in mind that non-selective schools usually ask you to accept a place and pay a deposit earlier than selectives.

One benefit of early registration in selective preps is that you will get your first choice of hours in pre-prep (before they are doing full days)