what age do i need to choose school?

[Jhas]

My DS1 is about to turn two and already people are asking what primary school i have chosen for him!!! I have only just chosen a pre=school....am i missing something?

He will start the sept after he turns 4 and you will need to apply by the jan before that- so plenty of time to investigate!!

phew! is there a longer application process for the better schools though do you know?

private or state?

No, private will be different, but state all the same. ( dates may differ county to county, your LEA will give you the info)

When my dc's were pre-school, I was told you had to put your name down at the school to get a place, when I phoned up the school I was told this was nonsense and made no difference to places.

"choice" - ha when it comes to state schools, it's a mere illusion. You put down the 6 preferences on the form and hope you get the first one.

Or go private.

creature - there speaks a Londoner! Some areas get a paltry three! Agree on the rest though

if i had the money to go private then wouldn't be worried, although full time preschool is same price in bristol as some of the private schools!!!! so only doing 2 half days! right well at least this means i am not as disorganised as i feared! :)

You will need to work out when your DS starts school.

You need to start looking for dates of open days the september before that (i.e. a full year beforehand), then apply by national application date (around 15 Jan).

You have loads of time .

In the state sector there is often no 'choice'! Most schools in large towns/cities are over subscribed so you have to put the school that you are closest to as your first choice and hope that there isn't a massive baby boom that year or a high volume of siblings! If you're not in the 'catchment' area of a good school now then you have time to move to ensure a better chance of getting in. (another Londoner!)

Jhas, the free 15 hours should reduce preschool costs.

And yes Amanda, I suppose I'm lucky that I can put 6 down but I live in a catchment area black hole ie not in the catchment for any...!

We were in London too. Hence why we moved...

Shit, isn't it

Cant afford to move :( I think when the dc are approaching secondary, we'll move then.

Choice of school is a myth- it should say choice of school if room.

CreatureRetorts I am looking forward to the 15 hours free in Jan 2015....Seems like an age away! I have a 12 week old too! I wish the government would lower the age to two. They don't seem to want to help us back to work at all!

There is some funding available for 2 year olds, but it depends on the parents being eligible for certain benefits.