Pre-prep and nurseries in Chelsea - HELP please!

[kristenchelsea]

Hi,

I'll be relocating to London with my three little ones (4 y.o., 3 y.o. and 1 month) early next year. I've been trying to source for schools for my two older boys and boy, have I hit the wall here. It's so competitive and I'm getting very discouraged.

We've received positive news about availability in Thomas's Kensington and Redcliffe School. Would anyone be able to let me know any reviews of the schools? Is there any other school I could perhaps approach?

Also, is there any nursery that anyone could recommend for my 3 y.o.?

Thanks ever so much from this flummoxed mum!

Have you tried posting in MN local kristen?

Knightsbridge school and eaton square school are really very good.. Foundation stage in Marlborough Primary School is excellent.. Marlborough is a community school.. In foundation stage it has excellent class teachers... As an option you can consider it...

your 1mo and 3yo can both go to Kiddi Caru nursery, empress gate from the beginning of next year. They take babies from 3 months on and are open all year round - ideal for working parents. That can be an option...?

Redcliffe School takes children from 2.5 so your 3 year old should be able to attend. It's an excellent school. Thomas's is fantastic too but then you would need another nursery. Maybe sort out school first and then choose nursery nearby as you don't want one nursery in Chelsea combined with thomas's kensington in my opinion.

Also have a look at this article on relocating to London with children, the site might give you ideas on schools as well:

www.londonpreprep.com/2013/01/relocating-to-london-with-children/

@JiltedJohnsJulie: I haven't yet. Just got on the forum and feeling my way around. I'll go do that now, thanks very much for the suggestion! :)

@Btfly: I am very keen on Knightsbridge School but they unfortunately do not have any vacancies for my son's age group. Still hoping something will crop up though. I'll check Eaton Square, thank you.:)

@bumpandbeyond: Thanks for the suggestion, I'll explore that option too. :)

@sanam2010: I'm dabbling with exactly that dilemma - whether I should place them in Redcliffe (to save myself the trouble of ferrying them to two different locations) or to go the Thomas's route. Decisions decisions! :(

Welcome to Mn then and I hope you find what you are looking for soon

Exactly which school years are you looming for - will your 4 year old turn 5 before the end of August, in which case he would be in reception now? Or is he just newly 4 in which case second year of nursery. And same for the 3 year old - second or first year of nursery? (And I assume you are are coming this academic year). If your eldest is reception age then yes, you will find this very hard as chelsea schools are horribly over subscribed at reception and there hasn't been time for many people to leave yet. Ironically you best bet is Americans going home ! Thomas's Kensington is very good, as I believe is Radcliffe. You need to phone everyone and keep phoning so you are first in touch if a space opens up. Hill house is large which makes it a good target (and v international, so ditto). Also on your list could be cameron house , garden house, eaton square, Eton house, and The Hampshire school

Just re read your post and it sounds as though you are in good shape for the 4 year old. Nurseries I know locally are chelsea kindergarten in park walk, tadpole's also in park walk and ringrose in st Luke's walk , all very nice , but not madly near Thomas's Kensington. Perhaps ladybird's is nearer?