Central London Primaries - state or private

[CityGirlGoesRural]

Help! I'm new to Mumsnet but really need some advice on what to do about enrolling my DS into primary school. He's still only 16 months, but I'm terrified that I may already have missed the boat for getting him into either a state primary or pre-prep in either Central London (Westminster or K&C) or Wandsworth/Clapham area. Is this the case, or do I have a little time left? Unfortunately, I'm currently living in the West Country so don't have a circle of friends with the relevant knowledge of timing, or even of which are the 'good' schools. And will all the places in decent private schools already be taken, as seems to be the case with nurseries where you needed to have put his name down within seconds of birth to have any hope?
But the good news is that my OH uses a company flat in SW3 so I do have a relevant address I can use for applications - but how far do schools take proximity as a factor when assessing applications?
Another part of the problem is that I simply don't know whether I'll be in London or the South West when DS turns 4, so I need to hedge my bets.
Sorry for all these questions, but I'm desparately confused, not to mention anxious and just a bit terrified.

For state schools you don't need to aplply yet. The application forms go out at the beginning of the calendar year that your child will be starting (I think it was Feb/March to start in September). Private is a whole different ball game. I would phone the ones you are interested in and find out, some have the childrens names down from birth (or even earlier) so it depends. I am not sure that your OH using a company flat is going to make you eligible for state schools in that area, you have to actually be permenantly resident to apply (they will ask for proof such as council tax bill, and may well want to do a home visit).

Thanks covenoveneer. That kind of sets my mind at rest. I'm not entirely sure what the deal is on the flat - it's quite possible he's got his name on the relevant docs rather than the company's name, and I've been nagging him to get us on the electoral register. However, if I don't have to do anything for another 3 years as he doesn't turn 4 until June 09, I have some breathing space.
But it sounds like I'll have to hit the phones and get my chequebook out for the others, which would at least get our foot in the door, just in case.
Gah! It's a lot more straightforward down here in the west.

Yeah, check the private schools asap. A lot of them that take kids at four, just take them on a first-come, first-served basis, so getting yourself on the list nowish is wise. (Get ready to spend a couple of hundred pounds per school list, though - you'll do tours first, right?)

Oh yes, definitely - just because a school's private and the yummy mummies seem to go for it, doesn't automatically make it any good! I'll be wiping the mud off my wellies and heading into town soon for a bit of retail therapy and to check these places out, wearing more appropriate footwear and labels that don't say Barbour!

In my outer London borough you have to apply to the borough by December the previous year to get into state school reception classes. The council website will state this. Most London state schools have part time nurseries attached and then can usually start the term after they turn 3. You usually apply to the school directly for this and some let you do it any time, some ask you to wait till they are 2. Again the council websites should tell you.