4+ - do you think nursery is important?

[MrsNuckyThompson]

Thinking ahead to 4+ competitive entry.

Do you think having been in a nursery / pre-school setting before the assessment days is likely to help? We currently have a nanny and DS is home, although he goes to a variety of classes and playgroups to socialise. I just wonder whether children who are used to a classroom setting, sitting quietly in groups and talking to teachers are probably better placed?

We're likely to send him at least a few mornings either way at age 3, so that it is a softer landing into school. But really that would be too late if assessments for 4+ are at around the same time.

I was a Teaching Assistant in primary schools for twenty-five years, but always in LEA schools, so I know nothing of the private sector.

A good State school will teach children just as well, if not better, than some private schools, which sometimes may be more interested in their profits than the care of children. Our own son went to a nearby village primary school, then a good grammar school, and he was successful at university.

At one of my primary jobs, I sometimes worked in the Nursery, and a good nursery can prepare and extend children in a variety of ways. But, perhaps not all nurseries are as good as they should be.

I give below a couple of links that may help you:

www.londonpreprep.com/2014/02/preparing-for-the-4-assessment/

www.londonpreprep.com/2011/08/what-to-expect-for-the-pre-prep-school-assessment/

Jesus Christ is this a thing?

Firstly, any nursery is going to focus on play. If they don't then they're crap to be honest. There's not going to be any formal sitting at desks or working in groups. Have you actually visited any nurseries?

Secondly, are you seriously considering coaching a 3 year old? THREE?? Because if so that's just.... Well it's not what I would think is in the best interests of a three year old.

Leaving aside the chucking money away paying thousands for a pre school which will be the exact same as a free, state nursery, why would you coach a child into prep? Honestly any prep school cannot realistically think that they can tell anything lasting about a 4 year old so why they bother I cannot fathom...
Plus three year old are.... Three..... So, how exactly are you going to force him to act like the type of child this nutter school is going to want?

I think you're absolutely bonkers.

Op I read on posts a while ago - try and search for this -lots of tips like....can the child sit to task?

I read that sometimes the school not only watch child and interview parents, sometimes they go and watch the child for themselves in their current nursery setting there was a whole list on what they are supposed to be able to do as well....

Vital.

My chatty, interested daughter, who loved to play and was at a "normal" nursery, didn't get into anywhere at 4+. Tutored her for a year and she got into a very good school, which actually isn't that pushy in their approach, at 5. Same school turned her down at 4 though she is a perfect fit for it and now very happy. I am certain that had she been in a nursery that was slightly more focused she'd have got in at 4 - and been happier as she was pretty bored in the last year before school.

The prep nurseries know what kids will be asked to do on the day and spend most of the 3 months before the assessment practising for it - look at the results on the website for Clowns nursery/manor house pre school in NW11 if you want an idea of what a feeder nursery looks like.

In the end, with 10 applications per place, it is impossible for the schools to "see the inner child" "look past the tutoring" and all the other stuff they spout. I know in real life a tutor who posts on here and she routinely gets 80% second rounds and 60% places for these schools, when they generally call back about half and offer to 10%.

I wouldn't send my child to any Nursery where they "sat quietly in groups talking to teachers" as that's just not what U5s should be doing / are wired for.

I do wish there were a separate area for Private school isues, so I could hide it and not have to bite my lip about the very idea of "assessments" for a 4 yr old starting school.... any chance MNHQ ?

Would that be a good idea?

It's so beyond ridiculous that I really do have trouble keeping my opinion to myself. And I work in a private school ffs!

Forwarding, we live in an area where state primaries are hugely hugely over subscribed. Despite being close to two good state primaries (and assuming we won't fake a religion) we are looking at a very uncertain situation. A neighbour's child was placed at the primary 8th closest to her house.

We also have some private options which are also heavily over subscribed. So do I want my child to have the best chance of getting in? Hell yes. I'm not talking about coaching him, just about giving him a broader range of experience.

Forwarding, generally the 'Education' topic is used for private school stuff. I never look in there!

Dd1 attended a private nursery right from 9mths right up to just before she started school (2.5 days a week). The pre-school year was lots of fun but she also learnt a lot about problem solving, patience, sitting quietly when asked, waiting her turn, interaction etc. All the sorts of things I would expect any nursery, private or state, to do at that age.

She started private school this year and had an assessment 'interview' aged 4.3. It lasted 20-30ins and she had to do some puzzles, chat with the teacher, look and talk about a book, all fairly relaxed and not at all intimidating. They also got a copy of her report from nursery/pre school which also commented on her verbal, written, numerical skills.

We wanted to go down the private school route as state schools in the city where we are vary quite a bit and our catchment school did not have great reports. It's virtually impossible to get an out of catchment place at a better school.

We didn't coach our daughter in any way, the nursery were already doing an excellent job of preparing her for school anyway, be it state or nursery. I do think being in an school-like environment might her helped her at the assessment though. But really, who knows!

The government are about to start bench line assessing 4 year olds 'ability' using a standardised, computerised, non age-adjusted test.

I think that makes the way selective preps go about 4+ look positively holistic.

Forwarding, I am at your saying you work in a private school.
Your posts in this thread referring to the school as a 'nutter' school and the OP as 'bonkers' are totally at odds with that. Why are you working in a private school if you fundamentally disagree with them and their selection process?

OP - nurseries are important, there will be ones with relationships with the schools, they will be familiar with the environment and the assessment process so it's worth checking. I don't think my DC were prepped as such it just helped that the nursery knew the score.

I totally agree that the whole assessment thing at 4 is mad

So is bankrupting yourself to buy a house in catchment, or living in a tiny flat when you could afford a house that wasn't near the school

So is going to church for 7 years when you don't believe in God - I know someone who did exactly that. Stopped the day that her youngest got the reception place.

Everyone does what they think is best for their child.

Exactly Green Fizzy, we are living in very strange times school wise.

Op both support threads 3=, 4 + ETC are on here now 2014 and 2015 lots of useful info about it all on there.

who said I fundamentally disagree with them and their selection process?

I think selecting 4 year olds is foolhardy and ridiculous.

There are also such things as non selective private schools as well, obviously.

Whether or not you think it is ridiculous, it is the reality for both of the schools available in my area, not involving a huge 'commute' to school. Of course there are non - selective schools as well, but not where I live and therefore I need to try to work with the system as it exists.