Private school for KS1 (and below) and state school for KS2+

[GraceandTheodore]

Would this work out ok? I absolutely hate the nurseries offered locally have visited and all I saw were lots of young ladies on their phones, I appreciate not all nurseries are like this but that's what I saw the one where I didn't see that, I spoke to them about my 1 year old and feeding and she said "well she'll learn to eat properly here" (because she doesn't use a fork?!)

I hated it I really did.

Lovely prep school that's been going for years and has such a lovely family feel about it, but still a nursery environment, offers a nursery for children from 18 months and is a reasonable price but you have to pay 1k and you get it back after KS1. We would then plan on moving her to state school. Would this be okay? Or would leaving her there for those few years make us want her to stay in private (something we probably just wouldn't do)???

Thanks

Wrong way round in my opinion.

I think you're more likely to want to stay in private than she will be, young children don't really tend to notice that much.

I know but we will not be sending our children private. It's something we just couldn't afford for the duration of their schooling (secondary school fees are around 20k a year), so that's not an option.

So it would be okay to do this then?

Would be cheaper to sacrifice the 1k, not pay fees for YR and Y1 and Y2, and apply for reception at the normal time. This gives you best chance of getting the school you want if you are in an oversubscribed area.

We did think about that, maybe you're right.

Why not use the Prep to the end of Y6 then move to state at a natural point of change?

Or use a childminder or nanny before Reception?

I don't think I would have moving a child after Y2 as Plan A (unless it was a natural and unavoidable move between Infant and Junior school). Changing schools is not ideal.

Or, yes, just sacrifice the 1k.

Lots of people I know did what you are thinking of, it worked fine for them. We also had ds in the nursery at prep school but he has carried on there and is now KS2. I did look at other nurseries but they weren't a patch on the one at the prep school.

ASn issue MIGHT arise at the start of KS2, because the local state schools will all be full at that point, with 30 per class.

If someone moves (e.g. state to private) at the end of Y2, and there;'s no waiting list, you're fine. However, if there is a waiting list and you're not at the top of it [remember it is ordered by e.g. distance from school, not time on the list], then you won't get the place. And of course no-one might move.

Classes CAN go over 30 in Y3, and you may find that historically the school you would like to move to does. However, if lots of people apply / are on the waiting list and appeal it may be hard to prove that you are one of the 1 or 2 with the greatest case for the place, as the school won't be able to admit everyone.

I might be more tempted to send them to the nursery until school age, then transfer to state for reception. At that point, you have the same chance of a place as anyone else who lives in your house / has the same faith [whatever the over-subscription criteria are] of getting into your preferred school. £1k is a LOT less than you will spend on 3 years' fees.

I agree with poster saying it's wrong way around.
I've seen in the past DC struggling in private moved to state and become top set.(Obviously depend on school.) What if your dc was opposite?
If they thrive in private and doing really well, do you consider moving to state which may have less resources to stretch able children?
In ks1, the range of ability may not be significantly big. In Ks2, start to make huge difference if the school is equiped to cater or not.
Agree better to apply to good local state at reception, rather than take a chance at vacancy at yr3.

Childminder/Nanny or sacrifice the deposit and move at YR. I don't think there will be any long term benefit if she only does KS1 at the private school, and the longer she is there the harder it will be to move her, as she would be settled at school and would have formed firmer friendships at the end of year 2.

I went to a settling in day at the nursery, hated it and found a fantastic childminder. She wasn't exactly who I would have chosen at some levels, but she was basically excellent and my kids loved her. Save your money, and find an individual who will care for your child.

OP, you say you don't like the nursery because you saw lots of young ladies on the phone.... are they Mums or nursery teachers?
If it's nursery teachers, it's no question, you should avoid. But if it's the Mums, it may have nothing to do with kids/environment at the nursery. You don't needs to be friends with other parents, as long as nursery itself is good/great and your dc enjoys it.

We have mostly "OFSTED Outstanding" KS1 provision where I live as well as good pre-preps. With the 'better' state schools being over-subscribed I have known quite a few families pop their children in to the Indie pre-preps and sit on the waiting lists at the state schools. Others have put their children in nursery only (so 3 & 4 year olds) and switch at YR. We have infant/junior set-up in many schools here so there is a bit of movement at the end of year 2.

One thing to be aware of is that many of the private nurseries will have LONG holidays (9 weeks at summer/2 weeks+ at Xmas & Easter etc) whereas many nurseries just shut for a public holidays.

Good luck with your decision-making.

If you're not planning private long term. Much, much better to move at age 4 into the state school reception.

At the time you'll feel emotional about it and have a major wobble about her leaving her little friends but unless you're in it for the long haul it's better to rip the plaster off at a time when there's a mass move to reception.