DS is 2.5 too early to view primary schools?

[PhilippeFlop]

I'm really torn about which primary school to send DS to. The local school is a military/forces based school and we are a civilian family. The whole area is very "us and them" we cannot go to the local mums and toddlers group/go to the community centre events etc so this has put me off sending him there. Ideally we would move before DS starts school but financially, this isn't an option.

The other choices are 3 very small village schools which seem lovely but my first choice is over subscribed so want to look at other options.

Is now too early to have a look around?

We went and looked a year early at loads and then went back a year later to our shortlisted ones so I would think it's fine.

Go when you want. Open days are coming up.

No, it's fine to start looking now. I think I started looking when my son was 2 - partly because I was pregnant and knew I might not have much time for at least few months after the second was born.

There are often parents of 2yo children at open days.

Some people do actually base their house buying/renting on the schools, so want to visit the schools in good time. No good buying a house next door to a great school then find out when you visit that you don't like it at all!
Others are just curious or anxious.

Just bear in mind that you will probably want to re-visit next year. Schools can change fairly quickly!

I think it depends what you think you will gain. If you plan for private education if state is no good than I would go now and do my sums and see how enrolment in privat schools work.

If you have no choice than state I wouldn't do it unless you are prepared to move to a totally different area. In the end you only have preferences, not the right to demand a certain school.

Be prepared by checking this year's admission booklet which has the distances over the last years in it to see which schools are realistic for you. If there are huge differences in the distances from one to the other year check it out, we had one year where all but 15 children were siblings. I found there is no real sense in seeing schools which are too far out and you like them so much that the ones you are able to get in will always fall short.

Yes go especially if there is a school nursery you may want to use. Also pop along to things like summer fetes and Christmas fairs as it gives you more of a feel for the ethos of the schools