Nurseries, Independent Schools and Moving Dilemma

[Belaria]

Dear Wise Ladies,

Today is another day that I woke up to "Independent schools, moving, nursery, being a toddler, pressure..."

My DD is nearly 9 months old. I had no idea that we should/could apply to the independent schools even when she was in the womb! After a long time research, we applied Ken Prep, Falkner House, Glendower and I believe we will register to Thomas' Fulham and Francis Holland (still reading about). These are the ones in our list, if you have any other suggestions, I would love to hear about them.

We are currently living in Canary Wharf and we will move to the area for her education for sure. When we were talking about this, I hit the wall as I didn't know there were nurseries "feeding" those schools! (I think you got that we are not from UK)

So now, what did you do, if you were not living in the area? Or what would you do? Should we move next year and try to get into one of those nurseries (they should be doing something differently, right?) But then if she gets into a school which is not close to that nursery? Should I send her to a nursery here and wait till she gets accepted (hopefully) to one of those schools as nothing is 100% for sure.

I desperately need advice. I am a bit panicked and I am an over-thinker (with anxiety issues unfortunately), so I make my life miserable to be honest. I just want to give her the best I can.

I am looking forward to hearing your experiences and advice, thanks in advance!

Send her to a good nursery where you are. No, there isn't anything done differently at feeder nurseries, it's just that they have close links with the desired schools. Not guaranteed entry.

So better your DD stays calm, somewhere familiar and has opportunities to do Stuff (deliberately left vague, because about anything can be 'educational' depending on how you go about it)

I saw your other thread.

Your daughter just needs to develop well for her age. That can be supported by any good nursery.

I’d also say that if you move somewhere less obvious than Fulham or Kensington, you’ll find excellent schools that aren’t necessarily that crazy for getting into. My most local one is Seaton House (No 1 on the Times Parent Power list and their prep school of the Year). There’s none of the crazieness described above to get in. And no right nurseries either.