SOS! Pls help a confused Dad!! Reception/Pre-prep basic questions

[MrsJackie]

Hi all, apologies in advance but I've got a list of very basic questions and I need you kind mums to guide me a bit please. I'm just a very confused 34year old dad :(

My daughter is 1y4mo (born in October 2018), we live in Central London (Notting Hill). I understand the cutoff date is Aug 31st, thus next year comes too soon, she'll be 3+ only in September 2022).

a) When do applications open for Reception 2022?
b) How come some people apply as soon as their kids are born if applications are not open yet? i.e How early can you apply? Some people told me I'm already late, some not to worry. We are looking at some of the popular schools in London (Glendower, Garden house, Holy Cross, the Rowens). Maybe i'm late for some but ok for others?
c) Distance. Is it true that you can only apply to schools nearby? Or does it depend n the school?
c) Understand you can pick up to 6 schools in order of preference? Where do I download these application forms? I thought each school had a separate form? I'm so confused.
d) This one might not apply to a lot of people, but hopefully someone can help. As mentioned, I live (rent) in central London. I'm not sure if we are going to stick around this area or move somewhere else (Clapham, Wimbledon) next year. Should I apply to a couple schools around here and a couple say, in Wimbledon just in case? Back to previous question, can I apply to a school in Wimbledon if i'm currently nowhere near? Do they care?
e) Understand some schools have a nursery which might accept 3 years old then? i.e Doesn't necessarily mean I need to wait until she turns 4?

Many thanks for your time, hopefully I can understand the whole process a bit better!!

If you're exclusively considering independent schools then you just need to contact admissions or look at the school website for the schools you're interested in as they'll each have their own admission policy.

Some select students based on an activity day others are non selective or require early registration. Obviously you need to consider commute time to the school but an indie school won't mind where you live.

If you're thinking of State schools then you need to apply in January before your daughter starts and you can choose in order of preference but will be allocated one largely based on your current address. If you moved you'd have to apply for an in year place at whichever school had places available.

You seem to be conflating state and independent schools. Applications for state schools don't open until the academic year before the child would be starting Reception, you list choices in order of preference, and all applications received before the cut-off date in January of the year they'd be starting in September are treated equally. Reception places are announced in March(? - it's been a few years).

You can apply for as many independent schools as you like (although many of them will charge you £100 administration fee) and don't have to give a preference (several of them may ask whether they are your top choice, though). Each of them sets their own admissions policy -- in some cases date of application is the important thing, in others there's a ballot or an entrance test for everyone who applied before X date. Generally they offer places earlier than the state schools.

@PermanentlyFrizzyHairBall @TragicallyUnbeyachted that explains a lot of things. Told you I was very confused

Thanks a lot.

Just to add, I'm in Clapham and a lot of the pre-preps / private schools are oversubscribed. My neighbour applied to one when his DS was 4 weeks old and got told he's almost too late.

We applied to another when DS was 6 months old and we are on the waiting list

Uhh I’m probably quite late for a few schools then.
Are admin fees paid even if the school is completely oversubscribed? How does one find that if that’s the case? Calling the school?

Thanks!!

I was brought up in another country where children automatically go to the state school nearest them so was shocked when my son didn't get into any of the four nearest to us (SW London). The one place offered was across the borough and not a good school. So we were left six months before school due to start with no school to go to.
The nearest prep school did pretty much laugh at us when I called but I did get him into another well respected private school not that far away. Money talks after all. Call the schools you are interested in.

If your daughter is currently 1 year 4 months, she will be starting Reception in September 2023, when she has turned 4 (not 2022).

For state schools, you will need to apply for Reception about a year before, usually online through your local education authority. Check the dates, as exact cut-offs may vary between different LEAs.

Most children go to a nursery or pre-school for a year or two before starting Reception, though this isn't compulsory. Children are entitled to 15 hours funded preschool from the term after they have turned 3, which in your daughter's case would be the term starting January 2022. You need to apply directly to the nursery or pre-school, whether can be either state or private. Some nurseries have very long waiting lists, so best to get your daughters name down ASAP.

You have to pay the admin fee to go in the wait list. Most schools with a waitlist will tell you whether you are likely to be offered a place if you ask them.

There will also be years that are randomly empty. One of my children had a completely full year two years before they were due to start. The other still has room in his year if extra children wanted to join.

You are right, 2023. Many thanks I’ll get moving!!!

Thanks Regina appreciated.

Thanks everyone for the replies. So to summarise, I should:

a) Shortlist a bunch of schools (both in current and potential moving area).
b) For private/independent schools apply straight away to get a spot or at least join waiting lists. Maybe call to check in case there's no chance at all (to avoid wasting time/money). For state schools I've got to wait.
c) Start looking for nurseries as they can also have tough waiting lists. Apply as well.

Is that about right?
Let the fun begin! thanks all.

Yes you're right op. In general for the selective schools you only need apply by the deadline so getting on the list early makes no difference. For others you'll need to put your name down ASAP.

"as exact cut-offs may vary between different LEAs"

The deadline date is a national one. The date the applications window opens can vary, but itnwill,always be some time towards the start of the autumn term one year before proposed year of entry. You have to apply through the LA hose area you live in at the time of application, though you can name any school anywhere as one of your preferences. All tiebreakers based on distance will use the address from which you applied.

All applications made on time will be treated equally, but different LAs may have different rules about how they handle applications when parents move during the process. So I would recommend deciding on where younwant to live in time to have actually moved in well before applications close