UCS pre prep thoughts?

[Maggiemootwo2]

Hello,

I wondered if any current or recent parents might be able to let me know their experience of UCS pre prep? I know every child is different but it would be great if anyone had any first hand info. We have an offer of a place and need to make a decision soon. Thank you :)

Thanks for your feedback @Ellyellyella

I absolutely see your point about proximity to Finchley Road although at the same time it is set back off the road and it's also important to consider the wider implications of travel to and from school in terms of pollution too. It's a fine balance! The fact that the kids are able to use the wider UCS campus is also a bonus given the limited space there. You are right though we should go with our gut on where he would be happiest of course.

It’s a very difficult decision to make and hard to get a true impression of anywhere - wishing you the best in whatever decision you reach. Another thought we had was where we see ourselves living in the longer term. We wanted to avoid having to move schools where possible, and tried to choose for the long term. Best of luck!

Would be great to hear from someone with firsthand experience in the Pre-prep! Please share you experiences. TIA

Although not my own child, my nephew is there and my sister is so happy with it! He is in Year 1 currently. Although they were worried about the small facilities for the pre-prep it is so warm and nurturing and from Year 3 they will have much more space. The pre-prep anyway use the facilities at the senior such as the swimming pool etc and the fields. It is really lovely there and have collected him myself and seen

@afewtoomanychoices thank you so much for your feedback. Really appreciated. I do get the sense that it’s very warm and caring.

@Maggiemootwo2 - what did you end up deciding?

My DS is going through the assessments now and I have a few questions.

Any idea how many children are selected for the second play date? What sort of things do they do at the second one? We have not ‘prepared’ our DS at all, so chances are possibly slim, but he is a very engaged and sociable guy.

We are full-time working parents - I know that they offer 8am drop off, but what are the after school provisions? Are there clubs which allow the to stay at school until 5:30/6pm?

Due to pandemic, didn’t have an opportunity to view the school and ask questions…

If your little one ended up at UCS, would be so interested to hear your feedback.

@gumnutnat Hi, We decided on UCS in the end and I have to say we are thrilled so far. Very nurturing, lovely down to earth parents and our son is loving it.

I can't comment on the 2nd round as we did our assessment right in the middle of last year's lock down so it was a bit different than usual and much smaller groups of 5. We didn't do any preparation, I think it's just a bit more a one on one with the teachers so if he's sociable I'm sure he will be fine :).

We also work full time. There aren't too many after school clubs in reception as the children are rather tired. These would only take the kids to 3.30/3.45 anyway. As you move up through the school there are more and more clubs. I doubt there any many schools that would do clubs all the way until 5.30/6pm i the first couple of years.

@Maggiemootwo2 that’s great to hear - thank you for your reply.

Thanks also for letting me know about the lack of after school provision. We have been exploring both state and private schools and can find quite a few with after school clubs, so this would definitely something we would need to factor in if we were lucky enough to be offered a place.

It sounds like a wonderful school. Glad that your little one has settled in well.