How do you decide?

[bridgetjones1]

on a suitable nursery/primary school when you can't view them? Currently looking for my twin girls, they would start next Easter, there's a couple I'm looking at but I would so like to go and see them and meet some teachers to get "that feeling"

Any tips on what made you decide which one to go for?

Are you wanting a school nursery? Will they be 3? You can apply individually to as many as you like for nursery and hopefully you can view them before you need to accept. It's not centralised like Reception. Also, a nursery place doesn't usually give you priority for Reception, so you could move then if needed.

Just worth mentioning not all school nurseries take children at Easter and where I am, you are in theory meant to have applied by 15th Jan 2021, although the deadline us irrelevant if they have places left.

In terms of deciding, do you know other local parents to chat to? Are there school tours on their website? Which ones will realistically offer you a place?

yes they'll be 3 by next Easter. A couple of the schools who I've spoken to have both said they do Easter intakes. I've applied for 2 already, they did say that they were hoping to do in person tours later on in the year so fingers crossed i'll be able to view them.

In terms of other parents in the area, I don't really know anyone. I'm an older mum at 41 and most of my friends live out of area and already have much older children so I feel a bit like I'm thrashing about in the wilderness lol

That's the problem with lockdown for so long and not having the ability to go to any playgroups and meet other parents I suppose.

First of all, look at what school your DC would actually get into. Nursery schools don’t always have admission criteria. Mostly first come first served other than send children. Schools do. They could admit on catchment or religion etc. So what primary schools will you get into?

Then work back to nursery. It’s not guaranteed that attending the nursery at a school trumps religion or catchment for entry to the primary school even if the nursery school is attached to one. This might not matter but some parents like the continuity of nursery through to YR at the same school. If you value this, check out the schools.

If the nursery school is separate, then choose whatever you like. I would look at outdoor facilities (you might get to look by walking by) and look at their web sites. I know it’s a huge shame you cannot visit but I would want to see a stimulating curriculum, children learning through play and happy engaged children!

Thanks for your reply @PresentingPercy. The school which is closest to us, isn't a school I would wish them to go to due to the poor ofsted report. The main criticism is that teachers expectations of children are too low, therefore they don't push them to do better. Luckily we have quite a few schools within a short distance from us.

There are 2 main schools that I've been looking at. One is a CoE that I've heard very good reports about. I spoke to the nursery teacher and got a very good vibe from her.

The 2nd school has an absolutely amazing outdoor play area, but other than that I know very little about it. Both schools are within 0.4-0.7 miles away and are both rated as good with ofsted.

I've put my DT's names down for both schools and hopefully later on in the year I'll be able to at least look around the grounds

Make sure you can actually get into the schools you like for YR.If they are over subscribed and you are not in catchment you might not get a place. You might have to take your local school or, worse, one you did not went further away. So look very closely at the admission info for the schools you like and work out of your DT will get a place. If it looks unlikely consider where you need to live.

School based preschools often only intake in September after third birthday so you may need to check their policy. You are not guaranteed a place at reception and will need to apply again.

When was the poor ofsted report made? Schools, particularly infant schools can turn things around relatively quickly with the right input and support.

So, check the date of the ofsted and check any changes of senior personnel. Check the school website and see if you can find their action plan for improvement. In addition check also the admission criteria of the other schools you like, especially the C of E one, it might not matter for nursery entrance but could be a blow if you find they aren’t eligible for reception entry after nursery.

The main thing to look at in schools is quality if teaching. You really don’t want flashy outside space but poor teaching.

If an Ofsted is poor, have there been monitoring visits? The improvement plan would tell you what they intend to do it not if it has been done or done well. There can often be turmoil as schools move to be better schools. New practices have to be embedded. Eg stretching the brighter children. It’s not a quick fix and it’s rarely about money. It’s about quality teaching and ethos. This could well be changing but it’s difficult to tell. Good luck looking.

My DDs school is cofe and you're supposed to be baptised to go, DD isn't but that was purely by fluke as they're usually oversubscribed with baptised to get in. It was my top preference and by some miracle she got in so definitely check the admissions criteria.

Yes. You normally have to tick the boxes.