What age do you apply to prep schools

[user64728827]

Hi all,
i’ve never posted on here but have been lurking around for about a year!
Me and DH just had our first DS who is now a week old. We recently went out for coffee with some old friends who have two DC, one who has just started at nursery at her prep school and a DS who is a couple of weeks older than our DS.

We got onto the topic of school and they mentioned how they applied for the waiting list at their kids school as soon as they were born. It’s got me quite worried that I should be thinking about schools but it’s been stressful enough having our DS and adjusting that I can’t deal with the stress of looking for a school yet. I feel very overwhelmed already and have only looked at few earlier this evening. I was wondering at age you applied for your child’s school.

Me and DH would like DS to have a private education but can anyone recommend any schools in the Richmond area?

OP, it really depends on the school.

Some schools limit the numbers that can apply and admission is primarily determined by date of registration so once their registration lists are full you can't get a place. Some of these schools you can register for at birth while others don't allow registration until some time after (like 1 year or more etc). Schools like this tend to be mixed ability.

Other schools (typically the most academically selective) you register your interest in the autumn the year before they'd start and the date of registration plays no part in the decision as long as its before the cut-off deadline.

If you don't know already, its probably worth just looking at the policies of the private schools near you to see which if any require / allow registration from birth.

I don't know Richmond so can't advise but where I live its a mix of admission types so you just have to check.

Good luck!

Thanks OP! Have been looking at a few so will check out the policies before applying. Just finding it stressful at the minute!

I really applaud the schools that have changed the policy so that you can't register until a year or so after your baby is born. These first few months are stressful enough without having to worry about waiting lists for primary school. Congratulations and I'm sure you'll find a good option.