Offered place on waiting list

[JustWriter]

Hi, my daughter recently started reception, she’s been there for a week, however I’ve had a email saying she’s been offered a place at a closer school. Ive not properly seen the school as they said I couldn’t view it unless I had a place when I was on the waiting list. The problem is I’m thinking is it worth moving schools when I’ve got all her uniform and she’s already started. then I’m thinking if I don’t take the place I might regret it either way it’s a big decision. The schools she’s at is a good school however the other one is good too and is closer and in my area not sure what to do as it’s put me in a difficult position.

How long do you have to decide? Definitely go and see the school if you can. If both are good schools, being closer does make a big difference. You’ll have 7 years of school runs to deal with, and when it’s cold and rainy, a longer commute can be miserable. Plus the children in her class will be more local.

They have given me till tomorrow before 5pm so not really giving me much time to decide it’s put a lot of pressure on me when I haven’t even seen the school. The one she’s at now is a 8 minute drive and is quite a distance to walk. It’s a small school and the classes are two classes of 24 classes and the new school is 30 children and it is only a 10 minute walk, the school she’s at now is a nightmare to park and really struggle most days the parking is that bad they have ticket officers some days. I’m trying to not take parking into consideration as I know most schools are bad but just not sure what is best to do. I take it if I don’t take the place right away I’ll be taken off the waiting list.

You will be at this school for at least 6 years- longer if there is a sibling.
she will have forgotten this blip if you decide to change school - my son changed in year 1 and he was immediately ok,

so decide if the new option school is better for you, logistically or culturally.
and if it is move.
gift the old uniform to the school, so a kid who has less can have it, and embrace the new one.

Walking to school is a great way to get to know school pals and parents, to make play date pals, and pick up buddies.

move school!

Yes I agree walking to school would be a nice option to have whereas the schools shes at now would be too far to walk. I’ve rang the school to get a viewing asap so hopefully that will give me an idea. Just panicking she doesn’t like it and she can’t get back in the old one as it’s oversubscribed and I’m no longer in the catchment

Don't underestimate the parking situation - it is a factor as it adds to the stress of the morning. Sounds like the new school is the right choice, but hopefully you can see it before deciding. You'd probably feel more relaxed about the decision as well once you've seen it.

Having a school in walking distance is a huge bonus.
I'd definitely go and see the school and move unless there are huge alarm bells.

Just panicking she doesn’t like it and she can’t get back in the old one
She hasn't been at her current school long enough to know if she likes it yet. So you could decide not to move her and find out in a couple of weeks she hates current school. It's a risk either way.

I'd move her. Do it quick. Less distribution.

If you'll be walking to the closer school then that's a huge factor vs 7 years of parking stress.

Buying new uniform is a bit of a pain - hopefully some can be reused? Don't worry about the settling in - it's such early days and within a few weeks no-one will even remember she wasn't there for the first week.

Go and see it, unless you hate it then move her.

See the school tomorrow but with a view to moving her. We went for the closest (only walkable school) and I’ve flapped all summer that we should move to a further away school because all their friends are going there. First school run today and I’m pleased we stuck with the closest one. Driving/ parking for 7 years will be a faff.

Yes that is true, we always leave the house in reasonable time and today ended up 5 minutes late bit ridiculous they open the doors at 8:40 and they close at 8:45 and since her being late 5 minutes they sent me an email saying about attendance and lates I’m sure it was sent to all parents but they probably didn’t even start the registration and was marked as late all due to the parking nightmare

that Is true she’s only had 3 full days but did attend the nursery part time so is familiar with it. although most the time she didn’t go and they was very funny about me not sending her when she was poorly etc

"Reasonable time" has to included allowing for the "parking nightmare" though.

You probably need to be leaving home about 15 minutes earlier at school run time and even earlier if it's raining (which will then mean you are there stupidly early; welcome to the school run).

Much better to avoid all this if you can :)

True 😂on pick up people get there at 2pm so you really can’t win how early you arrive but definitely be less stressful if we could walk some days guess I will have to see. Ive made an appointment tomorrow to have a look around with my daughter and see what we think

Look round. It is still early days so moving her should be fine. Can you re-use most uniform items? Non-branded stuff could be re-used then just donate branded stuff to old school and see if new school has any second hand stock if cost is an issue.

I’d move. Closer would be a lot easier