What questions should I be asking, viewing pre-prep for 3yr old

[CherandDionne]

Hello, we are visiting some pre-preps in Herts/Bucks. What questions should I ask the nursery and school? Also, any recommendations? I have recently moved here and wasn't privately educated, so unsure of where to start. Thank you

Who owns the school and how are any profits reinvested ? Some schools have private ownership or private equity investors- the profits go into their pocket. Some schools ate trusts and all profits are reinvested in the school. Pick the second type, that way at least when the fees are raised you know it’s all going to the school.

What are you doing to prepare for reduced birth rates and effects of VAT - how is the school going to stay viable? A lot of private prep schools are going to be at risk of closure over the next few years, you want to pick one that is solid and has a plan.

Will my child get an automatic place at the prep school if they have been at the pre prep?

Are you selective ? Personally I am not a fan of selective preps - they tend to be less experienced with SEN which can appear later on, and they also attract the pushier parents!

How many kids in a class?

What wraparound care is offered? What clubs?

What senior schools do the kids go on to ? Watch out if eg they mostly go to boarding and that’s not what you want - it may mean they don’t do much prep for 11+ entry.

That’s my starter list anyway 😆

@CherandDionne I was going to say some similar things to @minipie I would also add:
Is there a TA in each class (more often it is becoming one TA shared between 2 classes in independent schools).
How do they prepare for transitions: EYFS to KS1 and then KS1 to KS2?
What is their behaviour policy?
How do they ensure all children are making progress?

I have made a checklist for parents when they visit schools on their open days. Happy to receive a DM and I'll send it.

Yes, could you please DM. That would be brilliant.

Thank you both.

Are you going for a nursery class or reception? If nursery, I’d be asking some pretty probing questions about how formal the education is, provision for wrap around care (if you need it) and if there is holiday provision. The prep school my child is at has a pre-school attached. From what I’ve seen, I think the wrap-around care is too intense for the 3-4 year olds after a school day and the ratio is no-where near what it would be in a private nursery. It’s a really long day for the littlest ones and the set-up is really designed for older kids and isn’t created with the needs of 3 year olds in mind. I’ve also seen the nursery kids included in whole prep concerts and you can see them struggling to sit through it. I love the school but from what I’ve seen, I would never have sent my children to the pre-school unless they were September/October babies.

Finances are a big one for preps. Look at the establishment numbers on the dfe website.

If it’s a through school, I’d be asking what percentage of those starting in reception make it to the senior (ie do they suggest some leave) and if it’s not what the destinations are.

At 3/4 are they were "traditional" i.e. lots of expectation for the children to sit and listen and follow a strict routine, or is much more play based?

How does this change as they go up through the school?