Edinburgh Council nursery

[Mamabear04]

Is it better to send LO to a council nursery rather than a private one? Will it affect getting into the primary school? We live in the catchment area for a local nursery but haven't found out if DC has been allocated a space for January. Panicked and went to see a private nursery today and DC seemed to like it. Doubt I'll get to look round the council one unless I accept a place. Is this a stupid question? Not sure what to do now...

I can’t comment on whether a private nursery is better than the council one, but can reassure you that the nursery you attend does not affect getting a place in your catchment school.

Do the hours of each impact your work? If it's a free choice in that sense I would go for the council one, as my own experience has been they are better (for pre-schoolers especially) and your child will be making friends with the same children they will start primary 1 with.

I don't think it matters that much tbh - as to quality, it depends on the specifics, some council nurseries aren't great and some private ones aren't so do what's convenient. Plenty start p1 not knowing other kids.

That's true, and if your dc is good at making friends it won't be a problem - I had one who wasn't and spent a lot of time on his own on P1 (fine now)

You can of course ask to see around the council one.
All v normal

Other than checking out the quality, council nursery tends to be term time and shorter hours.

If you need it for childcare purposes (so are working) then private nurseries tend to be far more flexible with longer hours and open all year round.

Also very normal to have a private space and be on list for council one. And yes as previous, all irrelevant to school places.

I don’t see the point of a private nursery unless you are working and it’s not a strain on finances, if you are working & can put your child in a council nursery, then by all means do this. If you just want to put your child in nursery because it’s time, and not because you are working then definitely not a private nursery.

My DD was in a council nursery from 9am until 3pm from age 4 because I was a single mother with a low income & there was 8 full time spaces in the nursery for kids in the same position.

If you need it for childcare out of term time then you need a private nursery. If not, the council nursery might suit if you get a place. Either way, it won't affect your school place or improve your chances of getting an out of school catchment.

It was a while ago (my boys are 12 and 14!) but they went to private nursery as I was working FT. When they were offered a place in the school nursery I just couldn't make the hours work, so they stayed in private until P1. They both went to school and didn't know anyone (they went to the RC school and all the other children went to the local school) and they were both absolutely fine - it made no difference, even though it feels like a big deal at the time. Now they are back in HS with the children they went to nursery with. Just do what works best for you and send them to the nursery that's convenient/affordable/that you have confidence in.

If you live in catchment for the school then it’s usually a given that you will get in. There has been years in the past where there have been more children in catchment than places but it usually works out.

I know for example you wouldn’t get a space in the nursery I work in as we have been full since we returned in August. But the places usually only start being offered next week for January. You would however be welcome to make an appointment for a tour now that we are allowed parents back in the setting. The last 2 years were a no, so we made a video for parents.

You would be better to call the school or nursery direct to find out.

I've worked and used a council nursery - childminder for the wrap around part.