To stay or to go? Post Reply

[Allsmiles]

Hello! We registered for 3 nurseries and 3 schools beginning of this year around the area and were added onto the waiting list. So far, my 2yr old dd had no offers for nurseries!!!!!! Given the lack of visibility around her care and schooling, we are forced to consider moving outside of London even though we like this area very much and would stay if she got into a good school. I just wanted to get your oppionion to see if we are jumping the gun a bit with considerations of moving, or do you think there will be enough churn in the area that we get dd into a good nursery and also primary school. It doesn't help that none of the school or nurseries tell you where you are on the list!

[Susi@reCentre]

Are you looking for a state nursery place? The best source of info is the council's admissions department. I had a similar problem and eventually moved out of area (just to Merton) only to find that we would have got places if we had stayed!

If it is state places you are after - it really depends on where you live and there will be turnover. The council should be able to tell you where you are on the waiting list. You can reach them on 020 8871 7316

I hope that's helpful.

[Bee@lifeafterlondon]

Moving out is often discussed in local families but it's not something to undertake lightly. I think it's something you have to really want to do as it's a big change especially if you love it around here. So many people move there is usually a fairly high turnover in the schools and nurseries but it does depend state or private. Don't forget that areas out of London also have high demand for places so you might be leaping into the same problem! Not that I'd like to put you off but maybe ring the individual nurseries and have a chat about what has happened in the past....to get some idea.
Good luck with it all.

[BalhamMumWorkingFT]

If you are aiming to move out (in a few years) it is worth looking into. But don't do it JUST for schools places. There is ALOT of turn over in London...

[Allsmiles]

Thanks ladies. We are looking to get dd into private nursery and school as we don't live in any good nursery/school catchment area. I have called the nurseries to get a gauge of where we are on the list, but all they say is you are on the waiting list and if there's churn, then we'll get a slot. The schools of course don't even consider/refresh their list until the sept before. Am hoping am worried over nothing, but still it's an worry.

[Susi@reCentre]

I'm not sure where you live but when I was living in Balham, my children both went to Eveline Day School. They have several nurseries in the area but also a school (ages 3 - 11). It was great for the children while they were small. The school is on Balham High road and if it's not too far away from where you live, I'd reccommend having a look around.

[Kindergartens]

Mouse House do have some spaces in the afternoon, once they start in the afternoon most people do not then want to change to mornings.

We feed into a number of amazing schools in the area and have an excellent reputation for this, regardless of whether the children are in the mornings or the afternoons. The head and her staff are amazing, why dont you give them a call and go and look around and see for yourself how amazing it is.

[hjm]

I agree with the previous poster, Eveline Day School is lovely. They have just expanded and I know they have places available at the moment.

You might not be out of luck with the state schools. Yesterday I was offered a place at Balham Nursery School for my daughter from January, which must be because someone who started in September has left. I really didn't expect it as we live a mile away. It has a fantastic reputation and an amazing Ofsted report. As others have said, there's a lot of movement in London so you might be lucky with state places if you hold your nerve.

[Pud1]

Balham Nursery is excellent. You would be hard pushed to find better .

[3boysrock]

I agree - my child thrived there, Balham Nursery is brilliant.

[noodle]

Yes, balham nursery is really fantastic.