Help - Advice about pre-school for 3 year old in SW18 Post Reply

[Guy@Faircatch]

Morning all. We had thought, with our eldest Lila turning 3 next month, that pre-school wasn't a consideration for at least another year. She currently attends Kids UnLtd on Wandsworth Common Northside 3 days a week, enjoys it enormously and we're pretty happy with them. She'll qualify for the free 15 hours a week from the spring of next year (unless the government get their collective fingers out and up it to 30 hours as per their election promise - does anyone know when this might be applied btw?), however with her younger sister Audrey there 3 days too, it's still fairly onerous financially, so we need to consider any cheaper options. Can anyone enlighten us as to whether we could apply for a pre-school place at either Allfarthing or Swaffield primary and if so, what are the fees and how do they compare to private nurseries? What is the schedule, can you drop at 8am and collect at 6pm or is it a shorter day? Presumably one still gets the 15 hours/week support for 3 & 4 year olds..? It would be more work dropping each child at different locations, but if it saves enough money, it might be worth it... Thanks in advance, Guy 07810 753 815. PS. Still looking for paid helpers for our Faircatch fish box scheme at Barmouth Kitchen, The Draft House Northcote road and Cakes by Robin in Southfields every Friday afternoon from 4th September, do please call if you can spare a couple of hours...

[mgb]

You are correct that your daughter would begin at a state nursery in Sept 2016. All state nurseries are free but the hours are not as long as a private daycare nursery. Allfarthing for example is:
Morning session 9:00am – 12:00pm
Afternoon session 12:30pm – 3:30pm
All day session 9:00am – 3:30pm

Here's the link to Wandsworth state nursery information and application process: http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/info/20007 ... ry_schools

Hope this helps.

[headshrinker]

If she's 3 in September then funding/state places should kick in from January as it starts the term after they turn 3. Once September terms start at your local nurseries, just give them a call and see whether they think they will have any availability. Unlike school places, you apply directly to the nurseries (in Wandsworth anyway) rather than through a central system. They will have Open Days once term starts so that's a good opportunity to talk directly to them about your options. You won't get working hours though so will be looking at wraparound care to top it up...

[Guy@Faircatch]

Thank you headshrinker and mgb, much appreciated

[Cleod]

Hello
With all the news about summer borns starting reception a year later I thought I might start researching about nursery schools and found this thread. Our daughter has just turned 2 and (we think) is pretty smart, so we are inclined to start her in reception September 2017 if she continues to progress well.
She too is currently at KU Wandsworth and is really happy there but I wonder if the preschool is as good as the toddler and baby rooms? Or should we think about sending her to a preschool that is attached to a primary school and perhaps make the transition to reception any easier?
Would really welcome some advice!
Thank you
Xx