childcare arrangement in Peckham Rye

[Imke]

Hi,

I will move with my daughter to Peckham Rye in september. I am not used to the childcare/school-system in Great Britain, so maybe someone could give me advice on this. My daughter will become 4 years old in August. Will she be eligible for a school place in September? What are the alternatives? Could anyone recommend a nursery? Our postcode will be SE15 4LA. Thanks!

Imke

[Fuschia]

She would be able to start school in Jan 2011. However, you have missed the date for applications, and will be a kate applicant... best to contact directly all schools within a mile or so to enquire about reception places.

The LA is obliged to offer you a place within 3 miles!

From Sept-Dec she is entitled to a free 15h place in a school nursery or a private nursery that accepts state funding... but again, it will be very difficult to find a place at such short notice..

Sorry

[mrs.lotte]

The schools are all closed for summer at the moment so I'd be suprised if anyone answered the phone! However I believe that the allocation of places will still be in the hands of the local authority at this stage in the academic year so give Southwark education dept a call and ask for advice/to be put on waiting list for your closest schools. Be warned; they are not terribly helpful or efficient but keep pestering them and/or try contacting your local councillor direct.

There are lots of children in this area and school places are hard to come by so you may not be allocated a close one straight away but as your daughter is a January start you may find that places free up between Sept and Jan.

Good luck and welcome to the area - you'll love it

[snss75]

Imke,

you'll be REALLY close to the Bellenden school. My son went to the Nursery there and will now start Reception there in September as well which we're very pleased about. It's a small school and the staff are very caring; I'd definitely give them a call. They are taking half the class on in September and another half in January so it may work out for you if you get on the waiting list. In the meantime, you could contact the Nursery Teacher directly to enquire about a nursery place for the fall term. Eunice, the Nursery Teacher is really lovely, you can call the school and ask for her on 0207 732 7107 (+44 207 732 7107 if calling from abroad). You can find more general info on the school & nursery places on the Southwark Council website http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/100005/education_and_learning.

[Imke]

Thanks for the information to all of you!