Taking school nursery spot for only 3 days?

[alieh]

I asked this question at the bottom of another thread but realised it makes more sense to post it with a separate title. Does anyone know if you're allowed to take a school nursery place for just 3 of 5 days? Is this frowned upon?

[Pickle]

Frowned upon as far as I'm aware, and if not by the school it would be by other parents as so many kids miss out on school nursery places that really want/need them.

But worth asking I guess!

[The Nappy Lady]

Ali,

If a school spot it would only be half days - so do you only want to use 3 of the half days? If so then I agree with Pickle that I think it would be frowned on a bit....not sure on your reasons, but at Ivydale they are trying something new, where instead of doing 5 half days you can do 2 full days and 1 half day, to use up the allowed hours in a different way. For working parents (like me), this is really helpful, and I'm wondering if the school you are considering might be open to this - it may be a case of finding another parent who is happy to take the other 2.5 days - i.e. the ones you're not wanting.

For my daughter I wondered how she would cope with a whole day, but she's been fine (was used to being with a childminder for whole days already), and I think in some ways it is less unsettling than being dropped off by me, picked up by childminder, going to her house, then being picked up by me later if that makes sense.

Hmmm, so much to ponder!

Molly

[Pickle]

Oops I didn't mean my response to sound so abrupt, sorry :-$ Unintentional, was rushing!

Molly that sounds like a great setup, so much more flexible than the 5 half day system, and if it had been available at Goodrich I probably would have done it, as my daughter would love to stay longer.

[bluesuperted]

I really wish schools had the flexibility to be more case by case on this issue; I know lots of SAHMs who feel it is a big jump to go from 100% at home to 5 half days and I would be interested in a sharing approach with another child. It would also make a lot of sense as places at schools are in so much demand, that where people have reason to think

a reduced amount of hours would suit them better they could be accommodated.

As it stands when the time comes I think I will play it by ear and take my son out for any sessions I felt were too much to begin with, even it that meant one session lost a week; after all education is not compulsory at this age, not ideal for the school but maybe a compromise for school and child in the early months - better that than a child who was not settling and would benefit from a more gradual introductory approach.

[Fuschia]

The school receives funding for the 'sessions attended' technically but it's possible to claim for the full 15h even if not taken up, if the la agrees

[Kes]

Molly - that's interesting that ivydale are doing that now, I hope more places follow them, we looked into school nursery but as it stands 5 half days is utterly useless for most working mums - I'm only part time but do 3 full days so am restricted to private nursery at the moment

[alieh]

I don't have a good reason so only would consider if it was a very common set up. Shame that we can't share the days as I would love 2 or 3 1/2 days as, it sounds like, would many others. My son is very settled in an independent pre-school for 2 full-ish days, so I think we'll stick with this for now. I am tempted by the Goodrich nursery as it might be nice for him to get used to it before HOPEFULLY starting reception there in Sept 2013 but sounds like this isn't a good plan.

Thanks for all the replies!

[minder]

You would have to check with the school first before you apply, but most state nurseries insist that your child attends for the 5 half days and I think it would be frowned upon if you only sent them for 3 out of 5. Not only that but your child would be missing out on what goes on, on the days he/she wasn't there. Also the teacher would feel that she/he was not getting to know the child enough.

My three children all went to the local state school nursery for a morning/afternoon session at 3 and a half/nearly 4 and they loved it. I personally feel it's a great way to introduce them to reception class otherwise going from 3 half days to 5 full days could be too much for some children.

[number 2]

grrrr. i wish i'd known that about ivydale.................

[susyp]

i was really worried about my daughter doing 5 1/2 days after only being at home with me with not that many playdates - and she was not very good around other children either. We had had a disasterous attempt at starting her somewhere 2 days a week when she was 2. But actually she was fine from day 1 in her school nursery - no tears at all - with a very understanding teacher who sorted out any social issues she had and I think it actually helped that she went 5 days a week.

Of course now I am worrying about her doing 5 full days next year from reception but trying to tell myself to learn the lesson and go with the flow - it doesn't actualy matter if they find it a bit difficult to start as long as they do settle quickly! It's done her so much good to do the year and she really enjoys being part of a set class.

susypx