What is a nursery school?

[antantant]

Hi there,

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'm getting quite confused :)

My child is almost 3 and at a private nursery, 5 days a week.

So what is a "Nursery School"? The primary closest to us (Edmund Waller) seems to have a "nursery school" which I'm guessing is for kids under 5, but I can't find much information about it online.

I'm just wondering if it is an option for the year before he starts school? It would be much closer to home, and maybe cheaper?

[Mutrik]

Hi, i think a nursery school offers either am or pm slots so that the child only goes a few hours each day. I may be wrong but I think it is 3 hours per day, term time only and that this is free. Not sure if they offer additional hours which you can pay for. Call the school and ask, and they will also be able to give you an application form.

[KatsuQueen]

Hi, I think the main difference is that a private nursery is to provide full time childcare for parents who work, so their hours are longer typically 7:30 to 6:30pm, they run all year round, and they take children form 6 months (or younger)

A nursery attached to a school is more of an early preparation for school, and socialising with other children. Hours are short, they only run during the school year and they are not really meant to be "childcare" eg I think they don't take children in nappies (without a doctor's note). Hope that helps.

[antantant]

Ahhhhh okay, so not really what we're after. Thanks for the info!