Nursery Schools - Heber/Goodrich

[pebbles]

I'm sure this has already been covered however i've searched and can't actually find the answer.

I live on Friern Rd (between Underhill and Goodrich) and am about to apply for both Goodrich and Heber Nurseries for my son starting in September 2010.

I know how small the catchment areas were for primary schools this year however I wondered if there was anyone out there living around me that got into either school nurseries? (again i know that every year differs) but I suppose i just need to know whether i should have a serious backup?

Any info muchly appreciated

[Mellors]

I am slightly further away than you and was offered a place at Goodrich to start this January in the afternoons (1 - 3.30pm I think). This would have been the term after his 3rd birthday. As it happens he is happily settled elsewhere, and afternoons dont suit us so I turned it down.

Have heard nothing from Heber (which is actually my nearest, but I think harder to get in to).

[pebbles]

Thanks Mellors

Can I ask where you have sent yours? ie if a state nursery what else is in my catchment?

[Mellors]

Not state - we are at Puddleducks (now in Nunhead near Ivydale). As you get your 12.5 hours for free even in a private nursery once they are three its free now anyway, and doing a couple of longer days suited me more than going back and forward for short sessions 5 days a week.

You could try Goose Green, DKH, Rye Oak for state (or Dulwich Wood which I loved but is a drive away)? Or any of the private ones?

[Mellors]

I also meant to say that I think you have more chance of getting a place if you are happy to do afternoons, as lots of people only want mornings. It has no bearing on whether you get a school place.

[Fuschia]

heberb took only siblings into nursery this year

[Cora]

You can apply to as many nurseries as you want and you apply individually to each school - Siblings are first priority but after that most of them work by age I think not distance? This may have changed. I would definately have a back-up.

[pebbles]

Thanks everyone. I'll start researching today about other nurseries on top of G and H - ugh I hate this snow now, my toddler had fun last week and is now just cold

[Fuschia]

Buds...

[Fuschia]

Cora Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> You can apply to as many nurseries as you want and

> you apply individually to each school - Siblings

> are first priority but after that most of them

> work by age I think not distance? This may have

> changed. I would definately have a back-up.

It is distance I'm afraid.

"

2.1 Over-subscription Criteria for Nursery Classes

(i) Children in public care (looked after children);

(ii) Children with educational, medical or social needs where professional advice indicates that

placement would be beneficial; this includes children with a statement of special educational

needs which names the nursery class;

(iii) Children who will have a brother or sister attending the school at the time of entry;

(iv) Children for whom it is their nearest maintained nursery class or nursery school.

Note

Schools close to the Southwark border may, if they wish, delete reference to Southwark residents if

they normally and regularly admit children to the nursery class who live in neighbouring boroughs.

Where children are cared for by a local authority registered childminder, parents/carers can opt to have

the childminder?s address as the point from which distance is measured. However, some schools have

opted not to include this in their admissions criteria.

In both of the above instances parents/carers should request further information from the school(s)."

[standswithfist]

Hi - what age should your children be when you start looking at applying for nurseries?

[ludoscotts]

hi it only operates in term time(like a school) but as well as the school nurseries we have our daughter on the waiting list at dulwich village pre school which was lovely. its opposite the riding school on the south circular (down past the harvester)further away from you but was soooo nice and felt just like a school did. Some of the nurseries we visited had a different feel to them but we thought this was the closest to a school nursery. well worth taking a look. Its in the old alleyn club house so surrounded by fields and the children can come out to play on the terrace whenever they like(it has gates!) which is lovely so fresh air and has a nice garden too for them to play in.