local school or the better school.

Savvy_Sue

Molly41 wrote: »

How about letting your DD have some choice in the matter?

Much easier at 11 than at 4 ... IMO.

Mind you, DS3 was MEANT to start p/t, but he made SUCH a fuss about being picked up at lunchtime the first day, and was SO sure he wanted to stay all day, that after checking with the school that's what happened. He wanted to change back at Christmas time, but too late! :rotfl:

Molly41

I wouldn't underestimate the ability of a four year old to tell you if they liked being somewhere or not. Well I took consideration of my kids opinions and it worked out well. Having said that though I made a conscious decision to bring them up like that as I had major decisions foisted on me (not saying that it what the OP is doing !)

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I still think you shouldn't underestimate the difference between 'nursery' and 'Reception' on a young child. Your DD may be used to being in nursery all day, as were some of the children coming to our afterschool club. They'd coped with that, they found the transition to Reception VERY tiring.

Another thing to check - with any school - is how they start children, and whether nursery can work around the initial arrangements. I've heard of some strange (to me) arrangements in my time! Mine all either started and stayed f/t, or started mornings and stayed f/t quite soon. But some schools do 2 weeks of mornings, followed by 2 weeks of afternoons, followed by 2 weeks of mornings plus lunch, followed by 2 weeks of lunch plus afternoons - or some such complex arrangements. How working parents get around that I've never been quite sure!

She'll go FT 9-3:30 when she starts (shes already in nursery - this will be infants) they visit the school for 2 weeks for a few days (with me also) before going up

Molly41 wrote: »

How about letting your DD have some choice in the matter? I did that with mine. We looked at two local schools and spent time there. I then asked my DS's opinion and he said which one he preferred. At the time I went against the general opinion and chose the school that felt comfortable to him. Less emphasis on academic achievement but very good at learning through play and inclusive policies. All my children had a choice in the matter. Education is something that cant be imposed on a child. Even in the very early years the saying "you can lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink" runs very true. Your child needs to be comfortable and happy in the school environment and its so much more than academic learning. Social learning and interaction makes a hige difference.

I personally dont think giving a 4yo (in sept) the choice is the right thing (for us) She visited both schools with me and was running round with the kids at both (but then, she's very sociable so this was expected) she can make friends anywhere and everywhere - BUT some of her friends from nursery will be going to the other school, none are going to the local school (they all live near the other school)

Spendless

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel wrote: »

She'll go FT 9-3:30 when she starts (shes already in nursery - this will be infants) they visit the school for 2 weeks for a few days (with me also) before going up



I personally dont think giving a 4yo (in sept) the choice is the right thing (for us) She visited both schools with me and was running round with the kids at both (but then, she's very sociable so this was expected) she can make friends anywhere and everywhere - BUT some of her friends from nursery will be going to the other school, none are going to the local school (they all live near the other school)

Then if this bit is important to you at 4, then it will be equally important at 11. If not more so, as your child will have spent 7 years becoming 'attached' to her year group. So how likely is it, you will get her in the same Secondary that the rest of her peers from that school?

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

Spendless wrote: »

Then if this bit is important to you at 4, then it will be equally important at 11. If not more so, as your child will have spent 7 years becoming 'attached' to her year group. So how likely is it, you will get her in the same Secondary that the rest of her peers from that school?

but on the flip side - most of the local kids will go to the catchment comp - I REALLY dont want DD to go there and will do everything i can to get her into the other comp so if she did go to local school, she wouldnt have these friends in comp anyway