Pre-school Education dilemma - whether to switch nurseries

Make-it-3

My LO (aged almost two) has been going to a nursery for a year two days a week and has really settled in and enjoys it. However a place has now come up at another over-subscribed nursery and I can’t decide whether to switch her as the educational styles are quite different. I’d really like some input from anyone involved in early years education, teachers etc but anyone else who wants to add their two-penny worth can do so too

Here’s a brief overview of the nurseries:

Current nursery (OFSTED rated satisfactory) very multi-cultural (which I really like before anyone jumps on that), children are grouped by age (about 15 or so in her class), informal and friendly, kids call carers by first name, mixture of free playtime and structured activities eg painting, gardening etc that children join in together. Things I don’t like – outdoor space is small and menus are a bugbear (they serve sugary puddings including Angel Delight).

New nursery (OFSTED rated outstanding) attached to school I hope my child will eventually get a place at. More formal, kids wear uniform call carers “Miss”. The main difference is the structure of the day. The children are in one big group (about 50 kids aged between two and five) not separated by age and apart from a few short sessions in mixed age groups they choose what they want to do from a range of activities on offer arranged around the room. The garden area is fantastic, but the inside area is quite cramped and looks chaotic and unstructured with children hopping around from one activity to another some areas crowded and others abandoned and unpopular.

On the one hand my LO is quite bright (I know all mum’s say that but she can recite her A-Z, count to 20 and speaking in sentences for sometime now) so the idea of her mixing with older kids and not being limited does appeal. But she is physically small (that’s going to be a challenge getting uniform), is a bit shy and her carers at her current nursery say she likes a lot of 1-2-1 time with them and I wonder if she might drown in such a big group.

I’m so torn, and I need to let them know quickly or they will offer the place to someone else on the wait list. Help!

BillyB

I do work in early years, this is just my opinion though. Being that she's younger and she prefers alot of 1-2-1 time, I'd say she is better off staying at the current nursery where the group sizes are smaller and she can get the 1-2-1 time if she wants. At the other one they might not be able to offer so much of this as the group is bigger and all ages. Also, the informal and friendly nursery sounds better for her, considering her age. Theres time for uniform and more formal education at school. Plus, she's settled and already enjoys it where she is, would it be worth moving.

TeamLowe

I have no children of my own so can't give an informed opinion (other than the first nursery sounds ace and what i'd want for my child)

but i just caught your comment about the nursery being attached to a school.
every summer i deal with a lot of parents who have sent their child to a nursery, even knowing full well that it doesn't garuntee a place at the school, to be absolutely devestated when little Evie May doesn't get a place.

i don't know how big of a deal it would be to you but just make sure you're aware of how good your chances are of a place in that school, your Local Authority website should have the oversubscription criteria so you can give it a good guess but it really does depend on who applies at the time and with the current baby boom you may unfortunately struggle with this being your first child-the most popular schools in my authority didn't have enough room for siblings.

Personally i'd take the second being attached to a school out of the equation but i don't know your circumstances. plus i've said from seeing these appeals that i'd try to send my children to an independent nursery so they don't expect to attend a certain school so they can't be upset by not doing, if that makes sense. i'd say 90% of reception appeals are 'Evie May has gone to the nursery, her friends will be going to the school and she's been told from starting that that will be her big school, she's even gone to assemblies there'.

onlyroz

If both nurseries are similar cost and in convenient locations, and your daughter is happy where she is then I'd stay put.

princessdon

Nursery teacher and manager for many years, now working in part with disadvantaged families and the other part teaching on FE for childcare.

It depends on whether you want a home or education environment.

Personally I wouldn't move them as I think aged 2 they fare better in the more personal envronment.

But there are things you can do with nursery A

Send a pack up in if not happy (although Angel Delight can be sugar free you know).

Ask them why they are not implementing the EYFS Framework fully (which is what the 2nd are doing).

If they improve their environment using EYFS guidelines then a small outside area shouldn't matter, as it should be an extenstion of the classroom and not a separate activity. Choice and planning should be encouraged and that is why some activities are quieter than others. Children are often encouraged to select 2 activities and free play at others. Nurseries like no 1 have more structure and less choice (but it doesn't need to be that way).

As a parent of a child aged 2 I'd prefer nursery 1 and address a few issues, but if it's education as opposed to personal that is important to you as a parent then choose No 2. The child will fare better academically at No 2 and learn quicker, but may have more social issues.

I just think they have from state aged funding nursery (3) to have that kind of provision so why deny the opportunity to lounge on a sofa and watch TV.

Also it's only 2 days a week not full time so that needs considered.

Make-it-3

TeamLowe, the nursery try to apply the same criteria to their selection as the school to try to avoid the "but little Jimmy will be parted from all his friends if you don't accept him" issue. Obviously that doesn't guarantee a school place because as you say taking siblings is the first priority. But if that were to work out, it would make joining school that bit easier for her.

Onlyroz, the new nursery is a little bit more expensive (£5 per day) but a lot closer (5 mins work as opposed to 20 mins).

pelirocco

BillyB wrote: »

I do work in early years, this is just my opinion though. Being that she's younger and she prefers alot of 1-2-1 time, I'd say she is better off staying at the current nursery where the group sizes are smaller and she can get the 1-2-1 time if she wants. At the other one they might not be able to offer so much of this as the group is bigger and all ages. Also, the informal and friendly nursery sounds better for her, considering her age. Theres time for uniform and more formal education at school. Plus, she's settled and already enjoys it where she is, would it be worth moving.

I couldnt agree more , and even that is too young in a lot of cases

jackyann

It sounds as if the new nursery does not guarantee that you get that school place, so I would, as TeamLowe says, not take that into account. It may be worth checking catchment schools etc. anyway, as it sounds as if you are near it.
If the distance is an issue, or likely to become one, then take that into account.
Otherwise, I would leave her where she is happy - 2 year olds do not take kindly to uprooting, and it doesn't sound as if there are overwhelming reasons for moving her.
Mum of 4, ex health visitor's opinion!

Emmala

As a parent, teacher and Chair of a Pre-school, I'd advise you to follow your instinct.....if your child is happy and thriving where she is, then don't move her UNLESS you know for sure that sending her to the other nursery would GUARANTEE her a place at the school if that's where you want her to go and you wouldn't get in otherwise.

The grass is always greener, and you could move her only to find she isn't happy anyway. I think there's enough formality to come in school life and while they are little they should be in a home-from-home setting, lots of fun, age appropriate activities and somewhere they feel safe and secure with the adult helpers.

Good luck.....and ooh you've made me want some butterscotch angel delight now!!!!!!!!!!!! must investigate the propoints in that!

princessdon

The other thing to consider is Age Appt activities. There are reasons why nurseries have separate rooms (ratio dependant).

When I taught in nurseries I used real hammers and nails for woodwork, real pans and cuttlery (not plastic) in the home corner etc.

Ideal for older children, dangerous for younger children.

TBH as a teacher I'd find it really hard to plan actvities (particularly outside and sharing, turn taking) with a child who is too young to join in and shouldn't be expected to be able to.

I honestly think they'd get a bit lost

Have you also investigated their toileting policy (many won't change a child in that enviroment) and expect full toilet training.

FBaby

Sounds like the one where she currently is should be outstanding and the other one satisfactory

Questions are:
- what school would she go to if she doesn't get a place at the one attached to that nursery (ie. how important it is that she gets a better chance to go there?)
- If ofsted reports were indeed the other way round, would you still consider moving her?
- will she know anyone at the new nursery?
- have you visited it with your daughter and what did she think?