Applying For Nursery & Schools..

[EllieJP]

Hi, my little boy has just turned 15 months old. And I'm completely clueless as to how to start applying for or even when to start applying for nurseries and school. Any advice would be extremely useful.. Thanks.

[boxtops]

Your local authority's education website would be a good place to start.

[pixie373]

For nursery schools, have a look online or ask friends about local ones, then you can give them a ring and ask to look around. They'll answer any questions you have, too. You get the application form directly from the nursery. Some start from 6 weeks, some 2 plus, etc.
You don't need to apply for primary schools until the year before he is due to start there. The preschool/nursery will direct you then.

[Buenchico]

See here for information about applying for school places and finding nursery schools. (The strict timetables applicable to primary and secondary school places don't apply to nursery schools because nursery education isn't compulsory):
https://www.gov.uk/schools-admissions/applying
(NB: You need to use the links at the top right as well as reading the main text).

[EllieJP]

At what age do I need to apply for my son? Is it recommended I start now? Or do I wait a while longer? X

[pixie373]

As they usually only start on a couple of mornings a week, there are usually spaces. It depends how many days you want really and what age you want him to start? If you're thinking about 2 and a half, that's not until next September. They will have places, because the oldest year will have left. I would start having a think and finding the local ones, but the term before is usually plenty of time to apply.

[rockyracoon]

My advice for what it's worth, go along to a Mothers and Toddlers group, you'll learn very quickly about all the nurseries in your area, what they're like, are they sought after blah blah.