Nursery or Preschool?

Nursery or Preschool? 

We know how difficult it is to make the right decision for your little ones and your families.

One of the most queried topic’s, is if moving to a preschool attached to a school is better than staying at your private day nursery. 

Lets explore this further…

What is the difference between a preschool and private nursery? 

Both settings known as ‘nursery schools’, following the same statutory framework and Early Years Foundation Stage, however they differ a little, on the way this is delivered this to the children. 

Private nurseries have their own curriculum, which is based around individual children's interests.

Educators observing and planning, supports children's imagination, creativity and unique learning and development.

Children are not forced to take part in adult led activities, as this actually contradicts the EYFS framework. 

School nurseries follow a strict curriculum, based around predetermined topics and learning outcomes.

Each child is expected to learn the same thing, within a set time frame.

School nurseries have specific targets they must meet throughout each term. 

What about funding, attendance, drop offs and pick ups?

Both settings receive the same universal 15 hours funding for all children aged 3-4 years. However, there is a difference in additional hours, sessions offered and flexibility. 

A private nursery offers flexibility and the option to access additional hours and choose your sessions to suit your families needs, accessing different days and times that suit you.

You are also able to take holiday's and breaks in attendance as you please.

Private settings allow parents into their buildings, their child's room and environment, daily handovers are communicated and a sense of belonging instilled in the children and their families. 

A school nursery  will offer AM or PM sessions only for 3 hours a day, that is chosen by them and not always suitable for your families needs.

You also can not access extra hours at a school nursery if you required them.

School settings request holiday's are only taken out of term and attendance is monitored and recorded.

School settings usually invite parents in on appointment only, they tend to give little to no hand over on a daily basis and communicate through termly appointments, like parents evenings. 

What about the staff and ratios?

In an early years setting, educators work to specific ratio's, outlined by the statutory guidance. For children under the two years of age, the adult to child ratio is 1:3,

For children under 3, the adult to child ratio is 1:4

For children over three, the adult to child ratio is 1:8.

This is a legal requirement, set out by the legislations and regulations for early years.

Nursery settings, also use a key person system, another requirement from the EYFS, meaning each child has a specific key person, a positive attachment for child and family. 

Some children are not yet ready for the busy environment of a school classroom and this should be considered before making a move to a school nursery.

School nurseries can actually run on a ratio of 1:13, meaning two educators can actually have a class of 26 children.

It is important to note, school nurseries, do not use the key person system, so your child and your family will not have a specific attachment in this setting.

Making Friends

Some school nurseries, will put an emphasis on attendance before official school age, to ensure they make friends, with peers who will be in their class.

This isn't actually necessary, have you noticed children can go anywhere and leave with a new friend, the park, soft play, even the supermarket!

Moving on to a school nursery, is not needed to solely make friends!

Just think, how many friends your little one had when they started socialising?

How many do they have now? 

One thing is certain about children, they will make friends!

So, What are the benefits to staying in a private nursery? 

Moving your child earlier than necessary to a school nursery, is completely your choice, there are however, benefits to remaining in your early years setting. 

Your child is already settled, with secure attachments and tailored care.

The educators are fully qualified in 'Early Years' and have an in-depth knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the importance of learning through play. 

For many school nurseries, they operate under a strict budget, which doesn't include early years resources, meaning resources from school class rooms are often shared around the whole building. 

We would suggest anyone thinking of moving to a school nursery, ask some specific questions, to make sure the move is suitable for your little one’s learning.

These could include: 

What is the adult to child ratio? 

Will my child receive toileting help, if they need it?

If my child has a toileting accident, who will help them? How many staff will be left with the remaining children in this instance?

What are the early years qualifications of your educators? 

How is the environment suitable for children who are three and four? 

What happens if you decide to stay in your private setting?

Nothing, you still apply for your chosen school as normal and this doesn't affect your place in anyway.

Some believe that putting their child into a school nursery, guarantees a place in the school, however, this is not true.

Ultimately, what you do, should be right for your family, we would recommend that parents moving their children out of private settings early, to explore what moving to a school nursery will actually look like for their child.