School Admissions

Daycare wants an 'admission fee' to move him up to their pre-nursery, in the same building

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Our son is in the toddler room at his daycare and doing well. This week they sent a note saying children turning two can 'take admission' into their pre-nursery programme from June, with a one-time admission fee, a new kit and a higher monthly fee. Same building, same hours, two of the same staff. What is the difference between a daycare toddler room and a pre-nursery at the same place, apart from the name? Does he need pre-nursery before nursery at a proper school, or is this how they move families up a price band?

5 comments

  • saffron_quilt_8232

    Ask them for the daily schedule of both rooms side by side. If the only change is the name on the door and a workbook, you have your answer.

  • hazel_badminton_1527

    I see a lot of parents in clinic who feel pushed to 'start early'. In my experience schools don't ask for a pre-nursery certificate at nursery admission. Whether the new room would suit him better is a separate question, and I'd go and see it before deciding 🙂

  • ochre_diary_6404

    A friend's son moved up at that age and for him it was a real change. Fixed circle time, a bit of colouring, more outdoor play. Also a higher fee. Both can be true. Ask what he'll be doing between 10 and 12 that he doesn't do now.

  • basil_diary_1104

    Is the admission fee refundable if you move him to a school's nursery next year? Their answer would tell you how they see it.

    • ochre_pool_755

      Good thing to ask. From the school side, we don't ask where a nursery child was before, or whether they went anywhere at all. Pre-nursery isn't a requirement where I teach. Whether it helps a child settle is another matter, and that depends more on the child than on the label.

  • willow_window_9575

    Our grandson went straight from home to nursery at three. He cried for one week like all of them, then he was fine. At two the main thing is that he is happy where he is. If he is happy now, why change the room?

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