Advice for picking the perfect pre-school or nursery

by Lauren Abbott

The start of this month has seen the next intake of pre-school nursery pupils, entitled to their 15 hours of government-funded nursery education from the term after their third birthday.

With 12 months to go before they too go into reception and only eight months before they will be hearing of their primary school choices, starting nursery or pre-school is becoming a major milestone for toddlers and their families.

While many children may have been in some form of childcare from a much younger age, the move into nursery or pre-school, while not compulsory, is seen as a good step to preparing youngsters for the skills and growing independence they will need to make the transition to school and full-time education.

Springles Nursery looks after children aged three months to school age
Springles Nursery looks after children aged three months to school age

HOW TO PICK THE PERFECT PRE-SCHOOL

Advice offered by the Good Schools Guide on its website www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk includes listening to recommendations from other parents, reading the latest inspection reports and visiting several pre-schools or nurseries before making a decision.

Parents are also advised to consider the nursery’s ethos, setting and space available, whether it is attached or linked to a primary school and what, if any, cost implications there might be around the 15 hours free entitlement.

The guide adds: “What is important is that your child continues to thrive, flourish and develop socially, cognitively and emotionally, physically – in whatever environment you choose.”

FOR MORE INFO

All three and four-year-olds and some two-year-olds are entitled to a certain amount of free early education and childcare.

Find out your family’s entitlement here

Parents are advised to consider the nursery’s ethos, setting and space available
Parents are advised to consider the nursery’s ethos, setting and space available

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