Hi

My son is 2 yrs old and i want to put his name down for nursery for when he is about 3 and also for school.
As i am a first time mum i have no experience of this and so don't really know what to do.
Do i just find a nursery/school in my area and then contact them direct?
Is it free from the age of 3 or is is funded/partly funded?
Are nurseries attached to schools better than private nurseries?
Also does anyone know which are the best nurseries/schools in and around the Handsworth area??

Thankyou

Cath xx

The Childrens Information Service will be able to give you all the contact information regarding nurseries in your area.

They have a website here (http://www.sheffieldchildrenfirst.org.uk/), an advice centre at 11 Leopold Street, S1 2GY and can be called on 0114 275 6699.

They will also give you detailed information about Government grants. The basic entitlement is for children over the age of 3 to recieve five 2.5 hour sessions per week for 33 weeks of the year. Depending on your circumstances you may find that more assistance is available.

You should visit, talk to users etc. and make your own judgement about which nursery is best for you and your child. You cannot generalise as to whether a school based nursery would be better or not except for the link that it provides if you are sure that your child will enter that school (friends in class, link visits, locational familiarity etc.)


With regard to schooling, you no longer can put your name down in a queue. You will make an application when your child reaches the necessary age where you will list your preferred schools.
Information can be found on the Council Website on this (http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/education/information-for-parentscarers/admissions) and other pages.

Other things to do are to ask other mums in your area.

Many people prefer to use the nursery attached to the school simply for convenience, and also to ease transition into school when the time comes. When I was a reception class teacher, the children who had been to nursery at the school settled into reception class much easier, and were able to adapt better to the routines of school, etc.

But the thing is to phone up and have a look around. Talk to the staff, do you like them? If you dont like the staff it probably wont be a positive experience for either of you.

The private nurseries have the advantage that you can pay for extra hours if you want them, or use them as a child minding facility if you work.

All establishments should now be inspected and you can search for and read their inspection reports using the OFSTED website.

PS my grandson starts nursery this month at our local school, he is 3. Previously he went to a playgroup at a private nursery which we had to pay for,

i was going to send my son to a private school but changed my mind when i thought hard about it. my son is at a nursery where he can follow on up to the school so that way he doesnt loose his mates

here are the nurseries and inspection reports:

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/index.cfm?fuseaction=cclist&lea=108&type=DC

All childcare providers who care for children for more than 2 hours in a 24 hour period are legally required to be registered with Ofsted.

I suppose your choices boil down to two things, initially, and which is more important ....

If you want a specialised education

If you want local education