How early should I put my child's name down for school?

My daughter is nearly One, and I wondered how early we should consider putting her name down for school - or even looking at schools? And is there a procedure that has to be followed??





We are in the UK.

How early should I put my child's name down for school?
I'd wait until she's older, that way you'll know the type of personality she has and what type of school would suit her best. It will depend on the school when you need to put her name down.
Reply:yep, just check out what school you want your daughter to go to, and put her name down. she'll start at about three yrs old. all you have to do is go in and fill a form in.
Reply:Well you have to be atleast 4 to start preschool and 5 for kindergarden .... which is for the us not the uk
Reply:do it asap the earlier the better
Reply:I was told I should already have put my child's name on a school list, when she was 8 months old. The health visitor couldn't believe I hadn't. I thought she was nuts! Then, when I tried to get my child into playgroup when she was older, I couldn't.


So, I'd do it straightaway. Especially if you live in the city.
Reply:My health visitor told me to put my daughters name down for the school nursery at 2 then they tell you when you need to put the name down for school. (if it's part of the school)
Reply:a year before is soon enough, im a nursery teacher.
Reply:I would start now, schools in Uk seem to fill up really quickly, if there is a goods chool in your area I would suggest gong for a tour of the school and checking out its facilities and also look at other nearby possibilities, there is nothing worse than your child getting to the age that he/she will be ready for school only to find out the school has no places left,
Reply:sooner rather than later, by that i mean


look into it now
Reply:my health visitor told me to put my sons name down when he turned 2 so when your daughter turns 2 do it then
Reply:some schools are popular and hard to get in to so the sooner you put her name down the better the chance! you just need to contact the school and ask them if you can visit most schools and mainly the best ones are happy for you to go check out the school to see if you like it! then if you like it then you can out your childs name down at the school they will then write to you nearer the time to let you know if she has a place! you can put her name down at a few if you like then make the final decision when they write to you
Reply:I put my sons name down when he was born but I don't really think it makes much difference.The selection procedure is based on a few things:are you in their catchment area,what religion you are/are you church goers,if you have any other kids at the school.Usually you get a form from the education council the year before they are due to start school to fill in with your choice of schools.
Reply:Someone enlighten ME -- "putting her name down", is that a U.K. thing?





Here in the US, you simply take the child to pre-school or kindergarten when September of the appropriate year hits.





Personally, I think anything before 5 is way too young. My wife got informed that when our little Arthur hits three he can join "head start", and "a bus will even pick him up right at our door!" Sorry, but the picture of our little 3-year-old getting on a bus with total strangers and leaving for half a day... Not gonna happen!