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What's the difference between pre-school and nursery?

8 replies

kpnut · 12/03/2006 16:22

Sorry to ask this question, but what is the difference between pre-school and nursery?
My ds is 3 and is currently attending pre-school. We are moving out of the area soon and will have to have him enrolled at another pre-school. However, pre-school places are hard to come by at this particular time of year, and we may have to resort to sending him to a nursery.
How do they differ?
Do I Have to leave him there ALL day?
How do ensure that it's a good one?

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emily05 · 12/03/2006 16:24

my ds attends a nursery - but the pre-school sessions (iyswim - so it is funded).

They are open 7am - 7pm and take in children full time, but do a preschool session in the morning and one in the afternoon. This sort of thing is fine for your ds (we have loads of nurserys around here that do the same thing)

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rummum · 12/03/2006 16:59

day nurseries are open from about 8am till 6pm, every day and are run by qualified nursery nurses/nvq3 qualified staff
nursery schools are open term time only and offer a 2 and a half hour session everyday, these often have qualified teachers running them and nursery nurses/NVQ3 qualified staff helping. They take children the term after they are 3 (for free). They are run by the local LEA
Pre-schools are open term time only are run by nursery nurses/NVQ3 qualifed staff and take children from about 2 and a half years old, again funding after the term they turn 3. They again offer 2 and a half hour sessions every day. some children move on to nursery, they follow the same curriculum, as nurseries. Pre-schools are often a charity and have a committee of parents to funraise.

Hope this helps....

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rummum · 13/03/2006 22:24

your welcome

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waterfalls · 13/03/2006 22:41

lol, rummum

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kpnut · 14/03/2006 14:53

Thanks for your message rummum.

It seems to make sense now. I am obviously getting confused between day care nursery and nursery school. Some more questions.

How much do nursery schools typically charge for each session?
Does this vary form school to school?
Also because my ds was 3 in January will he be eligble for the voucher system?

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rummum · 14/03/2006 15:00

They take children the term after they are 3 (for free).

I think nurseries take them on age rather than being on a waiting lists..
by my calculations he should get in after easter. Get his name down.... you could be going for some visits soon...

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Mercy · 14/03/2006 15:45

A nursery school attached to an infants/junior school is completely free of charge, but there may be a waiting list, at least this is the case in area, and they can be accepted as soon as they are 3 but not before.