Preschool membership and waiting lists

[Fodders]

...for various reasons our village pre-school was declared full at easter this year until September 2008 and there are only a couple of places left before January 2009. There's a waiting list for any extra places in the meantime.

Have had to send dd1 to another pre-school in order to increase her sessions.

Am unhappy and undecided at how to respond to the situation for dd2 who will go to pre-school in 2008 and school in Sept 2010.

I love our local pre-school but it seems unfair that new children are being accepted at the pre-school in preference to existing attendees being allowed to increase their sessions and the parents are not being

Am I being unreasonable or naive? To get what we wanted I should have applied in April 2007 for all my dd2's pre-school sessions (ie. from 2008-2010). I have heard of a mum applying for more sessions than she needs just so she gets to choose when she can increase her child's sessions.

Am thinking of asking committee to change application forms so you can specify sessions for multiple years ie. 2 sessions increasing to 5 just before school.

I'd also like to see the waiting list so I now how likely it is that I might get an extra session for dd1. The Pre-School manager manages all the membership and waiting list and I've previously hesitated at harrassing the poor woman who's already overloaded.

How do other pre-schools organise membership and waiting lists?

[happystory]

First existing children are asked if they want to up their sesions. Then the waiting list is addressed, in order of application BUT siblings get 1st priority (and children of staff but that's a rarity)

Unless we're desperate for chidren, we prefer the new ones to start on 2/3 days max then increase as they go along/get older.

[Fodders]

...thanks happystory - and who administers all this - is it the pre-school manager or the committee?

[happystory]

I think it will be a combination of both. The committee may well administer it but in discussion with the playgroup manager.

If you are in the UK, preschools have to give preference to those that are funded (ie because they are entitled to it) and under 3s fill any gaps

[Anglestar]

Hi, I am new to this and also new to the Leytonstone area. I was wondering if anyone knew of any decent pre-schools in or around this area?

[geogteach]

Hi I am the chair of our pre school. We employ an admissions secretary who administers our waiting list (apart from playgroup staff she is the only paid employee). We have tightened up alot on admissions. Children may start at the beginning of the term after they are 2.9, they get 2 pm sessions, if they start September or xmas they get 3 sessions the next term (all pm). In the year before children start school they get offered 4 am sessions, (they may choose to take 2 or 3). Parents get 6 months notice that they are offered a place. Nobody gets 5 sessions (this is our decision we are a church playgroup and we wanted to be able everyone the same, if we offered 5 sessions it would significantly limit the number of children who got a place).We suggest that people put there name on the waiting list by 18 months, although people after that are considered if there is space. We have 3 equal entries so kids with birthdays at the end of the year are not disadvantaged. If a place becomes available it goes to the next person on the waiting list in the appropriate cohort. Hope all that makes sense, feel free to ask if not.