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Could you give me some information on the UK schools system?
Education is broadly divided into 'primary' (ages 4-11) and 'secondary' (ages 11-18). Primary school is further divided into 'infant school' (ages 4-7) and 'junior school' (ages 7-11), though many primary schools take both infants and juniors.
It is a legal requirement for children to attend school between the ages of 5 and 16. At 16 all children sit 'GCSEs' (General Certificate of Secondary Education exams) in a range of subjects. Many children then go on to study a smaller number of subjects for 'A-levels' (Advanced level exams) or similar exams at 'Sixth form college' (16-18 years). Again, many secondary schools provide for sixth formers, i.e. children can attend the same school right through from 11-18, others choose to move to a different college for their last two years. In order to apply for University (18+) you need to have attended sixth form.
Schools are either 'state schools' (Government run and funded) or 'private' (usually either fee-paying or Church run). Just to confuse you, there are also a number of 'public schools' in the UK - these are more exclusive PRIVATE, fee-paying schools which usually have a high academic record, a long school history with impressive grounds and require children to sit an entrance exam; these 'public schools' often also provide boarding, i.e. pupils live on-site during term-time but can be very expensive (though scholarships are available). The majority of children attend state schools.
The standard of education varies greatly between schools (a 'league table' comparing all the schools is published annually in the national press). The standard is regarded by many as being superior at the private schools, with the exception of a small number of state secondary schools called 'Grammar Schools' which only take pupils of higher academic ability (who have passed a national exam called the 'eleven-plus' in their final year at primary school). The grammar schools are many parents' dream - they are free (Government funded) and offer a high level of education.
The state schools your child is eligible to attend are based on your address - as a result, housing is often more sought after (and therefore more expensive) in areas near good schools (especially grammar schools). Many of the Church-run schools only accept children of parents who attend the church regularly.
In terms of day-care, your daughter is old enough to attend primary (infant) school already, so she would be taken care of during term-time (usually around 8.30am until around 3pm Monday to Friday). 1st term runs from first week in September until Christmas holiday, 2nd term from new year until Easter and 3rd term from after Easter until end of July. Furthermore, each term has a 'half-term' break of 1 week midway through. Thus you would need to make day-care arrangements during the school holidays (around 2 weeks at Christmas, 1-2 weeks at Easter, 4-5 weeks in the summer and 3 half-term weeks).
Many schools and organisations run local 'holiday clubs' to look after children outside of term-time, though these usually charge a daily fee to attend. In some areas you may be able to find free holiday clubs - they are often run by local churches.
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