When should I register my child?
You should register once your child becomes two years old. Registration forms are available from the school. You should also bring along your child’s birth certificate so we can confirm their date of birth.
How old does my child need to be in order to be considered for a nursery place?
The nursery is intended for children who are 3 and 4 years old. Therefore your child can start at the nursery following their third birthday, provided that places are available. However, the FREE ENTITLEMENT does not start until the term following your child’s third birthday.
What nursery sessions are available?
The nursery will be open to coincide with the terms and times of the school day. It will be open for 38 weeks per year between 8.30am and 3.00pm. Within this, we aim to provide flexible care and education. Currently there are four daily session options as follows:
Options:
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Nursery session times:
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Option 1
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8.30am to 11.30am (3 hours)
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Option 2
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12.00pm to 3.00pm (3 hours)
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Option 3
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8.30am to 3.00pm (6 hours funding + 1/2 hr to pay) |
Option 4
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9.00am to 3.00pm (6 hours)
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How many sessions should my child attend each week?
Your child may attend for any number of sessions. You can indicate on the registration form the sessions you prefer. Naturally, there can be no guarantees that you will get these sessions as it will depend upon the number of other applications and preferences.
Can I choose different options on different days?
Yes. You can select a variety of session options within a week to suit your domestic circumstances. However, once agreed, these arrangements can only be changed on a half termly basis. You will need to give 4 week’s notice of any changes you wish to make for the next half term. Such changes will be conditional upon the availability of places.
Do I have to pay for the nursery?
Yes. However, all children are entitled to a government funded free entitlement from the term after they become 3. This funds each child for 15 hours of pre-school education and care for 38 weeks a year.
Any hours in excess of the 15 hours will require paying for at a rate of £5.50 per hour.
When will I have to pay for my childs place?
Payments will need to be made in advance of the start of each half term. Invoices will be sent to you and will include a final payment date. Failure to pay on time will result in sessions being reduced to just those covered by the free entitlement. You will be asked to agree to these terms when you accept a place at the nursery. The nursery is self financing and therefore we are dependent upon your prompt payment of fees. Please note that invoices for the first half of the Autumn term will be sent out in the second half of the Summer term.
Payments should be made directly to the school office or by post. Cheques should be made payable to Maidenbower Infant School.
Charges will be reviewed annually and a term’s notice will be given in writing to each parent if there is to be any change. Refunds will not be given for sickness, holidays, hospitalisation, planned or unplanned absence.
How will decisions about the allocation of nursery places be made?
Our guiding principle is to offer the highest quality nursery education and care to local pre-school children. Allocation of places will be based strictly on the criteria in our nursery admissions policy. Where there are more applications than places available within each criterion, then decisions will be based on date of registration. Great care will be taken to ensure that the admission criteria are rigorously and fairly applied.
When will I hear if my child has been offered a place?
All places will be offered by e-mail where an e-mail address has been given. This e-mail will indicate what sessions your child has been offered. You must confirm your acceptance of the place in writing within 2 weeks of receiving the letter. Failure to do so will result in the place being offered to someone else.
You will receive an e-mail or letter informing whether your child has been offered a place as follows:-
September places - April
January places - September
April places - January
Following this, nearer your child’s start, we will explain how we would like to introduce both you and your child to the Nursery, including information about the arrangements for your child to visit prior to their start.
If my child gets a place in the nursery, will they automatically get a place in one of the school’s reception classes?
No. The Local Education Authority manages admissions into school. You will receive information about school admissions in the Autumn term before the September of the school year in which your child will become 5 years old.
We look forward to receiving your registration form. We know your child will be very happy in our nursery and we look forward to working closely with you.
