Early Learning and Childcare

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Education and Youth Employment House Irvine KA12 8EE t. 01294 310 000 www.north-.gov.uk 1 2 Early Learning and Childcare

Children enjoy attending early years centres and classes. Research shows that the education children receive in their early years helps future development.

North Ayrshire Council is committed to the provision of quality This booklet will early learning and childcare. From August 2014 all 3 and 4 year- old children living in are entitled to a minimum provide information on: of 600 hours per year. This is usually offered over five mornings or afternoon sessions. We are however, in the process of • When your child becomes developing more flexible options to suit the needs of parents. eligible for early learning and childcare There are no catchment areas for early learning and childcare and parents can apply for a place for their child in any establishment • How to apply for an early in North Ayrshire. Early learning and childcare can be accessed learning and childcare in centres, or early year classes attached to primary schools. The placement in North Ayrshire Council also works in partnership with private and voluntary providers to ensure that they have a sufficient number of places • The Admissions Policy for early and a range of provision available to meet the needs and learning and childcare preferences of parents and their children.

• What to expect from early Placement in an early years class attached to a school does not learning and childcare in North guarantee a place in the primary school. Early learning and Ayrshire Council childcare provision is non-denominational.

• Questions you may have about North Ayrshire Council also provides a number of places for your child starting children under three years. These places are allocated to children referred by Social Services, Health or Psychological Services. • Details of all establishments in North Ayrshire Places will also be offered to eligible 2 year-old children including those who are looked after or under a kinship care order and • Useful Contacts children whose parents are in receipt of certain benefits. More information can be found at: www..gov.uk 3 4 When will my How do I apply child become for an early eligible for learning and early learning childcare place and childcare? for my child?

Children will normally become Early learning and childcare eligible for a place in the month registration takes place in late January. after their third birthday. However, An advert will appear in the local press children whose birthdays fall on, reminding you of this. You should or between, 1 March and 30 June contact the establishment of your will still be entitled to a place in choice, usually the one nearest your the following school year. home. If you do not know where your nearest centre is you can call This means if your child turns three Childcare and Recreation Information between 1 March and 30 June they Service (CARIS) on 0345 351 3000. will start an early years class/centre when the new At the centre you will be asked to fill in session starts in August. This is in an application form and provide your line with school starting dates. child’s birth certificate. You will also be asked to state your second and Children with birthdays from July third choice of establishment. to February will start the month after their third birthday. You should register your child for an early learning and childcare place from the January following their second birthday. 5 6

North Ayrshire Council has agreed that there are The priorities are as follows: How are circumstances which will give some children priority for admission into an early years class/centre. These places priorities will be used for admissions to all Council Admissions to Early Learning allocated? centres. and Childcare Establishments The head of the establishment will carefully consider all applications and find out which children have priority according to the ‘Admissions to Early Years Establishments Policy’. Places will then be allocated Priority 1 according to the priorities in the policy.

All children in Priority 1 will be allocated places first Children in Need then Priority 2 and so on. The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 places a duty on Councils to provide support for children who are in Where there are insufficient places to meet the need of care and attention. These children will be demand for an early year class/centre, difficult identified by a range of professionals and support decisions must be made in allocating these places services involved with children and families. When and a ballot will be held. There are guidelines to identified, an assessment is submitted to the local ensure that this is carried out in an open and fair Early Years Partnership Forum and places will be manner. agreed and allocated at this meeting. It is not always possible to place all children in the Children with Additional early years class/centre of their choice. Support Needs When a child has been allocated a place in an early The Education (Additional Support for Learning) years class/centre they are entitled to remain there (Scotland) Act 2004 places a duty on Councils to until they are of age to move to primary school. provide appropriate support for children assessed Some children move to a different early years as having additional support for learning needs. class/centre for their pre-school year and they will Places will be allocated to these children, following have to apply for a place in the same way. appropriate discussion and agreement with parents, centres and professional agencies. 7 8 Priority 2 Priority 5 All children in their pre-school year living within the boundary Children in their ante-pre-school of North Ayrshire and those year residing in North Ayrshire. children with January/ February birthdays whose parents choose to defer their child’s entry to Priority 6 primary school. Children in their pre-school year Priority 3 residing outwith North Ayrshire. All children living within the Priority 7 boundary of North Ayrshire whose parents choose to defer Children in their ante-pre-school their child’s entry to primary year residing outwith North school and this has been agreed Ayrshire. by North Ayrshire Council Education & Youth Employment. Priority 4

Children in their ante-pre-school year residing within North Ayrshire. Places will be allocated by month of birth in accordance with the table T1 of the Admissions to Early Years Establishments Policy. 9 10

In the early years class/centre there will be fully What to qualified friendly staff who will be able to respond to Questions you may have about your child expect your child’s needs. They use the guidelines from a attending an early years class/centre Curriculum for Excellence to plan interesting from Early experiences to help him/her learn through play.

Learning The early years class/centre premises will be safe Q. Does my and and secure and children will have access to a wide A. range of interesting resources including outdoor child have to No. Attendance at the centre is not compulsory, Childcare play. Children will have the opportunity to make attend an however children benefit greatly from attending. friends with other children and have fun in a safe early years Education environment where each child’s culture, religion and class/centre? language are respected. Q. Can I apply A. As a parent/carer you will be encouraged to become to any early Yes, however, children normally attend the centre involved in your child’s learning. years centre? closest to their home. You may wish to apply to another early years class/centre that is closer for childcare or your place of work.

Q. What A. sessions are Usually five mornings or five afternoon sessions are usually offered? offered. Within each neighbourhood there are some early years centres/ classes who will be able to offer a different model for working parents. If you have a specific request e.g. split placement, speak to the head of the establishment when you register your child.

Q. Do I have to A. pay anything for Most centres ask for a small weekly donation towards my child’s place the cost of providing snacks or special treats for your at an early child. Some of our partner providers may have an years centre? additional charge. You should ask about costs when you register your child. 11 12

Q. Can I A. Q. What A. change centre No. If your child has a place with a partner provider you guarantee do I Centres must meet registration requirements agreed at any time? may have to sign a contract agreeing to give a period of have that the by the Care Inspectorate in order to be registered. notice before moving. It can also be disruptive for your early years All registered centres are inspected by the Care child to move centre unless it is necessary. class/centre is of Inspectorate and HMIE (Education Scotland). Copies of recent inspection reports should be available in a good standard? the early years class/centre and can be accessed at Q. Can I A. www.careinspectorate.com and request a Most parents wish their child to attend five mornings a www.educationscotland.gov.uk morning place week. Unfortunately, there are insufficient morning In addition to this North Ayrshire Council has its own for my child? places to satisfy the demand. You will be asked to state system for promoting quality in early year’s your preference for a morning or afternoon place when classes/centres. you complete your application form and the centre will try to allocate the session of your choice. However, if the demand exceeds the places a ballot will be held. Q. What A. information will I Staff in the centre will observe your child and record get on my his/her progress and development. They will share Q. What if I A. child’s progress? this information with you informally throughout the don’t feel my Children usually start school aged between four and session. You will also be given a report on your child is ready to five in Scotland. However parents of children with child’s progress and be invited into the early years start school? birthdays in January and February can request a class/centre to discuss your child’s development. deferred entry into school and children can have another year at the early years class/centre. Q. Will there be Parents of children with birthdays from September to A. December can also request a deferred entry to primary support available All children are treated as individuals in the centre school if they do not feel their child is ready to start if my child has and their learning needs will be met. If your child has school. additional needs? been assessed as having additional support for learning needs, the early years class/centre will work If you wish to consider deferring your child’s entry into with you and a range of support services to ensure school you should speak to the headteacher/head of your child’s needs are met. centre. They will be happy to advise you on your child’s progress and readiness for school. You will then be given a form to apply for deferred entry to primary school. Sometimes an assessment is carried out with the child to check his/her readiness for school. 13 14

Q. What A. Local Authority Early happens if I Information in relation to childcare is available through need additional the Childcare & Recreation Information Service (CARIS). Years Classes and Early early learning Assistance towards the costs of childcare may be and childcare available through Tax Credits and Universal Years Centres Credits, telephone 0345 351 3000. for my child? *Provision also provided for 2 year-olds

Q. Can my child A. Abbey Primary & Early Years Class Claremont Crescent, KA13 7HD go to a centre If you would like to send your child to an early years which is located class/centre outwith North Ayrshire you should contact Tel: 01294 552251 the local authority in which the centre is located and in another local Ardeer Primary & Early Years Class authority area? contact Education and Youth Employment at North Ayrshire Council on 01294 310000. Clark Crescent, KA20 3LZ Tel: 01294 469785

Beith Primary & Early Years Class Glebe Road, KA15 1EZ Tel: 01505 502363

Some Useful Blacklands Primary & Early Years Class David’s Crescent, Kilwinning KA13 6JJ Contacts Childcare & Recreation Tel: 01294 552626 Information Service (CARIS) Education and Youth Employment Telephone: 0345 351 3000 Brisbane Primary & Early Years Class North Ayrshire Council Web: www.families.scot Holehouse Road, KA30 9DZ Cunninghame House, Tel: 01475 686601 Irvine KA12 8EE Children and Young People Bill Telephone: 01294 310000 Web: www.scotland.gov.uk Caledonia Primary & Early Years Class North Ayrshire Council Campbell Avenue, KA21 5AF Web: www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk Education Scotland Tel: 01294 472092 Web: www.educationscotland.gov.uk Care Inspectorate Local Office Castlepark Early Years Centre* Telephone: 0345 6009527 Tax Credits & Universal Credits Castlepark, Carron Place, Irvine KA12 9LQ Web: www.hmrc.gov.uk Web: www.careinspectorate.com Tel: 01294 278335 15 216 1

Corrie Primary & Early Years Class Garnock Valley Early Years Centre* Corrie, KA27 8JP St Bridget’s PS Campus, Hagthorn Avenue Tel: 01770 810244 KA25 6EJ Tel: 01505 681322 Corsehill Primary & Early Years Class* Road, Kilwinning KA13 7LW Glencairn Primary & Early Years Class* Tel: 01294 552418 New Street, Stevenston KA20 3HQ Tel: 01294 464376 Cumbrae Primary & Early Years Class Hayocks Primary & Early Years Class Bute Terrace, Millport, Isle of Cumbrae KA28 0BB Lumsden Place, Stevenston KA20 4HG Tel: 01475 530343 Tel: 01294 465283 Dalry Early Years Centre* Kelburn Primary & Early Years Class Sharon Street, Dalry KA24 5DR Moorburn Road, Largs KA30 9HT Tel: 01294 832200 Tel: 01475 675216 Primary & Early Years Class Kilmory Primary & Early Years Class Dundonald Road, Dreghorn KA11 4AP Kilmory, Isle of Arran KA27 8PQ Tel: 01294 211018 Tel: 01770 870262

Elderbank Primary & Early Years Class Kilwinning Early Years Centre Pennyburn Primary School* St Kilda Bank, , KA11 1LA Sundrum Place, Kilwinning KA13 6SE Tel: 01294 218632 Tel: 01294 550858 Fairlie Primary & Early Years Class Primary & Early Years Class Morton Way, Fairlie KA29 0BW Mackelvie Road, Lamlash, Isle of Arran Tel: 01475 568441 KA27 8NP Tel: 01770 600527 Garnock Community Campus Early Years Class* Primary & Early Years Class Beith Road, , KA14 3BF Lochlibo Road, Lawthorn, Irvine KA11 2AY Tel No: 01505 682685 Tel: 01294 224548

Gateside Primary & Early Years Class Loudoun-Montgomery Primary & Early Years Class* Main Road, Gateside, Near Beith Ayr Road, Irvine KA12 8DF KA15 2LF Tel: 01294 279031 Tel: 01505 502776 Mayfield Primary & Early Years Class Kenilworth Drive, Saltcoats KA21 6HS Tel: 01294 465576 17 18

Moorpark Primary & Early Years Class St Mark’s Primary & Early Years Class Milton Road, Kilbirnie KA25 7EP Clark Drive, Irvine KA12 0NS Tel: 01505 685386 Tel: 01294 271167 Primary & Early Years Class St Mary’s Primary & Early Years Class Pirnmill, Isle of Arran KA27 8HP Linn Avenue, Largs KA30 9JU Tel: 01770 850226 Tel: 01475 674382 Primary & Early Years Class St Peter’s Primary & Early Years Class Shiskine, Isle of Arran KA27 8EP South Isle Road, KA22 7PX Tel: 01770 860207 Tel: 01294 462554 Primary & Early Years Class School & Early Years Class* Innes Park Road, Skelmorlie PA17 5BA Burns Crescent, Irvine KA11 1AQ Tel: 01475 520997 Tel: 01294 211914 Springside Primary & Early Years Class Stanley Primary & Early Years Class Station Road, Springside KA11 3AZ Stanley Road, Ardrossan KA22 7DH Tel: 01294 211651 Tel: 01294 462531 Springvale Early Years Centre* Whitlees Community Centre 2 year old provision* Drive, Saltcoats KA21 6JD Carrick Place, Ardrossan KA22 7DT Tel: 01294 607025 Tel: 01294 462531 St Bridget’s Primary & Early Years Class Primary & Early Years Class Hagthorn Avenue, Kilbirnie KA25 6EJ Road, West Kilbride Tel: 01505 683293 KA23 9EX Early Years only open AM Tel: 01294 829978 St John Ogilvie Primary & Early Years Class Contact School PM Tel: 01294 822353 13 Towerlands Farm Road Irvine KA11 1PZ Winton Primary & Early Years Class* Tel: 01294 218823 Anderson Terrace Ardrossan KA13 6NQ St John’s Primary & Early Years Class Tel: 01294 464443 Morrison Avenue, Stevenston KA20 4HH Tel: 01294 464557 Woodlands Primary & Early Years Class Woodlands Avenue, Irvine KA12 0PU St Luke’s Primary & Early Years Class Tel: 01294 279532 Pennyburn Road, Kilwinning KA13 6LF Tel: 01294 552131 19 20

PARTNER PRE-SCHOOL CENTRES

Annick Pre School Douglas Park Nursery Old Parish Church, 47 Kirkgate Cathcart Road Irvine KA12 0DG Largs KA30 8JB Tel: 07546 282992 Tel: 07971 523702

Bradshaw Nursery First Steps Nursery 22 Bradshaw Street 216 Bank Street Saltcoats KA21 5HR Irvine KA12 0YD Tel: 01294 471576 Tel: 01294 212632

Bright Beginnings Nursery Little Deers Nursery Guide Hall, Muir Drive Buckreddan Care Centre Irvine KA12 0NR Irvine Road Tel: 07977 557626 Kilwinning KA13 7PF Tel: 01294 542707 Nursery Brodick Public Hall, Brodick Owl and Pussycat Too Nursery Isle of Arran KA27 8DL 1 Montgomery Lane Tel: 07944 033993 Irvine KA12 8PS Tel: 01294 270700 Burnside House Nursery Childcare Scotland, Burnside House24 Playtime Nursery Kilwinning Road Dalry Community Centre Irvine KA12 8RU St Margaret Avenue Tel No: 01294 313180 Dalry KA24 4BA Tel: 01294 833288 or alternatively Busy Bees Nursery 07881 883544 The James Moffat Centre 187 Glasgow Street Ardrossan KA22 8JY Tel: 07967 129330 or Tel: 01294 470892 21 22

Rainbow Childcare West Kilbride Early Years Centre 19 Howgate Community Centre, Corse Street Kilwinning KA13 6EN West Kilbride KA23 9AX Tel: 01294 557651 Tel: 01294 829217

Summerlea House Nursery Whitehirst Park Private Nursery Childcare Scotland West Doura Farm 9 Union Street Stevenston Road Largs KA30 8DG Kilwinning KA13 6NQ Tel: 01475 672011 Tel: 01294 551171

St Peter’s Children’s Centre St Peter’s Parish Centre 1 South Crescent Road Ardrossan KA22 8DU Tel: 01294 473030

The Yellow Brick Road Early Years Centre St Columba’s Church Hall 13 Glasgow Street Kilbirnie, KA25 7AP Tel No: 01505 227120

Treetops Too Private Nursery Ailsa Road, Saltcoats Ayrshire KA21 6LR Tel: 01294 607270

Treetops Private Nursery 83 Anderson Drive Irvine KA12 9HY Tel: 01294 312600