Admission to Nursery Classes Booklet 2021 to 2022
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www.bexley.gov.uk Admission to Nursery Classes in Bexley Schools 2021/22 For children born between 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2018 Apply online at www.bexley.gov.uk/admissions Closing date 6 April 2021 Admission to Nursery Class 2020/2021 Starting in a school nursery class A message to Parents and Carers Joining a nursery class is an important step for a child. Nursery classes in Bexley primary Foreword schools follow the Early Years Foundation Stage – a framework which is based on the principle of learning through play and gives a great start to pre-school children. The start of your child’s education in our infant and primary schools and nursery classes is important to us, and you are encouraged to take all the opportunities available to you to find out about our school nurseries in order to make decisions about what is best for your child. Not all primary schools have nursery classes but there are enough places available in total in Bexley school nursery classes and in day nurseries, pre-schools and playgroups run by private, voluntary and independent organisations for every three and four year old resident in the Borough. This booklet has been prepared to give you the information you need when making your application for a place in a nursery class. Council Officers are happy to help by answering questions and providing information. Telephone numbers and email addresses are on the next page. There is one application period for both September and January start dates. Whenever your child’s birthday is, you will need to apply for a nursery place between 16 January and 6 April 2021. On pages 11-15 of this booklet you will find a full list of schools with nursery classes. Most still provide sessions in either mornings or afternoons but some are now offering different patterns of attendance. More detail is provided in the booklet. Although some families are able to claim the extended free childcare entitlement for working parents of 3 – 4 year olds, not all nurseries will be offering this and not all families are entitled to claim it, therefore the London Borough of Bexley’s standard nursery offer remains 15 hours per week, with some schools offering additional hours as a top up for those eligible. Bexley residents can apply online for a nursery class place and we would encourage you to do so. It is quick, easy and secure. Free internet access is available at all libraries if you do not have a computer at home. If you wish to find out more, please telephone the school direct to find out about the arrangements made for parents to visit, or if virtual tours are available. Councillor John Fuller Cabinet Member for Education Admission to Nursery Class 2020/2021 1 Information School Admissions Team Civic Offices 2 Watling Street Bexleyheath DA6 7AT tel: 020 8303 7777 email: [email protected] web: www.bexley.gov.uk/admissions Contact Centre Civic Offices 2 Watling Street Bexleyheath Kent DA6 7AT For general enquiries and information about pre-school provision in Bexley tel: 020 8303 7777 2 Admission to Nursery Class 2020/2021 Contents Contents Message to parents and carers 1 Contact details 2 Part 1: Introduction 4 Nursery classes in Bexley schools 4 Other pre-school places 4 30 hr Funding 4 Part 2: Applying for a Nursery Class Place 5 1. Schools with nursery classes 5 2. Nursery class sessions 5 3. Start dates 5 4. How and where to apply 5 5. Preferences 6 6. Completing the form 6 7. Closing date 6 8. How your application is 6 processed 9. Home address 6 10. How admission is decided 7 11. Notification of decisions 8 12. Waiting lists 8 13. Post offer process 8 14. Appeals 9 15. Toilet training 9 16. Admission to primary school 9 17. Data protection 9 18. Important points 9 Part 3: Location Map of Schools 10 with Nursery Classes Part 4: List of Schools with 11-15 Nursery Classes Part 5: Admission arrangements 16-21 for voluntary aided schools and Academies Admission to Nursery Class 2020/2021 3 Introduction Nursery classes in Bexley schools Other pre-school places Part 1 This booklet is for parents with a child born between The 15 hours free entitlement can also be taken 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2018. It contains in private, voluntary and independent nurseries, information about applying for a place in a nursery preschools and play groups. These providers often class attached to a primary school in Bexley. admit children at a younger age than school nursery classes and more regularly through the year. They The information contained in this booklet is correct are funded directly for the 15 hours; there is no need at time of printing, January 2020. Any changes will for parents to apply separately for funding. Some be published on the Council’s website private, voluntary and independent providers also www.bexley.gov.uk/admissions offer additional hours during the week. The additional Parents are entitled to 15 hours per week of free cost for those hours is a private arrangement early years education for 38 weeks each year from between the parent and the provider. the start of the school term after their child’s third Separate information is available from the Contact birthday until the child reaches compulsory school Centre at the Civic Offices about these options, or age. visit www.bexley.gov.uk/childcare Many nursery classes in Bexley schools offer 3 hour sessions either in the morning or afternoon to cover the free entitlement. Others have introduced new arrangements that offer more flexibility for parents, 30 hour funding such as a combination of full and half day sessions. From September 2017 eligible parents of 3 and 4 year olds have been able to access 30 hours funded A list of the 38 nursery classes in Bexley schools childcare or early education. All 3 and 4 year olds with details of the sessions that they offer is on pages are entitled to 15 hours per week. The additional 15 11 to 15. hours is available for families where both parents Children born between 1 September 2017 and are working (or the sole parent is working in a lone 28 February 2018 can start in a nursery class in parent family). Each parent must earn the equivalent September 2021. Children born between 1 March of 16 hours a week at the national minimum or living 2018 and 31 August 2018 can start in January 2022. wage and less than £100,000 a year. The 30 hours can be used with up to 2 different childcare providers Most schools will admit all children in September between the hours of 6am and 8pm, this includes 2021 if they have enough spaces. nurseries, pre-schools, childminders and breakfast There is one application period for both start dates. and after school clubs, making it more easily You must apply between 16 January and 6 April accessible for working parents. 2021 to be sure that your application is considered Any questions or queries specifically and only for your preferred school. There may be places about 30 hour and not our funding, please contact available in some schools for children who apply [email protected] after the closing date, but late applications will only be considered after those that are submitted by 6 April 2021. 4 Admission to Nursery Class 2020/2021 Applying for a Nursery Class Place 1. Schools with nursery classes There may not be enough places for all nursery children to start in September, for example, where 38 infant and primary schools in Bexley have nursery Part 2 parents of younger children opt to delay their start classes for children aged three and four years old. in Reception until January or where more children The schools are listed on pages 11 to 15 of this born between September and February have been booklet. You can apply for most nursery classes allocated a place than the number of places available on the London Borough of Bexley’s online or paper in September. In this case, places will normally be application form, but some voluntary aided (faith) allocated according to age, in order of date of birth schools and Academies have their own separate from oldest to youngest. admission process. Please read Part 5 of the booklet for details of these schools and how to apply. 4. How and where to apply If you live in the borough of Bexley, you can apply 2. Nursery class sessions online for most nursery classes from 16 January Nursery classes are part time for 12½ to 15 hours 2021 at www.bexley.gov.uk/admissions. each week during school term time. Paper application forms will be available on request Usually children attend either a morning or afternoon for Bexley residents who are unable to apply online, session of 2½ or 3 hours, but some schools offer full and for families living outside the Bexley borough, by days and flexible combinations of sessions. emailing [email protected] from Where a school offers both morning and afternoon 16 January 2021. Residents of other boroughs must sessions, the school will decide how to allocate complete a paper application form, as the online sessions. Sessions may be allocated randomly, system is only open to Bexley residents. and some schools may allow parents to express a Completed paper application forms should be preference. No guarantee is made of the session returned to the school with the nursery class that you time when a place is offered.