Admissions Policy
At Little Buttercups we care for 63 children between the ages of 3months and 5 years
The numbers and ages of children admitted to the nursery comply with the legal space requirements set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). When considering admissions we are mindful of staff: child ratios and the facilities available at the nursery.
The nursery will use the following admission criteria which will be applied in the following order of priority:
- Availabilty of spaces, taking into account the staff/child ratios, the age of the child and the registration requirements
- Looked after children
- When an application is received, extra weight is given to those who have been on the waiting list the longest
- A child known by the local authority to have special educational needs and/or a disability (SEND) and whose needs can be best met at the preferred nursery
- A vulnerable child with either a Child Protection or a Child in Need Plan, or in receipt of other local authority support
- Children who have siblings who are already with us
- Children whose parents live within the area.
A child requiring a full-time place may have preference over one requiring a part-time place. This is dependent upon work commitments, occupancy and room availability. We operate a waiting list and places are offered on an availability basis.
We operate an inclusion and equality policy and ensure that all children have access to nursery places and services irrespective of their gender, race, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation of parents.
Prior to a child attending nursery, parents must complete and sign a contract and registration form. These forms provide the nursery with personal details relating to the child. For example, name, date of birth, address, emergency contact details, parental responsibilities, dietary requirements, collection arrangements, fees and sessions, contact details for parents, doctor’s contact details, health visitor contact details, allergies, parental consent and vaccinations etc.
Providers eligible to provide government funded places for early education
We are eligible providers of the 2 and 3 year early years funding entitlement (including 15 and 30 hours) We offer fully funded places for children subject to availability, these are allocated to individuals and remain valid until they transfer to school or leave the setting and the place then becomes available to another child.
There is a consumable charge in place, this is discussed on an individual basis. This charge is to cover the costs of all meals , snacks, the extra activities we provide and all other sundries. These additional charges are not a condition of accessing a place.
All nursery fees are to be paid monthly in advance.
Funded Places
The early years entilement is available to use towards your childcare and can be used between the hours of 7.30am – 6pm with a maximum of 10 hours per day
The session price with consumable charges includes all meals, snacks and activities. All children are offered a 2 course home cooked lunch and tea, healthy morning and afternoon snack and a wide variety of extra activities. As the government funding is not intended to cover the cost of meals , snacks and extra activities there is a consumable charge in place for these. Please note, the ability to pay these consumable charges is not a condition of accessing a place. We will discuss all options with parents on an individual basis
The government funding is paid for 38 weeks of the year, however we offer the flexibility to stretch the funding over 52 weeks , allowing 22.5 hours per week.
When you register your child with us we will discuss your needs, and as far as possible, depending on availability, and staffing arrangements we will accommodate your wishes.
We are only permitted to claim payment for the hours that have been agreed with you in the parental agreement.
The early years entitlement offer applies to those receiving the universal and extended hours. We need to have a copy of your child’s birth certificate and a parental agreement in place before your child starts with us.
We also need to keep a copy of any 2 year funded letter including reference number showing eligibility, this will be kept in your child’s file.
Please note it is a parents responsibility to inform us of any changes that may affect your early years entitlement.
| This policy was adopted on | Signed on behalf of the nursery | Date for review |
| 01.05.2023 | C. Holden | May 2024 |
