The Mawney Foundation School: Nursery Admissions PolicyJan 2017
The Mawney
Foundation School
Admissions Policy
for Nursery
Implemented: January 2017
Next Review due: January 2018
With the agreement of the Governing Body of The Mawney Foundation School the Admission Policy of the Nursery is stated below:
The Mawney Foundation School is committed to providing an education and environment which offers equality in opportunities and freedom from discrimination. We believe that all pupils and members of staff should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential whatever their background, identity and circumstances. We are committed to creating a community that recognises and celebrates difference within a culture of respect and co-operation.
As the Nursery does not have a defined catchment area, all parents are eligible to register their child’s name.
Admission Criteria
If there are more requests from parents/carers than the number of places available the following criteria will apply and the amount of time a child has been on the waiting list will not be taken into consideration.
Places are allocated according to:
1. Looked AfterChild (LAC) (Children in Public Care) (see note 1).
2. Children of staff at The Mawney Foundation School
a) Where the member of staff has been employed at The Mawney Foundation School for two or more years at the time at which the application of admission to the school is made and/or
b) The member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.
3. Siblings - Children who have a brother or sister attending The Mawney Foundation School at the beginning of their first term (see note 2).
4. Proximity – proximity as measured in a straight line from the front door of the home to the front door of the school (see note 3 and 4).
Notes
1. A looked after child (LAC) is a child who is in care to a local authority or who is provided with accommodation by that authority and will still be looked after when at the time an application for their admission to a school is made, and who the local authority has confirmed will still be looked after at the time when the child is admitted to the school. Children placed by the Local Authority by a Kinship or residency order are NOT classed as a looked afterchild.
2. Sibling refers to brother or sister, half brother or sister, adopted brother or sister, step brother or sister, or the child of the parent/carer’s partner, and in every case, the child should be living in the same family unit at the same address. The elder sibling must still be on roll at the school when the younger child starts school.
3. “Home" being where the child normally resides as their only or principal residence. Addresses involved in child minding (professional or relatives) are excluded. Parents will be asked to provide documentary evidence to confirm an address and parental responsibility. It is expected that the applicant and pupil will still be resident at the same address when the child starts school unless exceptional circumstances apply.
4. Distance will be measured (in a straight line) from the front door of the child’s home address (including flats) to the main entrance of the school, using the Local Authority’s computerised measuring system, with those living closer to the school receiving the higher priority.
Funded Places and Privately Funded Places
Children will be admitted the term after their third birthday (see below), or shortly after their third birthday if places are available. The child will then have access to the 15 or 30 free hours Government funding for three and four year olds. Parents/carers can also apply for privately funded places as well as an additional hour over lunchtime. Please refer to the Nursery Terms and Conditions for more information.
Children born between:
- 1st January and 31st March will start in April (Summer Term):
Places allocated and notified before February Half Term
- 1st April to 31st August will start in September (Autumn Term):
Places allocated and notified before May Half Term
- 1st September to 31st December will start in January (Spring Term):
Places allocated and notified before October Half Term
Procedure for Admission
Parents/carers must place their child’s name to the list/waiting list for a place for the 15 to 30 free/privately funded hours. Parents may request a morning or afternoon place but the school cannot guarantee this can be accommodated.
1. A letter will be sent with an offer of a morning or afternoon place. A signed acceptance slip is required within 14 days of receipt.
2. Before starting at the Nursery, all parents/carers will be offered a visit to the Nursery setting to meet staff and to get to know the school. An arrangement will also be made for the parent/carer and child to come into the Nursery for a ‘stay and play’ session for an hour to aid transition. During this visit a start date will also be supplied.
3. Admissions forms to be completed.
4. Birth dates will be checked and a copy of the Birth Certificate will be taken.
5. A copy of a utility bill for verification of the child’s address will also be taken.
NB: There is NO automatic transfer for Nursery children to the main school. There is NO automatic offer of a sibling place without making an application. To apply for a place in the main school parents/carers must submit an application to the Local Authority by the specified closing date, adhering to the Admissions code and the School’s Admission criteria.
Children who are eligible for the 30 hour funded place may have this place reduced to 15 hours if the parent/carer is no longer eligible for the 30 hour funded place.
The Mawney Foundation School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
This policy has been reviewed and to the best of our knowledge we do not feel that it impacts on any group or individual within our school community.