Within the Wakefield District there is the following nursery provision:
Nursery schools
The nursery schools provide part-time places for 3 and 4 year olds. Nursery schools also offer additional services.
Nursery Classes
The majority of primary schools across the Wakefield District have nursery provision where children can be admitted part-time the term following their 3rd birthday.
Schools traditionally offer 5 morning or afternoon sessions. A session is 3 hours long. Some school nurseries are offering the Early Years Free Entitlement more flexibly and this can be accessed over 3 days instead of 5.
Reception Classes
Schools that do not have a nursery class do not admit part-time children. Schools with a reception class only admit children who have had their 4th birthday by 31 August full-time at the September of each year. A child will have been through the Council’s admissions process prior to receiving a full-time place in a Reception class.
School Nursery Places
Each setting, school, private nursery or independent provider is responsible for allocating their own nursery places. You will need to contact them to find out how to apply for a place.
Where a school receives more applications than places available then children should be admitted in the following order:
- Children under special educational needs statutory assessment or with a statement of special educational needs (which names the school);
- Children in public care (Looked After Children);
- Children who live in the school’s catchment area or parish area, who have brothers or sisters attending the school at the time of admission;
- Other children who live in the school’s catchment area;
- Children who live outside the school’s catchment area but have brothers or sisters in attendance at the school;
- Other children by age order (admitting eldest first).
Brothers and sisters are defined as children with brothers or sisters (including step-brothers or sisters) living at the same address, in attendance at the same school or a school on the same site, on the date of admission.
Where any criterion category is over subscribed then children within that category should be admitted in an age order basis (eldest first).
All voluntary aided, foundation (trust) schools and academies should admit part-time children following their own full-time admissions criteria as in the published Primary Guide for Parents.
Children from families living outside the Wakefield district will be considered alongside those who live in the district.
The school/provider will be able to tell you when and if a place is likely to become available.
To register your interest in a place you should put your child’s name on a waiting list once they reach two years old. You may want to choose more than one setting just in case your first choice doesn’t have places.
For nurseries within schools there is an agreement that they will let parents know at least six weeks before the term your child would be due to start. This should give you time to make other arrangements if your child does not get a place.
A place in a school nursery class does not guarantee a full-time place at that school. Parents of children in nursery units must complete an Admission Preference Form, in order to request a full-time place in a school, because the admissions criteria has to be applied afresh to determine which school has places. Schools should not put pressure on parents for their child to attend nursery, in order to gain a place at the school.
How to choose the best setting for your child
Every child and parent’s needs are different therefore it is recommended that you visit and spend some time with each prospective setting to see which you like best and to discuss your child’s needs.
Flexibility
Where available the free provision can be taken up flexibly over a minimum of three days a week. A maximum of 10 hours and a minimum of three hours can be claimed in one day, though this is usually offered by private day nurseries and local authority day nurseries. The majority of school nursery classes offer 3 hour long morning or afternoon sessions though some schools are offering the free entitlement flexibly. You will need to ask the school if they are offering the free entitlement flexibly. If you require further information about the flexible offer please contact the Childcare and Market Development Programme on 01924 305630.
Wraparound care
Wraparound care is childcare which wraps around the free part-time place. For example if you would like your child to attend for more than 15 hours and they attend for 5 mornings and you would like them to attend for a full day then you would pay for the lunchtime and afternoon session.
Before and after school childcare
Some schools offer care and play opportunities for children aged three to eleven years. The type of care offered includes breakfast clubs, which are open before school around 8.00am, after school clubs, open until 5.30pm or 6.00pm and holiday care during half-term and main school holidays. You will have to pay to use these. Please check with the school to find out what they offer.
See the attached link to see what extra provision each school offers
Children’s Centres
Children Centres offer access to a range of support for all families with children 0-5 years. Services support families to give children the best start in life and help them to reach their potential. They offer a range of services;
- Support for parents – including advice on parenting, local childcare options and access to specialist services for families.
- Child and family health services – ranging from health visitor and health screening services to breastfeeding support.
- Helping parents into work – with links to Jobcentre Plus and training.
- Integrated childcare and early years education either on site or through linked providers.
See the attached link to find your nearest Children’s Centre or contact the Children’s Centre Central Support Team on 01924 306851/304269 or childrenscentre@wakefield.gov.uk
