Information for families, carers, teachers and associated professionals concerned with children under the age of 19.

Funding for Play

As part of the Big Lottery Children's Play Initiative, Wakefield Council has been awarded £772,573 to improve play opportunities and play provision across the district.  See the link below on Wakefield Play Strategy for more information.

Two Points of Entry to be Introduced from September 2009

Following the recent consultation on two points of entry for four year olds into full time education; the Council has concluded that four year old children will be admitted to full-time schooling at either September or January.  This will take effect from September 2009. Therefore:

• Children born between 1 September and 31 December (Autumn born children) will continue to start school at the beginning of September.
  
• Children born between I January and 31 March (Spring born children) will be admitted to full-time school in September instead of January.
  
• Children born between 1 April and 30 April (Summer born children) will continue to be admitted to full-time school at January.
  
• Children born between 1 May and 31 August (Summer born children) will be admitted to full time school at January instead of after Easter.
  
• Three year olds will continue to be admitted part-time 3 times per year and this includes after Easter.

If you would like further information then please email information@wakefield.gov.uk or telephone 01924 305630.

Primary Capital Programme

A programme of how we are going to invest in our primary school buildings for the next 14 years, starting from 2009/2010.

This will make a real difference to school buildings, improving how they look and what they offer.  Click on the link 'Primary Capital Programme' for more information.

Early Years Funding Report

The attached documents detail the findings following a cost analysis exercise to establish how much it costs the private, voluntary and independent (PVI) nursery providers in the Wakefield District to deliver the free nursery education entitlement.

The Early Years Funding Report was put together in consultation with Wakefield's Early Years Reference group.  This group was made up of members of the PVI sector and officers from Wakefield Council's Childcare and Market Development Programme and Finance team.

The report's findings show that in most cases Wakefield pays its PVI providers in excess of what it costs to deliver the free nursery education.  The report explains that costing figures used were based on those supplied in provider annual accounts which were collected as part of the NEF audit process.

If you have any questions regarding the attached Funding Report please contact the Childcare and Market Development Group on 01924 306380 or email information@wakefield.gov.uk