Admissions to Newby Primary School Nursery

The nursery is a community resource. The nursery waiting list and admissions policy are separate and distinct from the school waiting list and policy.

It is necessary to put a child’s name on both waiting lists if a place is required in both nursery and Reception classes. Admission to nursery does not mean that a child will automatically get a school place. Nursery placement confers no advantage as regards the school admissions system.

A child’s name can be put on the waiting list at any age. Where lists are long and registration is late, parents are advised to consider other local settings and registration at more than one school.

There are two main points of entry in to nursery in each school year: September and January, following the transfer of the older cohorts to Reception.

Criteria for allocating places are as follows:

1. The child must be over three.

2. The child must normally be fully toilet trained. The exception is where the child has a disability which affects toileting.

3. Parents must be able to give commitment to ensure daily attendance. Again, to avoid
putting a disabled child at a disadvantage, exceptions will only be made where absences are a result of the disability.

Wherever possible, children should be able to attend for three terms prior to Reception transfer age.

Length of time on the waiting list is the main criterion for entry.

Priority is given to certain cases:

• referrals from other statutory agencies on the basis of need. In this case, we would normally expect to be involved in a multidisciplinary review to access the needs and the overall package of support before admitting the child

• transferees from other Bradford nurseries, except where the other nursery is local and the family has not moved.

If we can not contact a family to offer a place because the family have moved or changed contact details without informing us, or because they do not respond to a letter by the date and time stated, the child’s name will be removed from the waiting list.

If a family has declined a place and subsequently wants one, the child can be put back on the list but with the new request date as the date of registration. If, however, a postponement has been negotiated – for example, so that we can support a job access initiative or the toilet-training process – the child is eligible again for a place at the next intake point. Under these circumstances, a child may enter for two terms or even a single term, though the child’s best interests would need to be considered.

In line with Bradford policy, families taking children on extended visits abroad should fill a form prior to departure letting us know the expected date of return. After four weeks absence a child’s name is removed from the register.

If a child has had a place at Newby and lost it through extended absence, voluntary withdrawal or failure to attend, a parent may re-apply. In such cases the new waiting list date applies.

Admissions to Newby Primary School

The policy is designed by Governors to enable children to be admitted to school twice a year.

• In September for children whose fifth birthday falls between September lst and the end of February.
• In January for children whose fifth birthday falls between March 1st and August 31st.

Where the number of first preferences for a school exceeds the number of places available, priority will be given to:

1. Children who live in the School’s Priority Admission Area who have an older brother or sister, attending from the same address and who will still be attending the school at the time of admission (in-area siblings).

2. Other children who live in the School’s Priority Admission Area.

3. Children who live outside the School’s Priority Admission Area who have an older brother or sister, attending from the same address and who will be attending the school at the time of admission (out of area siblings).

4. Any other applicants naming the school as a first preference.

Generally children transfer from the Nursery into full time education. There are, however, instances when children are admitted directly from home.

Prior to your child starting Nursery or school you will be invited to a meeting at which the Headteacher will outline the school organisation and discuss any questions you may have.
Demand for places frequently exceeds the number available; preference will therefore be given to those children with a brother or sister in school. The Local Education Authority may then draw up a catchment area for that particular year and will advise parents of schools in the area, which do have places. Any parent who is unhappy with the allocation has the right of appeal.