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Your questions about nurseries

  1. When will my child become eligible for a nursery place?
  2. How do I apply to get my child into a pre-school nursery or playgroup?
  3. How does the nursery admissions process work?
  4. Why can my child only have 5 mornings or 5 afternoon sessions of funded pre-school education?
  5. I wish to defer my child's school entry for a year, can I get funding to attend nursery?
  6. Do children who live within the Stirling Council area get priority for a nursery/playgroup place over a child who lives outside the area?
  7. I am moving house. Can my child stay at their present nursery, as I now live outside the catchment area?
  8. I am unhappy with the care that my child is receiving at the nursery school s/he is attending. What should I do?
  9. Is there any financial assistance of parents on low income or single parents?
  10. What do private nurseries charge?
  11. I need a playgroup and an Out of School Care Club. Who can give me information?

1.  When will my child become eligible for a nursery place?

Children are entitled to a free part-time pre-school education place from the start of the term after their third birthday. However, children can be enrolled and admitted immediately following their third birthday provided that places are available and no additional resources are required.

Some nurseries also have places for children under 3 years old and children are admitted in line with the priorities within the admissions policy. More information on enrolling your child at nursery....

2.  How do I apply to get my child into a pre-school nursery or playgroup?

Contact the nursery or playgroup directly and ask for an application form. It's a good idea to visit the nursery, have a look round and chat to staff. More information on enrolling your child at nursery....

3.  How does the nursery admissions process work?

We have an information leaflet we can send to parents explaining about the criteria, birth dates, etc. If you would like a copy please phone the contact centre on 0845 277 7000. More information on enrolling your child at nursery....

4.  Why can my child only have 5 mornings or 5 afternoon sessions of funded pre-school education?

Children are funded for 412.5 hours annually, which is 12.5 hours per week for 39 weeks – the length of the school year. If you wish your child to remain at nursery for longer than 12.5 hours per week, or more weeks of the year, you should investigate the possibility of purchasing more sessions with your childcare provider.

By 2010, the hours of funded pre-school education for 3 and 4 year olds are due to increase to 15 hours per week for 39 weeks.

5.  I wish to defer my child's school entry for a year, can I get funding to attend nursery?

If your child will be 4 years of age in January or February of the year in which he/she would normally attend school, then funding will automatically be available for an additional year at nursery but you must complete a Deferred Entry Application Form to access the funding. The form is available from your child’s nursery.

If your child will be 4 years of age prior to January/February, you may be considered for funding if you submit a Deferred Entry Application and evidence is provided by you and your child’s nursery, that s/he will significantly benefit from another year in nursery. The form is available from your child’s nursery.

If your child is not automatically entitled to another year of funding and your application is unsuccessful, you can still choose to defer his/her entry to school so long as their fifth birthday falls after the start of term in August. However, you would have to pay for the nursery place. More information on this is available from your child’s nursery. More information on deferred entry....

6.  Do children who live within the Stirling Council area get priority for a nursery/playgroup place over a child who lives outside the area?

Yes.

7.  I am moving house. Can my child stay at their present nursery, as I now live outside the catchment area?

Children may remain at the nursery they are attending but you will need to complete a Cross-Boundary Disclaimer Form and you will be responsible for transporting your child to and from nursery. The Cross-Boundary Disclaimer Form is available from the nursery.

8.  I am unhappy with the care that my child is receiving at the nursery school s/he is attending. What should I do?

In the first instance, you should speak to the Head or Manager at the nursery.

If you are still unhappy and the nursery your child attends is either a Council nursery or a private /voluntary sector service working in partnership with the Council, you should contact Children’s Services and we will advise you further on any other action, including when concerns should be raised with the Care Commission.

If you are still unhappy and the nursery your child attends is a private/voluntary sector service NOT working in partnership with the Council, you should contact the local Care Commission office directly on 01786 406363.

9.  Is there any financial assistance of parents on low income or single parents?

Yes, you can apply for Working Families Tax Credit and/or New Deal.

10.  What do private nurseries charge?

Contact the nursery direct. They all charge different rates and have different reductions for brothers and sisters.

11.  I need a playgroup and an Out of School Care Club. Who can give me information?

Stirling Children’s Information Service, telephone 01786 442626 or the Scottish Childcare website has information on all early education and childcare services in the Stirling Council area. More information on playgroups and out of school care....