Admissions

For details regarding our application periods, please refer to the document below titled “Application and Admission Dates.”

Applications may be submitted once the relevant application period opens. Upon receipt of your completed application form, and subject to availability, we will contact you to arrange a visit to our setting.

We understand that families are eager to know about space availability; however, we do not discuss availability until we have received a completed application form and had the opportunity to meet with the family during a tour of our setting.

This approach is important for a few key reasons:

Ensuring the Right Fit

Before offering a place, we want to ensure that our preschool is the right fit for your child and family. The tour allows us to understand your needs, answer your questions in person, and give you a feel for our environment, routines, and values.

Fair and Transparent Admissions Process

Our admissions decisions are based on a range of factors, including age group balance, session availability, and individual needs. We only assess availability accurately once we have all the relevant information from the application form.

Efficient Use of Places

To manage spaces responsibly and avoid holding places unnecessarily, we prioritise families who have formally expressed interest by submitting an application and completing a visit.

Once the registration fee has been paid and a tour has taken place with your child, we will discuss space availability.  Once you have received written confirmation of your space and session, we will contact you towards the end of the term preceding your child's start date to confirm the final arrangements and schedule a home visit.

We accept Local Authority funding for eligible children aged two, three, and four. Children may start with us from the term after they turn 2 and a half. Admissions are offered in September, January, and April. We are also registered to accept up to 30 hours of extended entitlement funding, subject to availability.

Sessions

We understand that starting pre-school is a significant milestone, especially for our youngest children. That is one of the reasons why we offer a gentle introduction for our two year olds with two sessions per week initially, and three sessions per week for our three year olds. This allows children to settle in at their own pace, helping them build confidence and feel secure in their new environment.

At the heart of our approach is the recognition that every child is unique.  Our many years of experience have shown that this flexible, child-centered approach helps children settle more quickly and thrive in their new setting.

By fostering a safe and nurturing environment, we prioritise children’s personal, social, and emotional development, ensuring they feel valued and supported as they begin their early learning journey with us.

Session Times:

• Morning Session: 8:45am – 11:45am

• Lunch Club (from age 3, subject to availabililty): 11:45am – 12:30pm

• Afternoon Session: 12:30pm – 3:30pm

• Full Day (from age three, subject to availability) : 8:45am – 3:30pm

Wraparound Care

We offer wraparound care for children aged three and above, once they have been attending pre-school with us for one term, subject to availability. This extended provision is designed to support working families by offering additional care before and after the core pre-school sessions.

• Breakfast Club: Starts at 7:45am or 8:20am

• After-School Sessions: Available until 4:00pm, 5:00pm, or 6:00pm

For more detailed information about our wraparound provision, fees and activities, please refer to our ‘Nest’ section on the website.

Pre-School Fees

Unfunded Session Rate - £17.13

Lunch club fee - £3.90

Pre-School Consumable Charge

The government funding we receive does not fully cover the cost of delivering high-quality early years education and care for your child. As is the case with many early years settings,  a voluntary consumable charge is applied to each funded session (please refer to our Consumable Fee Policy for full details).

The consumable charge contributes to the provision of a rich and engaging learning experience for your child. It supports the cost of additional items such as snacks, non-food consumables, cooking ingredients, and external activity providers. The charge also enables us to offer a broad range of activities designed to enhance and enrich your child’s early years education.

Our daily consumable fee is £3.30 per funded session, itemised as follows:

• Snack: £0.75

• Non-Food Consumables: £0.25

• Activities and Enrichment: £2.30

We are pleased to welcome a variety of external activity providers who enrich our weekly programme:

• Monday – Spanish classes

• Tuesday – Yoga classes

• Thursday – Super Star Sports classes

In addition, Tiny Tales Dance visits us once a month on Wednesdays, offering a special dance session for the children.

To further enhance our enrichment programme, we also offer regular cooking and baking experiences. These activities help children develop key skills such as following instructions, measuring, and fine motor control, while also fostering creativity, patience, and an early understanding of healthy eating.

We also celebrate cultural events and festivals throughout the year, providing a wide range of themed activities. These experiences broaden children's horizons, promote respect for diversity, and nurture a sense of community and belonging. Through cultural learning, children develop communication skills, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of the world around them — all essential foundations for lifelong learning.

Without the voluntary contribution, we are unable to offer snack, non food-consumables and many of the enriching experiences that support children’s learning and development

Why do settings need to charge a consumable fee?

https://www.eyalliance.org.uk/problem-free-childcare-interactive-explainer-parents-and-carers