ADMISSIONS POLICY
In general terms, the area served by St. Francis Pre-School Playgroup is that of the parishes of Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo.
It is our intention to make our pre-school genuinely accessible to children and families from all sections of the local community. In order to accomplish this, we will:
Ensure that the existence of the pre-school is widely known in all local communities. We will place notices advertising the group in places where all sections of the community can see them, in more than one language if appropriate. We will arrange for this to be in Braille if necessary.
Keep a place vacant in order to accommodate emergency admissions, if this is financially viable.
Describe the pre-school and its practices in terms which make clear that it welcomes both fathers and mothers, other relations and other carers, including childminders, and people from all cultures, ethnic, religious and social groups, with and without disabilities.
We encourage all children and adults with disabilities to take part in the life of the setting.
Monitor the gender and ethnic background of children joining the group to ensure that no accidental discrimination is taking place.
Make our equal opportunities policy widely known.
Consult with families about the opening times of the pre-school to avoid excluding anyone.
We are flexible about attendance patterns to accommodate the needs of individual children and families, providing these do not disrupt the pattern of continuity in the setting.
Priority will be determined according to the following criteria:
Date of birth (i.e. the earliest date, the higher the priority).
Children living in the pre-school’s designated area with a sibling who will be attending the pre-school at the time of admission.
Other children living in the pre-school’s designated area.
Children living outside the pre-school’s designated area, but with a sibling who will be attending the pre-school at the time of admission.
Other children living outside the pre-school’s designated area
N.B. (i) If it is necessary to distinguish between children in categories 3 and 4 priority will be determined on the basis of distance between home and pre-school along the shortest walking route (i.e. the shorter the distance, the higher the priority).
(ii) Children may attend pre-school during the term prior to their third birthday, if a place is available. Where space permits, younger children will be admitted if accompanied by their parent/carer.
(iii) It is generally recommended that children begin by attending pre-school for one or two sessions a week, depending upon availability of sessions.
(iv) Priority may be given to the admission of a child whom a particular medical or social justification is demonstrated.
Waiting List
Parents can put their child’s name on the waiting list when their child is two.
In the term before a child is due to start pre-school, the Supervisor will offer the child a place and start date.
When a child starts
When a child starts at pre-school we encourage the parents to stay. An adult must accompany all children until they are two and a half. All parents must read and agree to adhere to the pre-school’s policies when their child starts. Parents are asked to complete the admission form and permission slips.
A member of staff will welcome and help settle the child in to pre-school. Through discussion with the parent and the staff it will be decided when it is best for a child to be left on their own.
