Pre-school Admission (2 year olds)
Our school admission for 2 years olds is administered by Eccleston Mere Primary School. Parents should contact our school office on 01744 734 829 for further information about arrangements for 2 year old admissions and admission appeals.
When determining admissions, we consider staff: child ratios and the facilities available at our preschool. Presently, we have the capacity to admit a maximum of 15 children per session. If we are unable to provide a place for your child, they can be added to our waiting list.
Our 2-year-old Preschool has three admission intakes each year, at the start of each term - one in September, January and April. Children are eligible to start in our Nursery in the term following their 2nd birthday. For example;
Child's age | Admission date |
Turns 2 on, or before, 31st August | September |
Turns 2 on, or before, 31st December | January |
Turns 2 on, or before, 31st March | April |
In some circumstances, such as where the child narrowly misses an admission date (and where parents are looking to pay for hours, prior to funding), we may admit children within the term.
How to Apply
Contact our school office on 01744 734 829 or email us at ecclestonmere@sthelens.org.uk to apply for a place at our 2 year old nursery. Prior to a child attending our preschool, parents must complete and sign a contract and registration form. These forms provide the preschool with personal details relating to your child. Allocated places will always be confirmed by the office manager via telephone.
Allocation of places / over-subscription / Appeals
Where services are over-subscribed, the following priority for admissions has been agreed (as required):
1. Children in care.
2. Pupil has a sibling at Eccleston Mere Primary School / Nursery.
3. Term of birth, accepting oldest pupils first.
4. Length of time on waiting list (longest, first).
If your child is not offered a place within our nursery and you wish to appeal, please email your reasons for appeal to the Chair of Governors via the school office within 20 school days from the date you were informed that your application was unsuccesful. The governing body will endeavour to hear your appeal within 20 school days. You will be notified of your appeal hearing at least 10 school days before the hearing takes place. A decision letter will be sent within 5 school days of the hearing, where possible.
Pre-school days / Hours of opening
Our pre-school operates in term-time only (38 weeks of the school year).This means that any funded hours are not ‘stretched’ – we can therefore offer 15 funded hours per week (where criteria is met).
Our core morning session times are 9:00 - 12:00pm.
Our core afternoon session times are 12:30pm - 3:30pm.
Our 30 hour session times are 9.00am - 3.30pm.
Our wraparound offer is from 8:00am - 4:30pm.
Government funding / Paid sessions
There are free government funded places in Nursery for 2-year-old children, for 15 hours per week (across 38 weeks of the year). Details of eligibility can be found at https://www.gov.uk/find-free-early-education.
Breakfast Club | AM Session | Lunch Wraparound | PM Session | After-School Club |
8:00-9:00am | 9:00am-12:00pm | 12pm-12:30pm | 12:30-3:30pm | 3:30pm-4:30pm |
£5 | £18 (unless funded) | £3 (if packed lunch) £5.95 (if lunch is required) | £18 (unless funded) | £5 (until 4:30pm) |
All session charges can be paid for on the SchoolComms app. We also ask for a contribution of £3 per week (15 hours) or £6 per week (30hours) for our pre-school ‘snack fund’.
Additional, paid sessions are booked at the start of the year and can only be adjusted on a termly basis (except in exceptional circumstances). This is to ensure that staffing is correct.
Non-payment of Fees
Where pre-school fees are not paid in a timely manner, or where a high balance is accruing, the office will notify parents. Should this not be rectified within an agreed time period, the offer of paid sessions / wraparound will be withdrawn.
