Nursery admissions  

If you would like your child to be part of our Early Years family and start in Little Dormouse nursery, applications for this are done directly to school/ nursery. Please call 01782 372543 or email apeel@barlaston.staffs.sch.uk 

Children can start with funding the term after their 3rd birthday (non-funded places are available too).  Please see below the table for when your child can start at our nursery with a funded place.  

Children born between 

Funded place starts from 

1st January – 31st March  

Summer Term (from 1st April) 

1st April – 31st August 

Autumn term (from 1st September) 

1st September – 31st December 

Spring term ( from 1st January) 

   

With this in mind, we have three formal intakes per year for our nursery class: 

  • September intake (Autumn term) 

  • January intake (Spring term) 

  • April intake (Summer term) 

If you wish for your child to start at a time different to these intakes, please call the school or email address on the details above and we would be happy to arrange this for you.  

Below are the options available to parents regarding hours, regardless of the option you choose all children when starting in our nursery, 15 or 30 hours funded or not funded receive access to a place covering 30 hours, this is in case you wish for your child to stay additional afternoons, as some events last the full day, for example trips, enrichment days etc. 

Universal and extended funding hours are claimed between 9:00-3:00 Monday – Friday. As this is when specialist early years staff will work with your child. However, wrap-around and holiday care is available. 

 

15 hours funding 

Every child aged 3-4 has access to 15 hours universal funding. In little Dormouse Nursery these hours are allocated Monday – Friday 9:00am-12:00am.  

Parents/carers have the option for your child to stay for up to 5 additional afternoons. However, this will need to be paid for privately.  

 

30 hours funding  

If you receive 30 hours* (15 universal hours+ 15 extended hours) these hours are allocated Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm. 

*Parents are encouraged to regularly check their entitlement as this may change throughout the year. 

Please apply for your 30 hrs funding in a timely manner. Your funding needs to run from BEFORE the 1st September for Autumn Term starts, BEFORE 1st January for Spring Term starts, and BEFORE 1st April for Summer Term starts. Unless the funding spans that date, you will not receive funding until the following term.

 

Non funded hours 

Both the options above are available for parents who wish for their child to start the term of their 3rd birthday.  

However, this would have to be paid for privately until funding can be accessed.   

Private hours charges are as follows: 

  • 9:00-12:00 £15 

  • 9:00-12:45 £18

  • 9:00-3:00 £36

  • 9:00-3:30 £38

 

Snack/lunch 

Whichever option you choose when starting in our nursery, the following costs for snack/ lunch apply.  

Snack

Morning snack is half a slice of toast, and is paid for via the eduspot app.

Afternoon snacks are included, these include toast, fruit, and milk. You will not need to send your child in with a snack. 

Lunch

A hot lunch is available every day for your child, this is provided on site by Dolce. Lunches are to be pre ordered via the school grid app. this includes vegetarian and vegan choices, salad, and a pudding.

Children are also able to bring in their own packed lunch from home should you wish.  

 

Drinks 

Children have a drink with every snack and meal, this is out of a cup so that staff can monitor how much children are drinking. Children can have a cup of water at any point throughout the day.  

 

Toilet training 

We appreciate that all children who join our Early Years family are at different stages of toilet training. Unfortunately, we do not have nappy changing facilities on site. So to ensure your child gets the best support and has the most positive start to their school journey, please speak to a member of staff about how we can best support you and your child with this process. 

To see our intimate care policy and all other policies please click here.

 

Payments 

When your child starts nursery you will receive a login to the eduspot app. From here all payments will be added and from here be able to book your child into wrap-around care. 

You can use your tax free childcare account or childcare vouchers to pay for nursery fess and wrap-around care. 

 

Reception admissions 

Reception class places need to be applied for through the gov.uk website. Please click on the link below for more information. You will need to apply for a reception class place even if your child attends our nursery. 

More information will be sent out to parents when applications can be made.