We are delighted that you are considering enrolling your child in our Nursery class at Kents Hill School!

Please click here - Nursery Prospectus - for more information.

We take children from the term after their 2nd birthday. We do not take children any younger than this. Currently all 3 and 4 year-olds are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare each week, known as Universal Entitlement. In September 2017, the Government introduced an additional 15 hours childcare (Extended Entitlement)  for those families that are eligible (please see criteria below). This is known as the 30 hours Childcare Scheme.

The 30 hour childcare scheme aims to help families with 3 and/or 4 year olds to start back into work or to extend their working pattern. These changes extend the current 15 hours to 30 hours per week in total for those eligible working families. These changes are being introduced as part of the Childcare Act 2016.

To check your entitlement for your 2 year old, please follow this link - https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-2-year-olds-claim-benefits

Parents need to check how many hours they are entitled to via an online Eligibility Checker at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk. If eligible for 30 hours, an 11-digit code will be generated and should be given to the school, for confirmation with Milton Keynes Council. We cannot offer a place until we have received and checked this code. You do not need to apply for the 15 hours free childcare as this is a Universal Entitlement.

Our Nursery places are made up of children who are:

  • 3 years old and joining us at the start of the term after their third birthday. Please see our Term Dates page to see when this will be for your child.
  • entitled to the Universal Entitlement 15 hours of free childcare and therefore can attend from 8.50am-11.50am, Monday to Friday
  • entitled to 30 hours of free childcare (Extended Entitlement) and therefore can attend from 8.50am-3pm, Monday to Friday

What is our Nursery offer?

All children joining our Nursery are entitled to the Universal Entitlement 15 hours of free childcare. For funding and staff ratio purposes, the 15 hours must fall into the pattern of attendance for your child from 8.50am-11.50am, Monday to Friday, term time only. 

What if I need my child to stay all day but I am not entitled to the Extended Entitlement of 30 hours funding?

If you require more hours than those you are entitled to, you can purchase additional sessions of wraparound care. If you require care from 11.50 - 3pm, these sessions are £18 (£6 per hour) and are booked via School Gateway. The app is available to download on Play Store for Android devices or App Store for Apple devices. For any children staying with us all day, your child may bring a packed lunch or meals can be ordered via School Grid at a cost of £1.95 (this cost is subject to rises out of our control but will be communicated) or free if your child is eligible for Pupil Premium funding (PPFSM). Please check here to see if your child is eligible https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/sims

Please note: Extra sessions are offered on the basis that children will attend 5 days a week.

What about before and after-school care for children in Nursery?

As we are a school Nursery, we do not offer care 52 weeks per year, therefore you will need to make provision for your child with another provider during the school holidays/Public Holiday closures/INSET days.

If you need care before and after school on any day of school term, please see our Wraparound Care page under the 'Parents' drop-down menu above and by selecting 'Wraparound Care'.

How do I apply for a place in Nursery for my child?

If you would like to apply for a Nursery place then a registration pack is available from the school office. Parents should complete all forms fully and return them along with your child's birth certificate for us to have sight of and copy. We cannot offer a place without this as identity checks must be carried out. In your pack, you will also have handy information about the Nursery class, uniform, Cool Milk scheme, School Gateway and Wraparound Care.

When is the deadline for applications for September 2024 entry?

For admission to Nursery in September 2024, the following dates apply:

Friday 31st May 2024                     Deadline for applications

By Friday 28th June 2024            Correspondence sent to parents/carers, advising if a place can be offered.

 

What if a place cannot be offered?

If a place cannot be offered, details will be kept on a waiting list. In the event of any spaces being available before the end of the Autumn and Spring terms, consideration will be given to the admission of children who have become 3 years of age prior to the beginning of their admission term. The criteria below will again apply, priority being given to the oldest children.

For funding reasons, places are offered on the basis that children will attend 5 days a week. We cannot offer places on any other basis.