Admissions

We currently have space for 26 children in each of our sessions. Children can begin with us from the age of 2¹/₂, usually at the start of a term or ½ term. It is preferable if they are toilet trained as we have limited facilities for changing soiled nappies/pull-ups and this takes staff away from their key roles. Please discuss this with us on an individual basis.

Once your application has been received we will add you to our waiting list and contact you in the term before your child's anticipated start with information regarding your child's start date and their initial visits. You will be asked to accompany your child for these sessions as they start to get know the people and routines of Pre-school.

By signing the admissions form you are agreeing to us storing your data on our database for our use in relation to Pre-School.

Although we endeavour to accommodate all children at Pre-school, if we have more applicants than places available, the following criteria will be considered:

• Length of time on the admissions pending list

• Age of child

• Comberbach Primary School criteria for allocation of over-subscribed places

Session days and times

Currently we offer the following sessions at Pre-school:

Your child can attend any combination of the sessions for which they are eligible.

*In the year before your child is due to begin attending primary school they are often known as ‘risings’, which is a reference to the fact that they are coming up to their 5^th birthday; in other words ‘rising 5’. In this year they are able to attend our Thursday afternoon session, which has a more structured nature with more challenging activities aimed at preparing the children for the transition to school in the following year. They will take part in a PE session on this afternoon, for which we ask you to provide a pair of pumps for your child to change into. Children will also bring home a reading book to share with you after these sessions.

Lunch

Any child attending the lunch session should bring their own packed lunch in a clearly named lunch box/bag. To
comply with current regulations, an ice pack must be placed in the bag to keep the food cool and fresh.

Fees and Funding

The current fees are £3.45 an hour which equates to £10.35 for the morning sessions, £3.45 for lunch and £6.90 for afternoon sessions.

Fees are charged and payable per half term. You will receive an invoice early in the half term. Payment is expected within two weeks – if you have any difficulties speak to the supervisor. Notice of changes to the cost of fees will be given in advance.

Free Early Years Education

Since 1^st April 2006 all four year old children and three year olds from the term after their 3^rd birthday are entitled to free early years’ education vouchers, comprising of 15 hours per week for 38 weeks. We welcome the vouchers and you will be asked to complete a declaration form at each term stating how many vouchers you are using at pre-school and elsewhere. This is for local authority purposes, to track voucher use. It is of utmost importance that you notify us of any changes regarding the use of vouchers as you may be charged for sessions at the current rate.

A minimum of 2.5hrs and maximum of 10hrs per day can be claimed. A maximum of 12.5hrs can be claimed over 2 days and a total maximum of 15hrs can be claimed (over at least 3 days). Once you have claimed 2.5hrs in one day, further time can be claimed in multiples of 0.5hrs. If you need to, you can claim your total 15hrs from 2 different settings (e.g. 10hrs from Comberbach Pre-school and 5hrs from another nursery or pre-school).

Eligibility dates for early years vouchers:

Children born between 1^st April – 31^st August will be eligible from 1^st Sept after their 3^rd birthday.
Children born between 1^st Sept – 31^st Dec will be eligible from 1^st Jan following their 3^rd birthday.
Children born between 1^st Jan – 31^st March will be eligible from 1^st Apr following their 3^rd birthday.

How to apply

If you would like your child to come to Comberbach Pre-School, please complete and return an application form to us as soon as you can.

You can download the admissions form by clicking on this link and either email it back to us at comberbachpreschool@live.co.uk or post it to the Memorial Hall - address at the bottom of this page.  Alternatively, drop in to see us and collect a copy of the form.