Slough Borough Council

Applying to Pre-School

In Slough, early years education is available for children who have not yet started school. By law, children must attend school from the term after their fifth birthday. Many schools in Slough admit children earlier.

Slough Borough Council is committed to providing good early years services for children and part-time places are available for all children the term after their third birthday.

Where are pre-school places available?

Parents can choose from providers who are part of the Slough Early Years Development and Childcare Plan. These include:

• Nursery classes in local authority schools
• Local authority nursery schools
• Private nursery schools
• Pre-schools, formerly known as playgroups
• Independent schools
• Day nurseries

View a Full List of Early Education Providers in Slough [ PDF ]

What is my child entitled to?

From the beginning of the term after your child’s third birthday your child is entitled to five sessions a week, each session lasting 2.5 hours per day. The sessions will run for at least 11 weeks a term and for 33 weeks each year. Providers will be inspected by OFSTED, the national inspection agency. If you want extra sessions with a private or day care provider you will have to pay for the extra sessions.

Who will pay for my child’s place?

Parents of 3 year olds attending for 5 sessions a week do not have to pay for education at one of the providers listed above. If your child attends one of the private providers and is either under 3 or attends for more than 5 sessions a week then you will have to pay.

How do I choose a place for my child?

You do not have to send your child to school until they reach compulsory school age. If you want your child to attend a nursery you should carefully consider what type of provision would best suit your child.

After considering this, you should contact the school or nursery directly for more information on how you apply for a place.

How do I apply for a nursery place in a community or voluntary controlled school?

You should contact the school for an application form. If these nursery schools or classes receive more applications than there are places available, places will be offered using the criteria below and priority will be given to children who will be 4 at the time of admission. Priority will then be given using the criteria below to 3 year olds according to the term of their birthday.

• Children with educational, medical or social needs (applications on these grounds will have to be supported in writing by the relevant professional involved, such as a social worker or GP etc)
• Children with a brother or sister at the same school when the child is due to be admitted
• Children whose parents choose the school on denominational grounds. Applicants are required to provide a supporting letter from their vicar with the application. (Voluntary controlled schools only)
• Children who live closest to the school (a straight line on a map from the parental home to the school is used to calculate the distance)

If places cannot be offered to all the applicants in one of the categories above then places will be offered to the applicants in that category who are closest to the school. Please note the following:

• Places can only be offered to children resident in other LEAs once children resident in Slough have been offered a place and the LEA have approved the application
• Full-time places are only available at some nursery schools, and only if a relevant professional such as a GP or Social Worker states in writing why a full-time place is necessary. There are a limited number of full-time places that can be offered and each case will be considered on its merits by the school and the LEA
• Applications can be made after the child’s second birthday for possible admission the term following the child’s third birthday
• Most nursery schools and classes admit children each term
• Parents may be asked for proof of address
• Unsuccessful applicants will be considered with the next batch of applicants

How do I apply for a nursery place in a voluntary-aided school, foundation school or a private provider?

These schools are responsible for their own admissions policy and organising their own admissions. Please contact the school for details.

Will my child automatically transfer to the main school?

No. If your child has a place in a nursery school or class they do not automatically transfer to the main school. You will need to apply for a place at the main school along with other parents who want their child to attend the school.

 

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