Early Years Admission Procedure and Induction Policy

Background Information

The Early Years unit comprises:

Nursery accommodating 3-4 year olds;

Reception for children aged 4-5

There are 5-6 children in a group (in both Nursery and Reception years) organised by a fully qualified key worker. A fully qualified teacher is in overall charge in Nursery and Head of Infants is in charge of Reception groups.

Intake takes place in the term following the child’s third birthday - in September for those who are three during the summer or earlier, January for those whose birthday falls September – December and April for the remainder.

An induction pack is provided for all parents, containing relevant joining information.

Please click these links to view our admissions policies
Admissions and Induction -  Early Years Foundation Stage      Junior School Admissions Policy

Admissions Procedure

Parents are requested to fill in a Registration Form and pay a Registration Fee of £50. Once this is done, their names are placed on a waiting List. Completion of the Registration Form does not constitute the offer of a place.

Parents will then receive an invitation to bring their child for an informal session with the Head Of Nursery (supported by the Deputy Head and/or the Head of Infants as appropriate) to take place in January or February. They will also be sent a booklet to be completed at home prior to the introduction session. Information within the booklet will be shared during the session.

Reception Places

Children who have registered for Reception places will be observed by the Head of Nursery (supported by the Deputy Head and/or the Head of Infants as appropriate). They will be invited to spend time in a Nursery class during the Summer term so that they can be observed within their peer group.

Classes

When children are placed in groups, the following points will be taken into account as far as possible:

• age of each child to ensure a balance of autumn/summer birthdays
• gender
• existing family relationship with a teacher from a sibling (particularly Nursery and as far as possible in Reception)
• existing friendships of the children pre-Nursery/School
• twins: each case will be looked at individually and parents advised by Head of Nursery (with support from Deputy Head/Head of Infants as appropriate)

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Induction Policy Aims

• To make the child’s transition to school as easy and pleasant as possible
• To show parents and carers that they are welcome in the school and to emphasise the benefits of a strong home/school partnership.
• To explain our Mission, Aims, Values and Practice to parents
• To provide staff with the chance to learn from parents about their children (‘All About Me’ booklet)
• To ensure a positive experience for all children.

Induction Procedure

Offers of places will be made in writing when all observation sessions have been carried out before the end of the Spring Term.

In May/early June, all parents who have accepted places will be invited to attend a New Parents’ Meeting where they will be able to meet the Headteacher and Deputy, their child’s class teacher and classroom assistant. The evening aims to be informal, enabling parents to meet key members of staff and gain information to ease the settling in process.

The focus of the evening will be a presentation by the Head of Nursery, giving an overview of life in Nursery/Reception and of the Foundation Stage Curriculum.

At this meeting, invitations will be issued for ‘Pop in and Play’ sessions to take place at the end of the Summer Term.

Staggered Intake Programme

The September intake will be staggered in groups of 4 to 6 and a start date and time will be notified in May/early June. Parents are asked not to change this unless absolutely necessary as, whilst we recognise different needs, this should be balanced with an effective transition from home to Nursery/School.

Children will be able to settle in together in small groups in each room, enabling staff to get to know children well and ease any separation issues. Settling in arrangements are very flexible and tailored to the individual needs of each child. Staff will keep parents/carers fully informed by sharing information when appropriate.

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Admissions

1. Parents may apply to register a child for entry at any time before the usual entry point of either 3+ (Nursery) or 4+ (Reception classes).

2. If places are available pupils may enter at other ages and at other times during the academic year.

3. On completion of an application form and payment of a registration fee, pupils will be registered for entry at a particular date:

   1. Into Nursery in the term following their 3rd birthday

   2. Into Reception in September if their 4th birthday falls on or before 31st August

      Although it is school policy to place children in their peer group, some flexibility may be offered in special circumstances to those children very young (August birthdays) or old (September birthdays) concerning which year group is appropriate to their needs and abilities. Should a child be placed ‘out of year’ group their progress, both social and academic, will be closely monitored and the school reserves the right to make adjustments to their year group if this is felt necessary.

   3. Available places are offered to pupils, irrespective of class, race, ethnic group, disability and religion, although parents are advised to visit the school to satisfy themselves that the school is reasonably equipped to meet the needs of the child.

      Parents must also note that Wellington Junior School is a Christian based school and this is reflected in its ethos.

   4. Due to the family atmosphere of the school, the school tries to provide places for siblings, wherever possible. Although a ‘family friendly’ policy exists, early registration of siblings is strongly recommended, as places cannot be guaranteed without registration.

   5. The school is academically selective and it reserves the right to refuse entry to those children not reaching the required standard.

      1. Places in Year 3 upwards are subject to formal assessment.

      2. Places in Year 1 and 2 are subject to an informal assessment. Children are usually invited to join a group, corresponding in age, during which time these assessments are carried out. Offers will be made subject to these.

      3. Children wishing to join Reception are invited to spend a little time in school where they will be informally assessed. Places will be offered subject to this assessment.

      4. In Nursery, parents may select the number of sessions they wish their child to attend. Places are subject to availability.

      5. If it is felt despite the reasonable adjustments the school is able to make to ensure equal access to all children, an individual child may be better served elsewhere, then the school will endeavour to offer appropriate guidance to the prospective parents. In this case the child will not be offered a place.

      6. Should a child experience severe difficulties at any time during their education at Wellington Junior School and despite the best efforts of the teachers and Learning Support Teachers and any reasonable adjustments that have been made, it is felt that the school is unable to provide the level of support necessary for that child then this will be fully discussed over a period of time with the parents and, in some cases, it may be appropriate to find another school more able to respond the needs of that child.

   6. Parents who have been offered a place are asked to read the Terms and Conditions and confirm their acceptance by returning their signed Acceptance Form within two weeks of the offer date.

   7. Confirmation of a place must be accompanied by a non-refundable deposit which is then held for adjustment against the final term’s fees or transfer to the Senior School.

   8. If the school, for any reason, should be unable to finally accept the child then the deposit will be returned in full.