What is a nursery class or school?

What is a nursery class or school?
Staffing and class sizes
Regulations and inspections
How often do children attend?
At what age can children attend?
Admissions
Cost
How do you find a nursery class or school?
How do you apply for a place?
Continuity
What if you are not happy about things in the nursery class or school?
Other leaflets in the series

What is a Nursery Class or School?

A Nursery Class is part of a Primary School or Early Years Centre.
A Nursery School is a separate establishment that is only used by children under five years old.
They both come under the Local Education Authority.
They provide a range of structured educational experiences based on learning through play, which has been developed for pre-school facilities.

Staffing and class sizes.

Nursery classes and schools are staffed by qualified teachers and qualified assistants / nursery nurses. The staffing ratio is 1 adult to 13 children, with classes having up to 26 children.

Regulations and Inspections

Nursery classes and schools must meet the requirements of the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1996, the buildings being designed to be used as schools.

Nursery classes and schools will be inspected as part of the regular inspections carried out by OFSTED - inspection reports can be read by going to the appropriate school.

How often do children attend?

In most nursery classes and schools children attend five half-days each week during school term. Times are approximately 9.00 to 11.30am and 12.45 to 3.15pm each day.

At what age can children attend?

Nursery provision is intended for pre-school children of 3 and 4 years old, with 4 year olds given priority.

Admissions

Each nursery class or school will have a policy for admitting children to their nursery which should comply with the LEA's suggested Nursery Policy. You can ask to see a copy at the school or from the Admission Section. This will tell you the arrangements for giving places to children in the nursery class or school.
Church schools have their own criteria for admissions; the school will be able to give you details.
You do not have a legal right to appeal if your child is refused a nursery place.

Cost

State schools cannot charge for Education, there may however, be a small charge for snacks.

How do you find a nursery class or school?

All primary schools in Stockton Borough Council have nurseries attached. Click here for the full list of local Primary Schools. Ask friends and neighbours about local provision. Contact Stockton Families Information Service for information on private providers and childcare information on Tel. 527225

How do you apply for a place?

Contact the Headteacher of the school whose nursery class you would like your child to attend, who will then inform you by letter if a place is available for your child.
If the school is unable to offer your child a place, you may wish to consider another school and contact them directly. If there are no places available in a nearby school, contact the Childcare Information Service on 391329 for assisted places in approved private providers.

Continuity

Children may not automatically transfer to a place in the same primary school, even if they have a place in the nursery class.
Parents must still apply for a place for their child in the primary school, as would parents of children who had not been able to attend the nursery class.

What if you are not happy about things in the nursery class or school?

Discuss any difficulties with the Nursery teacher. If you are still unable to resolve your difficulties follow the school's Complaints Procedure.