Eastchurch CEP Pre-School

Sessions on Offer

To meet the needs of our families we have a range of options available. For children who are aged 3&4, the term after their 3rd  birthday they are entitled to 15 hours universal Free Early Education, the main options are as follows:

• 5 morning sessions from Monday to Friday (8.30am to 11.30am)
• 5 afternoon sessions from Monday to Friday (12.30pm to 3.30pm)

For children aged 3&4 we also offer the extended entitlement which is an additional 15hours of Free Early Education per week for 38 weeks per year.  Parents must meet the set criteria to be eligible, please go to www.childcarechoices.gov.uk for more information.  If eligible your child will be able to access the following:

• 30 hour sessions from Monday to Friday (8.30am to 3.30pm)

However, we are able to offer a "pick and mix" option that suits your needs. Just give us a call on 01795 880278 or you can put your preferences on the application form.

Any request for changes to your child’s hours needs to be put into writing. Where possible we request a two weeks’ notice.

We also require you to give 2 weeks notice and to be put it into writing when changing/leaving the nursery. 

For those not eligible for 30 hours there is the option to purchase  additional sessions, which are above and beyond the Universal 15 hours and you would be charged for these. 

Fees will be invoiced and must be paid a term in advance. Invoices are emailed to the Bill Payer and should be paid by direct bank transfer.

Fees are payable for all booked sessions regardless of absence due to sickness, holidays etc.

Failure to pay fees promptly may result in the nursery cancelling your child’s  chargeable place.

There are no addition charges for fruit and milk. However, there may be charges for school trips.

We don't require you to pay any deposits or administration fees. 

3 & 4-Year-Old Places

Children aged 3 and 4 years old are entitled to receive up to 15 hours Free Early Education  per week, term time only (from the term after they turn 3)

For some working families this is doubled to 30 hours FREE funding per week, term time only. To find out if you are eligible please go to www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

As a parent you will have to fill in the parental declaration form 3 times a year prior to headcount to enable yours child to access the nursery. 

Reconfirming your eligibility for 30 hours free childcare

If you have applied and/or claimed up to 30 hours free childcare, you must reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months. 

Click here for more information

Admissions Criteria

If Little Owls Nursery is over-subscribed, applications for entry will be ranked according to the following criteria:

1. a) Looked after and previously looked after children
2. b) A child with an Educational Health Care Plan
3. c) Children who have siblings attending the main School/Nursery when they join
4. d) Nearness of children’s homes/ease of access to the School (‘as the crow flies’)

Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)

Identifying eligible children

Parent and carers will need to complete the relevant section of the parental declaration giving providers permission to apply for EYPP. The parent needs to be claiming one of the benefits or credits listed below to enable Management Information to check for eligibility. Children may be eligible for EYPP if they meet the “Other Criteria” shown below.

EYPP Economic Criteria

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided they are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit Run-on (this is paid for 4 weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
• Universal Credit if a parent is entitled to Universal Credit they must have an annual net earned income equivalent to and not exceeding £7,400, assessed on up to three of the parent’s most recent Universal Credit assessment periods.

Disability Access Fund (DAF)

Three and four-year old children may be eligible for the DAF if they meet the following criteria:

• The child is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA); and
• The child receives universal or extended free early education and childcare entitlement.

Please speak to the school office if you feel your child is eligible.

Procedure for Admission

We will attempt to inform applicants of the outcome of their application by letter, at least a term before admission. We will only allocate Nursery sessions once it has been determined that a place can be offered in accordance with the admission criteria. If an applicant is offered a place they must confirm acceptance directly with the school by the date stipulated in their offer letter.

Please note, admission to does not guarantee admission to the Reception class. Applications for Reception must be made on a separate application and submitted to Kent County Council by the statutory deadline in order to be considered.

Right to Withdraw a Place

After a place has been offered the Nursery reserves the right to withdraw the place in the following circumstances:

• When a parent has failed to respond to an offer within a reasonable time

• When a parent has failed to notify the school of important changes to the application information

• The admission authority offered the place on the basis of a fraudulent or intentionally misleading application from a parent

• When a parent fails to provide their child’s birth certificate/passport

• If a child does not attend their allocated Nursery session for 2 consecutive weeks (10 school days), unless previously agreed with the Nursery.