Admissions Policy & Procedure

Intent.
It is our intention to make our Little Munchkins Sites accessible to children and families from all sections of the local community.

Aim
Little Munchkins aims to ensure that all sections of our community have access to the pre-school and Nurseries through open, fair and clearly communicated procedures.

Methods
In order to achieve this aim, we operate the following admissions policy.

We ensure that the existence of the pre-school and Nurseries is widely advertised in places accessible to all sections of the community.

We ensure that information about our pre-school and Nurseries is accessible – in written and spoken form – and, where appropriate, in different languages. Where necessary, we will try to provide information in Braille, or through signing or an interpreter.

We arrange our waiting list in birth order. In addition our policy may take into account the following:

- The vicinity of the home to the pre-school; and
- Siblings already attending the pre-school.

We keep a place vacant, if this is financially viable, to accommodate an emergency admission.

We describe our pre-school and its practices in terms which make it clear that it welcomes both, fathers and mothers, other relations and other carers, including childminders.

We describe our pre-school and Nurseries and its practices in terms of how it treats individuals, regardless of their gender, special educational needs, disabilities, background, religion, ethnicity or competence in spoken English.

We describe our pre-school and its practices in terms of how it enables children with disabilities to take part in the life of the pre-school and Nurseries.
We monitor the gender and ethnic background of children joining the group to ensure that no accidental discrimination is taking place.

We make our equal opportunities policy widely known.

We consult with families about the opening times of the pre-school and Nurseriers to avoid excluding anyone.

We are flexible about attendance patterns to accommodate the needs of individual children and families.

Admissions Procedure

The following procedure is adhered to when parent are applying for a child place within one of our Nurseries or Pre-School,

1. On receipt of a phone call inquiring about child’s place, the parent’s details are recorded on the Parent information and waiting list form.
2. If parent/s call into the group they ask to sign the visitor book and show identification, then they are introduce to staff and shown around at this point a welcome letter and application form is given.
3. At the end of each day this information is used to send out a Little Munchkins welcome letter with a copy of an Application form.
4. On receipt of the Application form back from the parent / carers we would check the availability of the requested dates and location. The bottom of the application form is filled in with the available date at the location or alternative location and dates. This is then sent back to the parents with a Registration form and child background form.
5. On the receipt of this form we advise parents that the place has been held for their child, nearer the start date we invite parent/s and child along for visit as per our SETTLING IN POLICY
   

Settling in Policy & Procedure

Intent
We want children to feel safe, stimulated and happy in the Nursery and Pre-School and to feel secure and comfortable with staff. We also want parents to have confidence in both their children’s well being and their role as active partners with the Nursery or Pre-School.

Aim
We aim to make our Nurseries and Pre-School a welcome place where children settle quickly and easily because consideration has been given to the individual needs and circumstances of children and their families.

Methods

• Before a child starts to attend the Nursery or Pre-School, we use a variety of ways to provide his/her parents with information. These include written information (including our prospectus and policies), displays about Nursery or Pre-School activities, information days and evenings and individual meetings with parents.
• During the half term before a child is enrolled, we provide opportunities for the child and his/her parents to visit the Nursery or Pre-School.
• When a child starts to attend, we work with his/her parents to decide on the best way to help the child to settle into Nursery or Pre-School.
• We use pre-start visits and the first session at which a child attends to explain and complete with his/her parents the child’s registration records.
• Within four weeks of your child’s start date your child will be allocated a Keyworker who will record their progress within the nursery or Pre-School.