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Applying For A Place
Choosing a pre-school for your child is an important decision and one that should be carefully considered.
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Choosing a pre-school for your child is an important decision and one that should be carefully considered. We understand that finding the right pre-school can be a complex and stressful process, which is why Little Willows work to give you all the information you need upfront. We welcome parents to come and visit us and see what a normal day at Little Willows looks like. We would strongly advise that you visit the pre-school and be prepared with questions to ask to help you reach your decision.
If you have decided that you wish your child to start at Little Willows, please contact us
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Deposit
If your child’s place will be fee paying, then a deposit is required to secure your child’s place. This deposit will be returned to you at the end of your child’s final term, subject to there being no outstanding amounts due to the pre-school. The deposit will also be returned should you wish to withdraw your child before this time and the correct notice of withdrawal has been provided.
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Withdrawal
Four weeks’ notice is required to withdraw your child from the pre-school.
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Further Information
Further information regarding how to prepare your child for starting pre-school, including uniform requirements and more, can be found in the Handbook or the Parent Information Zone.
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Register your child today
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Funding And Fees
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Early Education Funding For 3 & 4 Year Olds
In Warwickshire, children become eligible for Early Education funding for up to 2 years from the beginning of the term following the child’s 3rd birthday. The free entitlement is for 15 hours a week and is provided for a minimum of 38 weeks per year. The following table shows when a child is eligible to receive funding (all dates are inclusive):
A child born between: Will be eligible for a free place from:
1st January – 31st March The start of the summer term following 3rd birthday until statutory school age
1st April – 31st August The start of the autumn term following their 3rd birthday until statutory school age
1st September – 31st December The start of the spring term following their 3rd birthday until statutory school age
30 Hours:
The Pre-School offers some 30 hour places, subject to parents meeting certain conditions. For further information and to apply, parents and carers need to go to www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.You will need to apply the term before you want the place to start.
Children must remain in the setting until the ‘headcount day’ in order to be eligible for the funding. Parents will be liable for all the costs incurred should a child be removed before this qualifying period. Parents are asked to complete and sign a Flexible Free Entitlement Declaration Form that establishes a written agreement between the pre-school and the parents setting out the agreed hours of attendance and the free entitlement claimed.
Funding may be shared between two providers which will be on a pro-rate basis according to the amount of free provision taken at each provider. Where a child attends two providers and received in total more than the maximum free entitlement, the Local Authority will apportion the amount of funding payable in respect of that child, based on the number of free hours accessed at each setting.
Fees for Under 3 Year Olds
Fees are payable for children who are not eligible for the Nursery Education Grant.
Fees may be paid weekly, monthly or half-termly and are payable on the first day of attendance for that period. Please note that fees are due for all periods of absence during the term. In cases of prolonged absence, parents should consult the Manager about fee payment. Each child’s attendance at the pre-school is conditional upon continued payment of the required fees.
Parents of two year olds who are in receipt of certain benefits or credits may be eligible for free childcare – two year funding. Further information about the eligibility criteria and how to apply are available at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/childcarecosts. If you meet the eligibility criteria, your child will be entitled to a place from the start of the term following their second birthday, beginning on or following the dates set out below:
Children born in the period 1st January to 31st March: Summer Term
Children born in the period 1st April to 31st August: Autumn Term
Children born in the period 1st September to 31st December: Spring TermDeposit
If your child’s place will be fee paying, then a deposit is required to secure your child’s place.
