Admissions Policy

Admissions Policy

At Pitter Patter Play Ltd we care for up to 30 children between the ages of 2-11 years.

This is through full daycare activities and extends to 5-11 year olds during after school and holiday clubs

The above is in accordance with the legal space requirements per child from the National Minimum Standards and is subject to approval from Care Inspectorate Wales.  We adhere to a strict ratio of 1:4 adults to children aged under 3.  For 3 years plus this is 1:8

Applications for spaces

• Initial enquiries can be made informally via phone or email enquiry, and we request that all prospective parents come to visit us before proceeding further with an application.
• Following a visit we then record the required sessions on our booking system and that the registration process is completed through the Famly app
• These forms within the app provide the nursery with personal details relating to the child. For example, name, date of birth, address, emergency contact details, parental responsibilities, dietary requirements, collection arrangements, fees and sessions, contact details for parents, doctor’s contact details, health visitor contact details, allergies, parental consent and vaccinations etc
• This information is held in accordance with GDPR by our App Provider; Famly.
• It is necessary to hold some details manually in the nursery (emergency contacts). Any onsite information is also held in accordance with GDPR and we are registered with the ICO.

Fees

• Our fees are payable 1 month in advance. We reserve the right to refuse entry if fees are not up to date.
• Funded hours must be agreed and nominated by the Friday or the week prior to the space being required.
• Where funded hours (childcare offer/flying start) are used it is the responsibility of the parents/carers to ensure that they keep their information up to date with the relevant parties
• We reserve the right to request payment where funding is not approved.

Our allocation of available spaces will account for

• our commitment to provide 8 Flying Start spaces as per our agreement with Newport City Council
• our availability in the relevant age ratio grouping

We take the following matters into account when prioritising and deciding on admissions where a child can be offered a place in the nursery:

• A child currently attending nursery wanting to increase their sessions will be given priority over children on our waiting list
• Availability of places, taking into account the staff: child ratios, the age of the child and any registration requirements
• Children who have siblings who are already with us
• When the application is received (extra weight is given to those who have been on the waiting list the longest)
• The nursery’s ability to provide the facilities necessary for the welfare of the child, including appropriate staffing arrangements
• Any extenuating circumstances affecting the child’s welfare or the welfare of his/her family.

The nursery manager or someone designated by the nursery manager will check the list at regular intervals to check that parents who have expressed an interest in a place still require that place.

We operate an inclusion and equality policy and ensure that all children have access to nursery places and services irrespective of their gender, race, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation of parents.

Childcare Offer for Wales

This scheme is open to the families of eligible 3 and 4 year olds and starts in the term following the child’s 3^rd birthday.

Childcare Offer for Wales | Help With Childcare Costs Wales | GOV.WALES

As a year round (rather than term time setting) those meeting the criteria are eligible for a maximum of 20 hours a week during the 39 term time weeks and 30 hours a week over 9 of the 13 school holiday weeks.

Flying Start

Flying Start spaces are by referral and you will be made aware by your Health Visitor or other professional on your eligibility.

Flying Start is a Welsh Government programme available in certain areas to support families with children aged 0-4 years.

It promotes language, cognitive, social and emotional skills, physical development and the early identification of high needs through the delivery of health support, parenting groups, early language support and free part-time childcare.

In April 2022 the Welsh Government announced a phased plan to expand early years provision to all two-year-olds in Wales. The first phase of this programme began in September 2022 and phase 2 will take place from April 2023.

Families who live in the newly eligible areas will be contacted directly.

To see if your address is included, please email flying.start@newport.gov.uk with your name, address and postcode along with a brief description of your enquiry.

Flying Start is made up of 5 x 2.5 hour sessions a week during the school term (39 weeks) plus 3 additional weeks (1 week at easter and 2 weeks in summer holidays). At our discretion you may combine a maximum of 2 x 2.5 hour sessions in a single day if you are using all 5 sessions at this setting.

Funded Spaces Admission Policy

All funded sessions provided are in line with Welsh Government guidance. When you register your child for their funded place, we will discuss your needs and, as far as possible with availability and staffing arrangements, we will accommodate your wishes.

We do reserve the right to limit and/or have specific funded sessions according to our business requirements.

This Policy was adopted on	Signed on Behalf of Pitter Patter Play Ltd	Date for review
23/9/24		September 2025