It is our intention to make our pre-school open to all children and families in the community. In order to accomplish this, we will;

• Operate the waiting list in order of age, with children being admitted after they reach two years.

• If possible, give priority to children referred to us by Social Services or those who have recently moved into the area.

• Welcome both fathers and mothers, other relations and other carers, including nanny’s and childminders, and people from all cultural, ethnic, religious and social groups, with and without disabilities in line with the Equality act 2010.

• Continue to welcome visits to the pre school by prospective children and their parent/carer to aid transition from home, and offer home visits and settling in sessions prior to starting

From September 2025, our fees are charged at a rate of £7 per hour. One session lasts for 3 hours. Fees are invoiced termly but other payment methods are available on request. Fees must still be paid if children are absent without notice for a short period of time. For your child to keep their place at the pre-school, you must pay your child’s fees. If you have any difficulties with payment, please let us know and we will do our best to help. If you wish to withdraw your child, 4 week’s notice must be given in writing.

During this time payment is still due.

Funded Sessions:

This is known as Free Entitlement (Early Years Provision). Your child will receive the Free Entitlement from the term after their third birthday. Funding is available for up to 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year. To claim this Free Entitlement, you must complete a Declaration Form (supplied by us) and provide us with proof of your child’s date of birth. You must also notify us if your child attends another pre-school/nursery setting.

For eligible families, the Cottis Pre school is able to offer the 2 year old children LA Free Entitlement under the government funding scheme and the Working Families Free Entitlement for 2 year olds. Please ask a member of staff for more information.

 Cottis Pre school will be offering a few limited spaces for 23 of the 30hrs free childcare. This will be on a first come basis. To qualify for the full 30 hours of free childcare, each parent (or the sole parent in a single parent family) will need to earn, on average, the equivalent of 16 hours on the national minimum wage per week (currently £107 per week), and no more than £100,000 per year. This funding can be split between child carers.

This policy will be reviewed at regular intervals.

September 2025