Nursery Admissions

Admissions to Ponsbourne St. Mary's C of E VC Nursery 2024-2025

As a Voluntary Controlled nursery and primary school, Ponsbourne St. Mary’s C of E VC Primary School allocates Nursery places in accordance with the rules listed below.

Ponsbourne St. Mary’s is a small village primary school which admits up to 10 children into our nursery class. Children are normally admitted into the nursery class in the September following their third birthday and move on to a primary school (Reception) the next September. Please note that admission into the nursery class does not guarantee admission into our reception class.

Nursery Admissions

At Ponsbourne St. Mary’s Nursery we care about giving your child the best possible start to their school life.

Our dedicated staff members are committed to meeting the needs of each individual child, while nurturing their interests and talents. Our small school size means that children and adults know each other well and there is a family feel. Activities are planned to ensure all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum are covered and are designed to follow the interests of the children to ensure maximum engagement.

We offer a safe and stimulating environment, and we are fortunate to have our own forest and are able to offer forest school sessions.

As a parent or carer you are kept fully informed of your child’s progress through their Tapestry Online Learning Journal which gives you access to photographs, videos and observations made throughout the day.

We would welcome the chance to show you our amazing school, so if you would like to visit, please make an appointment to come and see us.

At Ponsbourne St Mary’s Primary School, children attend the nursery Monday to Friday mornings during term time.

30 Hours Childcare

If we have sufficient interest, in addition to the morning sessions, we also offer whole day sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which can be paid from 30 hours provision if you are entitled to this.  This offer is made for children in the September after they turn three.  

All parents are entitled to 15 hours of free child care and can buy additional hours for their child on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, if they do not qualify for the 30 hours free child care. This is charged at £16 per 3 hour session.  The nursery operates from 8:50am until 11.50am (or from 8:50am until 3.10pm if your child stays for Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons).  Stand-alone afternoon sessions are not available.  If a child is staying all day on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, parents will need to provide them with a packed lunch or pay for a school meal.

What am I Entitled to?

All children, who are three or four years old are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare. Some children may be entitled to 30 hours of free childcare.

You can usually get 30 hours free childcare if you (and your partner, if you have one) are:

• in work - or getting parental leave, sick leave or annual leave
• each earning at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week - this is £125.28 if you’re over 25

This earnings limit does not apply if you’re self-employed and started your business less than 12 months ago.

You’re not eligible if:

• your child does not usually live with you
• either you or your partner has a taxable income over £100,000
• you’re from outside the EEA and your UK residence card says you cannot access public funds

If you foster your child, you cannot apply online for 30 hours free childcare. Speak to your social worker and your local authority if you want to apply.

You can get 30 hours free childcare at the same time as claiming Universal Credit, tax credits, childcare vouchers or Tax-Free Childcare.

If You Cannot Work

You may still be eligible if your partner is working, and you get Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Carer’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance.

www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/parents

https://www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare

Can I Look Around the Nursery?

Visits to the nursery are warmly encouraged.  Viewings can be made from the end of November onwards.  Please call the office on 01707 872395 to arrange an appointment.

How Do I Apply?

Contact the school office on 01707 872395.

Application form - Nursery.docx

When Do I Apply?

Applications for September 2023 can be made between 1st February 2024 and 11th March 2024.

After this time, applications will be classed as late applications and will be looked at after other applications have been considered.

How are Applications Considered?

Once the closing date has arrived, we will then consider all the applications made. If there are less than 10 applications made, all offers will be made. If we receive more applications, then the following criteria will be applied.

1. Does your child have an EHCP?
2. Is your child a looked after child?
3. Does your child have any medical or social reasons why Ponsbourne St. Mary’s is the right school for them?
4. Does your child have a sibling in the school?
5. The distance you live from the school

To be eligible for criteria 1-3, further documents will be required at the point of application.  If these are not sent in with the application form, this criteria will not be considered.

How Will Distances be Measured?

We will use the following online distance measuring tool to calculate the straight line distance from your house to the school

www.daftlogic.com/projects-google-maps-distance-calculator.htm

When Will Offers be Made?

Offers will be made in the week beginning 18th March 2023.  Parents will have until 28th March 2023 to accept or reject the offer.

To download the September 2024 Nursery application form, please click on the link below

Nursery 2024 Application Form