South Acton Children’s Centre 

ADMISSIONS POLICY AND CRITERIA  

Over 3’s Nursery 

The Centre uses the LA criteria for offering priority places for children over 3 years old. The children are then admitted strictly in birth date order onto the waiting list.  Following their third birthday, as soon as a place becomes vacant, it is offered to a child on the waiting list. The child may only take up one LA nursery education place, attending either 5 mornings or 5 afternoons a week during term time, and parents are advised to consider their options before choosing to take up an offer to prevent unnecessary changes for the young child. There are a limited number of full time places. Priority is for parents who are training or working. These are normally allocated by the end of October of each academic year and if not filled are offered to part time children. There is a charge for these places. You are welcome to attend our Family and Community Team groups in the Centre and local community venues, before your child reaches 3 years old.  (Groups are available from pre-birth to 4 years of age from the Family and Community Team)    

Admission criteria for children with a specific need

There is a specific admission criteria, for children where there is a particular need. All applications for places will need to be supported by a comprehensive written professional opinion (i.e. social worker, health visitor etc) on the appropriate Centre Referral Form. This may be accompanied by supplementary reports i.e. from a speech therapist, if appropriate. The criteria are listed below. 

a.  Children who may be specifically recommended by Child Protection Conferences, or Child Care Statutory reviews in specific cases.          

b.  Children with disabilities. 

c.  Children who’s intellectual, emotional, physical, language or social development is significantly delayed. 

d.  Children whose parents/carers or brothers or sisters have a disability or severe medical problem. 

e.   Children whose parents/carers need family support in their parenting role, where without intervention there could be potential for significant harm to the child and/or a deterioration of family life. 

N.B. Although a child may meet the criteria, a Centre place may not be the appropriate placement, i.e. a child requiring a 1:1 staff:child ratio. All places will be offered on an assessment basis and will be subject to regular reviews. The age range of the nursery is from 1 year to Ealing’s Statutory School age. (The academic year {Sept 1st-Aug 31st} in which the child is 5 years old.)

Procedure for allocation of places for referred children
Allocation panel meetingsThe application and referral letter will be presented at one of the bi-monthly Central Allocation Panel meetings.
Frequency

Panels are held every 2 months.

Membership of Panel

Membership is made up of senior professionals from Social Services, the Health Authority and Education Department.  It is chaired by the Head of Early Years, Child Care & Play.

Prioritising

The panel will consider the application and referral and prioritise according to the child’s need.  Admission is based upon these priorities:-                                                                                   

Priority 1

Where there is high concern.                          

Priority 2

Where there is medium concern. 

Priority 3

Where there is low concern. 

Type of Service Offered

The panel will discuss the most appropriate place for the child and whether it will be part time or full time. Placements could include Childminder, Family Centre, Nursery Centre, Community Group or Nursery School. 

Notification of Decision

The              The parent/carer will be notified of the decision made. If a service is to be offered, it will be  dependent on the availability of a place.