Admissions policy for Early Learning and Childcare
The Early Years Admissions Policy is applied when allocating Early Learning and Childcare places. This sets the priorities for allocating places based on the child's needs. This admissions policy was approved in 2023.
Children aged 0-3 years
Priority 1
Children affected by abuse
Children with additional support needs
Looked after and accommodated
Children affected by domestic violence
Children affected by substance misuse
Children affected by a disability within the home
Children with refugee status
Children whose parents have been previously care experienced
Eligible 2 year olds as required by relevant legislation from time of application
All applications within Priority 1 must be substantiated by a wellbeing assessment / single agency assessment
Priority 2
New applications: 0-3 year olds
Priority 3
Transfer applications where there is:
- a change in circumstances
- those not receiving their first choice of provision
Priority 4
Transfer applications: parental choice
Priority 5
All children resident outwith South Lanarkshire Council but are within a catchment area of a primary school within the council area
Children aged 3-5 years
Priority 1
Children affected by abuse
Children with additional support needs
Children who at any time have been:
a. Looked after and accommodated, or
b. Subject to a Kinship Care Order
Children affected by domestic violence
Children affected by substance misuse
Children affected by a disability within the home
Children with refugee status
Children whose parents have been previously care experienced
All applications within Priority 1 must be substantiated by a wellbeing assessment/single agency assessment
Priority 2
Children in their pre-school year – new applications
Eligible deferred entry children
Transfer application pre-school year children where there is:
- A change in circumstances
- those not receiving their first choice of provision
Priority 3
Children in their ante pre-school year – new applications
Transfer applications ante-pre-school year where there is:
- a change in circumstances
- those not receiving their first choice of provision
Priority 4
Transfer application pre-school year children - parental choice
Transfer applications ante-pre-school year – parental choice
Priority 5
All children resident outwith South Lanarkshire Council but within a catchment area of a primary school within the council area
Priority 6
All children resident outwith South Lanarkshire Council area
Additional hours
Please note that additional hours will be offered after Priority 1 to 5 have been allocated.
The allocation of any place within an Early Learning and Childcare establishment must be allocated using the following policy:
Additional hours - allocation criteria category
Category 1 - All Priority 1 children
Category 2 - Children whose parents and/or carer are in employment or education
Category 3 - All other children
- Priorities 1-5 are children who are residents within the South Lanarkshire Council area and children who are catchment pupils for a South Lanarkshire Council Primary school.
- All children (non-SLC primary school catchment children) residing outwith the council no matter the circumstances are considered priority 6.
- Eligible children will have access to Early Learning and Childcare regardless of age, gender, race, religion or need.
- Early Learning and Childcare will be provided on a non-denominational basis.
- Securing a place in a primary school nursery class does not provide a priority primary school place within the same primary school.
- Eligible children deferring entry from Primary are considered returning children.
- Additional hours are only considered once all eligible children have been allocated their entitlement. Transfer applications no matter when received will only be applicable within one academic year.
- Where possible siblings and multiple birth families will be offered the same pattern of attendance/sessions within the same nursery once they have been allocated a space.
- All applications from parents for Cross Border funding will be considered by the Cross Border Funding Protocol Admissions Group.
- Blended models require to be agreed between two providers.
- Where possible bespoke patterns of attendance are considered on request.