Admissions policy for Early Learning and Childcare

The Early Years Admissions Policy is applied when considering the allocation of Early Learning and Childcare places. This sets the priorities for the allocation of 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 from birth up 2 years old Children who at any time from the age of 2 years have been

a. Looked after and accommodated

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 who 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

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
there are 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
there are 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 all 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 resident within South Lanarkshire Council Area and those 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.