Admissions

LEA Nursery Admissions are centrally organised by the Vale of Glamorgam Council.

All children are entitled to a part-time nursery place from the start of the term following their third birthday.

However, the places in this nursery are consistently oversubscribed, and it is necessary therefore to adopt certain criteria when allocating places.  These criteria are in line with the official policy of the Vale of Glamorgan Education Authority regarding admissions to nursery schools and classes.

Criteria for Admission

Children must have reached the age of 3 years to qualify for admission and resident within the defined catchment area. Bute Cottage prioritises Evenlode, and Fairfield Primary schools as “catchment”, and Albert, Cogan and Victoria as out of catchment.

When the places available are oversubscribed places are offered initially with reference to the priority criteria listed below:

A.Children who will be 4 years of age during the school year; if places are limited:

Children living nearest Bute Cottage as measured by the shortest available walking route;

Children with compelling medical or social need.

B.Children who are 3 yrs in the previous term; if places are limited:

Children with siblings in attendance at the school

Children living nearest Bute Cottage as measured by the shortest available walking route;

Children with compelling medical or social need.

In the Summer Term all parents of new children are invited to an open evening. This provides the opportunity to meet staff and ask questions.

Following this parents and their child are invited to an open day to experience a taster session & complete admission forms.

We are sensitive to the needs of children starting school for the first time. We make every effort to ensure they feel safe, secure and welcome. The session on their first day is only an hour long and increases with the child’s confidence.

The single-storey nature of the school, with widened doorways and a separate changing area, enables physical access for all children. A detailed Disability Audit plan outlines the reasonable measures that the school takes to ensure access for all and prevent disabled pupils from being treated less favourably than other pupils.