When can my child start nursery?
Entitlement to free early education and childcare
All three and four year old children in Orkney are entitled to 600 hours of nursery education (this is around 16 hours each week during term time). Children are able to start nursery at the beginning of the term after they turn three. The terms start in August, January and April. So, for example, if your child turns three in September, you are entitled to a place from the following January.
Some two year olds are also entitled to a nursery place. If your family is eligible for certain benefits, you may also be entitled to a free nursery place from the beginning of the term after your child turns two. You can find out more about which benefits make you eligible by visiting this website: https://www.mygov.scot/childcare-costs-help/funded-early-learning-and-childcare/
Can’t my child start as soon as they turn three?
If your child's birthday is between September and February, we may be able to start them on the day after their third birthday. This will depend on whether we have space in the nursery given our current staffing. If your child's birthday is between March and August, we will not be able to start them until the term after their birthday, as explained above. This is the OIC policy, and is because winter born children get less time overall in nursery, so a special effort is made to start them as early as possible.
If I am not entitled to a free place, can I pay for one?
If we have extra spaces in the nursery, we are able to charge for them at a rate of £4.50 per hour. This could apply to two year olds who are not entitled to a free place. It could also apply to parents who wish their child to attend nursery for more than 16 hours each week.
We realise that this is a complicated system! If you would like advice about when your child can start at the Westray nursery, please get in touch with the school office.
All three and four year old children in Orkney are entitled to 600 hours of nursery education (this is around 16 hours each week during term time). Children are able to start nursery at the beginning of the term after they turn three. The terms start in August, January and April. So, for example, if your child turns three in September, you are entitled to a place from the following January.
Some two year olds are also entitled to a nursery place. If your family is eligible for certain benefits, you may also be entitled to a free nursery place from the beginning of the term after your child turns two. You can find out more about which benefits make you eligible by visiting this website: https://www.mygov.scot/childcare-costs-help/funded-early-learning-and-childcare/
Can’t my child start as soon as they turn three?
If your child's birthday is between September and February, we may be able to start them on the day after their third birthday. This will depend on whether we have space in the nursery given our current staffing. If your child's birthday is between March and August, we will not be able to start them until the term after their birthday, as explained above. This is the OIC policy, and is because winter born children get less time overall in nursery, so a special effort is made to start them as early as possible.
If I am not entitled to a free place, can I pay for one?
If we have extra spaces in the nursery, we are able to charge for them at a rate of £4.50 per hour. This could apply to two year olds who are not entitled to a free place. It could also apply to parents who wish their child to attend nursery for more than 16 hours each week.
We realise that this is a complicated system! If you would like advice about when your child can start at the Westray nursery, please get in touch with the school office.