Nurseries and Pre-School Education
Perth & Kinross Council recognises that families have a
variety of different needs and preferences with regard to
pre-school education [pdf 638KB] and
childcare. Perth & Kinross Council is committed to
providing high quality education in all nursery schools and classes
together with a variety of
childcare facilities including childminders, nurseries,
playgroups, out of school clubs and parent & toddler
groups.
Across Perth & Kinross there are currently 45 nursery classes based in primary schools, which
offer morning and afternoon sessions. A number of
full-time nursery places are also available to eligible children on
a Council-wide basis. All full-time places are allocated on a
support for children & families basis and further
information is available within the current
Nursery Policy Guidelines [pdf 733KB]. Perth &
Kinross Education and Children's Services is also in partnership
with approximately 40 partner provider centres to provide pre-school
education places. These include private nurseries, playgroups
and nursery classes within the private, voluntary and independent
sectors.
Parents are entitled to apply to any local authority managed
nursery or partner provider centre for their child's funded
pre-school place. Information regarding the allocation of
nursery places within Perth & Kinross is contained within the
Council's
Nursery Policy Guidelines[pdf
733KB].
All providers of government funded pre-school education for 3 and 4
year olds are currently inspected by the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care (Care
Commission) and HM Inspectorate of Education
(HMIE). Staff follow national guidelines for the
education of children aged 3 - 5 years that encourage learning
through play and the service must meet standards laid down by
HMIE.
When will my child become eligible for a nursery place?
Children are entitled to a
pre-school education [pdf 638KB] place
in the term after their third birthday. Further information
regarding entry dates for pre-school education places is
available in the
Nursery Policy Guidelines [pdf
733KB]. In addition, children who will be 5 years
of age between 18 August 2010 and the last day of February 2011
whose parents have decided to
defer entry [pdf 218KB] to primary school are eligible to
register for a place at nursery schools and classes managed by
Education & Children's Services.
How and when should I register my child in nursery?
Parents can apply for a nursery place at local
authority nurseries in late February each year. A notice
will be placed in the local press detailing the relevant dates for
nursery registration.
Registration forms together with copies of the
Nursery Policy Guidelines[pdf
733KB] are available from all schools and partner
provider centres.
Proof of the child's date of birth and address should be
presented at registration. This should be their birth
certificate and the Child Benefit letter. Proof of the
parent's residency at the time of application is also required, eg
council tax documentation, as this is used in determining
priorities for allocation of places.
How can I find out more about nursery provision?
Further information on pre-school education may be obtained by
contacting:
Education & Children's Services
Pullar House
35 Kinnoull Street
PERTH
PH1 5GD
Tel: 01738 476343
Email: nursery-educ@pkc.gov.uk
