Admission Arrangements

Admission Arrangements for Little Ducklings Nursery, Lakeside Primary Academy 

Little Ducklings Nursery is part of Lakeside Nursery and Primary Academy. Parents wanting to apply for a place should therefore complete the school’s application form and submit it directly to the school for consideration.

The school will endeavour to inform parents by letter of the outcome of their application the term before admission but this is not guaranteed. 

If a place is available, a child can be admitted into Little Ducklings Nursery in the term after they turn 3 years old. We also have a small number of places available for 2 year olds to start in the term after their 2nd birthday.

Nursery Admissions Criteria for 3/4 year olds

Applications will be considered in accordance with the following criteria which are set out in priority order.

1. Looked after or previously looked after children.
2. Children with exceptional social/ medical/educational needs.
3. Children of staff at the school.
4. A child who, at the time of admission, has a sibling on the school roll or in the nursery.
5. Children who will turn 4 years old between 1st September 2023 – 31stAugust 2024.
6. Children who will turn 3 years old between 1st September 2023 – 31st August 2024.

Nursery Admissions Criteria for 2 year olds

Limited places are available for 2 year olds and top priority will be given to those children who qualify for FEET funding. In the event of oversubscription, applications will be considered in accordance with the following criteria:-

1. Looked after or previously looked after children
2. Children with exceptional social/ medical/educational needs.
3. Children of staff at the school
4. A child who, at the time of admission, has a sibling on the school roll or in the nursery.
5. Children who will turn 3 years old between 1st September 2023 – 31stAugust 2024
6. Children who will turn 2 years old between 1st September 2023 – 31st August 2024.

In cases where an exceptional social, medical or educational need either exists or is identified, the Nursery may consider an alternative timetable of attendance for a specific period. Any changes to the normal provision will be temporary, at the discretion of the head teacher or Inclusion Lead and only offered with the express aim of facilitating early and comprehensive assessment.

Where any category is oversubscribed, applicants will be ranked according to the straight line distance that they live from the school with priority being given to those children who live the closest. The Nursery will then maintain a waiting list in criteria order.

Once a two year old is placed on role at Lakeside Nursery (Little Ducklings), they will automatically be entitled to a three year old place and the number of three year old places will reduce.

It should be noted that admission to Little Ducklings Nursery does not guarantee admission to the Reception class in the main school. Applications for Reception must be made separately and submitted by the statutory deadline in order to be considered.