A Parents Guide to how the system works
 | How to make your choice |
| Further information |
Can
pre-school education make a difference?
Yes; children who benefit from good pre-school education are more likely to:
| relate well to the world around them |
| grow in confidence and develop self-esteem |
| make good progress at school |
| stay in education longer and gain qualifications |
| be successful in their working life. |
Children develop more rapidly in their first five years than at any other time.
You are the first teacher your child has – you help your child understand the world
in which they live – but there are others who can work alongside you in the important
task of educating your child. This page sets out who they are and the range of
opportunities on offer to you in
Bristol. Check out the various research on what quality
entails.
Under the government's early years programme, all four-year-olds are entitled to three
terms of free part-time education from the term following their fourth birthday. A place
must be available for at least 2.5 hours a day, 5 days a week, for a total of 33 weeks in
a year. Places are provided in a variety of "settings": childminders,
nurseries, playgroups,
pre-schools, schools, etc. Settings offering less time may work in partnership with each
other to offer children places. Many settings in Bristol offer a variety of care and
educational services over and above this basic minimum if you require it. However, you may
need to pay extra for this.
Bristol has established an Early Years Development Partnership which brings together
representatives of all local early years groups. This Partnership has produced an Early Years Development Plan which aims to meet the needs
and interests of Bristol children and parents. For 1999 this becomes an Early Years & Childcare Development
Plan.
The Early Years Development Plan shows how Bristol Council aims to offer an early
education place for every four-year-old child. The Plan includes all the local
providers that meet the standards set for good quality early education. These providers
have satisfied (or will shortly be satisfying) a Registered Nursery Inspector appointed by
OFSTED (the Office for Standards in Education) that the education they offer will enable
children to achieve at least the Desirable Learning Outcomes – the goals which
describe what children should know and be able to do by the time they turn five.
Children do not have to attend any educational setting until the term following their
fifth
birthday, and you will decide whether early education – in whatever setting – is
right for your child. Although you may choose where to send your child, free part-time
places for
four-year-olds are available only in the settings which are included in Bristol's Early
Years Development Plan.
The Benefits
for Children of Good Quality Early Years Education
Children who benefit from good quality early years education are most likely to:
| develop self-esteem and confidence |
| make good progress at school |
| stay in education longer |
| obtain qualifications |
| be more successful in their working life They learn: |
| pre-reading skills through listening and talking with responsive adults, |
| having stories read to them, and learning nursery rhymes and songs |
| pre-writing skills through using paint brushes, and then crayons and pencils |
| pre-maths and science skills through recognising and sorting shapes, jigsaws,
measuring sand, filling and emptying containers in the water tray. They develop: |
| their personal and social skills by mixing and co-operating with other children
and adults, and by sharing and taking turns |
| creativity and imagination by painting, making structures from cereal boxes, etc, laying with clay, dough, building blocks and enjoying stories and music |
| physically, by using the climbing frame, dancing, skipping and marching to music
and playing with construction toys. |
An outline
of the system - by age
Below you will find a brief description of the places that can provide education for your
child. For more information please contact early years
education settings or other contact numbers. These deal with the formal registered
system.
Under 3's: Check out your local Childminders or playgroups or toddlers groups (via Avon Parents Network for present). Some private, independent & community nurseries have places for very young children - but they can be costly because of the higher staffing ratios and standards required. Most care for under three's has to be paid for. The introduction of Childcare Tax Credit in October 1999 is expected to assist. Some children (usually aged over two) may be eligible for sponsored Childminder or Day Care places if they have Special Needs (as assessed according to Social Services Special Needs matrix). There is also a discussion as to whether we should be promoting a voluntary register of nannies.
Age 2: This is the age when you can register your child at a Local Authority nursery school or class. Most hold waiting lists and a common application form is being developed. Some settings will want to visit you at home before allocating places from the waiting list. Some settings also hold pre-school classes or specific courses for parents. There are four principles underlying the Admission procedures - and you should get a reasoned justification if you are unsuccessful.
Age 3: This is when there is the tendency to move to a "September" intake at Local Education Authority provision. You can start at other times of the year if there are spaces and we are trying to encourage more flexibility. Similarly there are a wide range of expectations and provision. There are just about enough places for at least a part-time place for every 3 year old (67% met in LA provision, balance in private & community sector). Increasingly parents want a full-time place, and we have moved away from the "part-time" norm promoted by Avon.We have also asked settings to be as flexible as possible in how they offer part-time places. It is however important to have regard to the best interests of the child. It will take time to increase places. We are currently awaiting details of how places for 3 year olds are to be funded (check latest news), so any increase in full-time places may involve a part-education, part-care (paid for) day. Most LEA settings run a 2.5/3 hour session in the morning and afternoon, from around 9.00am to around 3.15pm. Private & community nurseries often carry on longer, till 6.00pm.
Age 4: Progressively children generally move to full-time LEA nursery school, nursery class, or reception class provision, although some still continue in private, independent or community nurseries. Currently all four year olds are entitled to at least a part-time free education place at a registered setting. This means that funding will be reimbursed for places at registered private, independent or community nurseries - see below. There is often a staggered entry in September to help children gradually get used to school. We are trying to limit this to 3 weeks and to promote a little more flexibility over the September start - especially for summer born children. This does however often cause difficulties for the infant school and may mean that a place at a preferred school (if it is popular) is no longer available. After school care is often provided by childminders. Although there is a growing amount of after school provision, very little exists for under 5's.
Age 5: This is the statutory school starting age and children will generally attend an LEA nursery class, reception class, or independent school. There is a debate taking place over the appropriate role of reception class (under pressure from baseline assessment and the literacy hour) - is it to develop the whole child on a supported play or high/scope approach; or to start the preparation for SAT tests? Refer to the Quality page links to find out more. There is a view that instead of the current "rising five" policy we should aim to move to a "rising six" policy - with a quality nursery or foundation curriculum which includes reception classes, and with baseline assessment at the end of the current reception year. This would need improved staffing ratio's (at least 1:13) in reception classes but would offer the advantages of greater stability between age 3 and 6, as well as mixed age, peer group interaction.
Age 6 and over: Outside the school day and the reliance on childminders there are a growing number of after school clubs, homework clubs, etc. Many of these rely on local parents energy to be successful. Contact OSCA, BAND or APN if you would like to start one or find out more. The main issue is affordability (what gaps will the Childcare Tax Credit leave? and the reliance on untrained informal childcare. There is also felt to be a gap in providing attractive facilities for the 12 to 14 age group.
The Bristol
Early Years Development Plan
The Bristol Early Years Partnership and the City Council produced an Early Years Development Plan which was approved by David
Blunkett and came into effect on 1 April 1998. This Plan sets out how our guarantee of at
least a part time free early years education place for every four-year-old is available.
It also shows that we are just about able to deliver a guarantee of at least a part time
free early years education place for every three year old (some 67% in LEA sector, balance
in voluntary and private sector).
When? From April 1998 there
was a guaranteed, at least part-time, place for all four-year-olds. We think we are just
about able to offer the same guarantee for three year olds - although this has to be
balanced with the desire for full time places for four year olds.
Who? All children are
entitled to this free education from the term after they turn four, if their parents want
it. You can choose not to take advantage of this opportunity for your child, but all
children must start their education in the term after they turn five years old.
What? Every four year old
child is entitled to 5 sessions of education for 2½ hours a session for 33 weeks a year.
Where? You can choose from a
wide variety of places (or settings) all of which provide children with a good early years
educational experience. These settings must be
registered with Bristol Council to be included in the Development Plan. They include
independent, state, private and voluntary provision, such as:
|
|
What Must They Do?
All settings in the Development Plan have agreed to:
| work (at least) towards the Desirable Learning Outcomes for four-year-olds |
| have regard to the Government’s Code of Practice for special educational needs |
| make a wide range of information available to parents, including their
educational programme and details about admissions and staffing |
| have their educational provision inspected by the Office for Standards in
Education (OFSTED) and make the inspection report and Action Plan available to parents. |
All settings in the registered scheme have agreed to provide a common basic
service for children and families. Some settings that offer care or education beyond the
minimum 2.5 hours for an additional fee, may only have a limited number of free places. To
join the scheme, these providers only have to offer at least one free place.
Please find out what is on offer from each setting before you make a final choice. If your
child has special medical or educational needs, particular provision may be available.
There
are specialists within the Health and Education Service who can support you and the
setting you choose for your child.
Grant funded places for 4
year olds
Settings (individually or in partnership), within Bristol's Plan offer at least a 2.5 hour
by 5 session free place for 33 weeks per year. Your child is only entitled to 5 sessions
of grant-funded education a week and audit checks are made to ensure that children are not
being funded at different settings for more than 5 sessions. This can include childminders
who are registered through the Childminding Network.
If you want additional education time or care facilities for your child, this may be
available in some settings. State educational provision must be free of charge, but we are
looking to offer associated care packages which may be charged for. You may be required to
pay for additional care or education time, if you choose it, from other settings, but this
must not be a condition of the free core place which may be offered.
Who will be helping and working with your child?
Early years workers and teachers:
The training and qualifications of staff in settings may vary and you may wish to ask the
setting for information about the early years workers and their qualifications. From
September 1999, a qualified teacher will be involved in every setting which is part of
Bristol's Early Years Development Plan, although they may be acting as an adviser
rather than being part of the regular staff team.
Making
a choice - finding out what is available
You can choose from the list where to send your
four-year-old child for free part-time education. However, in any area your choice may be
limited by the types of setting available or the fact that some places have a waiting list
and may give priority to children who will take up a full-time place and pay for the extra
hours.
| Details & Size | Staff | Sessions | Numbers | Inspection |
| Childminders | ||||
| Children looked after
in childminder’s own home. Registered childminders who are part of a Childminding
Network may be included within Bristol’s Plan. Age Range 0-16 |
Usually work on their own or with another childminder. Childminders are recruited, assessed and monitored to ensure their skills, experience and training match standards set by the National Childminding Association and the DfEE. | Usually day care from
8am–6pm. Many will work other hours to meet parent needs. They are open for most of the year. Admissions by agreement between the parent and the childminder, often a written agreement. |
The Registration
Certificate from the Council states the number of children who may be cared for. This must
not exceed three children under 5 and overall six children aged 0-8, including the childminder’s own children. |
Under Eights Advisers
from the Council, the Registration Unit, and OFSTED will report on the quality of care and
education. Governed by Children Act |
| Pre-schools and Playgroups | ||||
| Specific Information Many two, three and four year olds go to pre-schools or playgroups in their local community. Groups encourage parents to take part in activities and become members of the management committee. Staff Age Range: Most children start at three years old, but some pre-schools and playgroups accept younger children. |
At least half of the staff will be qualified as leaders or assistants. | Most offer half day
sessions, not necessarily every day of the week. However, some offer longer hours or a
full day. Groups usually close for school holidays, although those that cater for working parents may stay open. Admissions |
There may be up to 26
children, aged two-and-a-half to five, in a room. There must be at least one adult for every eight children (3–5 years) and one adult to six children when there are children under the age of three. |
Under Eights Advisers
from the Council, the Registration Unit, and OFSTED will report on the quality of care and
education. Governed by Children Act |
| Day/ Private/ Community Nurseries click for list of registered providers | ||||
| Day nurseries take
children up to age five. In Bristol they are run by private individuals, community groups, Montessori organisations, commercial companies or workplaces. Age range from about 6 months to 5+ years. |
At least half the
staff must have a qualification that is recognised by the local authority. The number of staff per child will vary according to the age of children in their care. For example, there must be one adult to every four children aged between 2 and 3, and 1:8 for over 3's. |
Admissions Priority may be given to children who will take a full-time place and pay for the additional hours. |
There are limits on the number of children in one room according to age. There will be one adult for every eight children aged 3–5. | Under Eights Advisers
from the Council, the Registration Unit, and OFSTED will report on the quality of care and
education. Governed by Children Act |
| Independent Schools click for list of registered providers | ||||
| If they have five or
more children over the age of five, independent schools must register with the DfEE as
independent schools, rather than registering with the local authority as private nurseries. Age Range: Have their own arrangements. |
There are no regulations on numbers or qualification of staff but schools that are members of the Independent Schools Joint Council (ISJC) are expected to employ qualified staff. | Usually offer
full-time provision. Before and after school care may also be available. Priority may be given to children who will take a full-time place and pay for the additional hours. |
There are no regulations on the size of classes. | Nursery education
inspectors from OFSTED will inspect and report on the quality of education provided for
four-year-olds. Law Applying |
| Local Authority Nursery Schools (14) click for list of registered providers | ||||
| Nursery schools are
separate establishments that are only used by children under 5. Age
Range |
The staff are qualified teachers and qualified assistants. There will also be a Nursery Head Teacher. | At least 5 half-day
sessions a week during term-time are usually offered. Children with special needs or to
provide balance may be offered full-time places. See admission policy. Ask each school for their own version & prospectus. You do not currently have a legal right to appeal if your child is refused a place. |
There may be up to 30
children in a group or class and there will be at least two adults. (Max adult:child ratio 1:10 inc teacher) |
Nursery schools are
inspected as part of the regular inspections carried out by OFSTED. They are however not
covered by full Local Management (LMS). Law Applying: The Education Acts |
| Local Authority Nursery Classes (42) click for list of registered providers | ||||
| Nursery classes are
part of infant or primary schools. Age Range Children will start aged 3 or 4 years, depending on the local demand for places. Waiting lists open from age 2.
|
The staff are qualified teachers and qualified assistants. | At least 5 half-day
sessions a week during term-time are usually offered. Children with special needs or to
provide balance may be offered full-time places. See admission policy. Ask each school for their own version & prospectus. You do not currently have a legal right to appeal if your child is refused a place. |
There may be up to 30
children in a group or class and there will be at least two adults. (Max adult:child ratio of 1:13). |
Nursery classes are
inspected as part of the regular inspections carried out by OFSTED. Law Applying: The Education Acts (and LMS) |
| Local Authority Reception Classes click for list of registered providers | ||||
| Reception Classes are
part of Infant & Primary Schools Age Range Children start in the reception class (Year R) in the year in which they become five.
|
The teachers are
qualified and may be trained for working with under fives. The assistants may have qualifications which are recognised by the Council. |
Full time places are
usually available for four-year-old children. Schools may
offer Admissions |
The Council is seeking
to move towards an adult:child ratio of 1:15 or 1:13 for children under five. |
Inspection: OFSTED will inspect education for four year olds as part of their regular school inspection. Law Applying The Education Acts and LMS. |
| Local Authority Day Nurseries (7) click for list of registered providers | ||||
| Day Nurseries are run
by Social Services to help those most in need. They cater for children from age 2 to 5. |
Staff will have care qualifications. | Will vary according to
need. Admission by referral from Social Services. |
Will vary according to setting. | Registration Unit and Children's Act |
| Local Authority: Early Years Centre of Excellence (1- Hartcliffe) | ||||
| Developed as single
centre from Nursery School & Day Nursery. Catering for children age up to 5, including work with parents. |
Both teaching, early years carers, and carers, with qualified overall Centre Manager | Will vary according to
need and age. Admission by referral from Social Services. See also admission policy. Ask for their own version & prospectus. You do not currently have a legal right to appeal if your child is refused a place. |
Will vary according to setting. | Currently both Ofsted
(as Nursery School) and Registration Unit (as Day Nursery). Falls under both Education Acts & Childrens's Act |
The 98 Development Plan is also available at your Local Library, at Partnership member settings, or by ringing the Early Years Team on 903 7736. Help is also available from Avon Parents Network, on Bristol Info page, or other key organisations in Bristol.