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Original poster

State School Rules for Accepting 3 Year Old?

116 replies

saurusy · 13/07/2023 20:17

Our child turns 3 shortly and we have been set on (and accepted) for a 5 day full time funded place at a local state school that has a mixed pre-school and nursery with 3 and 4 year olds in attendance. Suddenly the school has stated that because of our childs age they will not be able to manage him and recommend that he only attend part time, which will create a number of issues.
Our child is extremely boisterous, loves play, and due to issues which meant that has opportunities to interact with other children to date have been limited, he is extremely over excited when in contact with other children.
Our child is already learning about lots of stuff and loves doing so. We feel that having him in an organised setting rather than one where he just runs around all day (and gets extremely bored doing so after a while without sufficient stimulation) will be beneficial to him.
What are the hard and fast rules? Can a state school refuse the child?

OP posts:
Shinyandnew1 · 13/07/2023 20:21

At what age does this school take children full time?

Parker231 · 13/07/2023 20:21

If he is nearly 3, it’s nursery and not school. There is only a statutory entitlement to a full time school place in the September after the 4th birthday

Original poster
saurusy · 13/07/2023 20:22

Shinyandnew1 · 13/07/2023 20:21

At what age does this school take children full time?

from age 3 onwards. Our child will be in the age range but 'very young' as a summer born.

OP posts:
PumpkinPie77 · 13/07/2023 20:24

What country are you in?

CopperSeahorses · 13/07/2023 20:24

Is there an EHCP in place for your child?

Original poster
saurusy · 13/07/2023 20:25

PumpkinPie77 · 13/07/2023 20:24

What country are you in?

England

OP posts:
Original poster
saurusy · 13/07/2023 20:26

CopperSeahorses · 13/07/2023 20:24

Is there an EHCP in place for your child?

The school has stated that they will be applying for funding.

OP posts:
MaybeBabyTwo · 13/07/2023 20:27

Nursery, not school. There is no legal entitlement to early years provision so yes they can refuse.

PumpkinPie77 · 13/07/2023 20:28

In England 'school' starts the September after a child's 4th birthday. So if your child is about to turn 3, he won't start proper school until September 2024, when he'll go into reception year.

So for now you've got a place at the pre-school / nursery.

How is it fully funded? That might make a difference in how / why they are saying they won't take him full time.

Tempone · 13/07/2023 20:29

I don't see why you don't listen to them, they have told you essentially he will be In the wrong setting.

MerryMarigold · 13/07/2023 20:29

Likely to get bored if he's there for 2 years. School can do as they please at this age. Did you have a 30 hours funded place agreed with the school or just assumed? Are you eligible for that?

Not sure what you mean by he'll be bored just running around. Do you mean in a private nursery? I've worked in a number of places and there's all sorts of activities going on for each age group, which are great.

LIZS · 13/07/2023 20:29

Early years funding or to support additional need via an ehcp? As long as they only claim EY funding for the hours dc attends they can reduce attendance. They cannot discriminate if he has a recognised disability though or ,for example ,is not toilet trained. Would the plan be to increase to ft eventually?

PumpkinPie77 · 13/07/2023 20:30

If you're keen to send him 5 days a week look into different nursery options. Not all are free play all day. Some have structured activities.

Or a child minder who has structured daily activities.

Also, kids need free play to learn.

Original poster
saurusy · 13/07/2023 20:30

MerryMarigold · 13/07/2023 20:29

Likely to get bored if he's there for 2 years. School can do as they please at this age. Did you have a 30 hours funded place agreed with the school or just assumed? Are you eligible for that?

Not sure what you mean by he'll be bored just running around. Do you mean in a private nursery? I've worked in a number of places and there's all sorts of activities going on for each age group, which are great.

30 hours funded place agreed with the school and eligible.

OP posts:
Original poster
saurusy · 13/07/2023 20:32

LIZS · 13/07/2023 20:29

Early years funding or to support additional need via an ehcp? As long as they only claim EY funding for the hours dc attends they can reduce attendance. They cannot discriminate if he has a recognised disability though or ,for example ,is not toilet trained. Would the plan be to increase to ft eventually?

School is applying for EHCP as additional funding. EY 30 hour funding already in place.

OP posts:
Shinyandnew1 · 13/07/2023 20:35

Are they saying they can’t meet the child’s needs because of their age or because of their SEND? Obviously the Statutory assessment process is going to take time-probably exceeding the (statutory) 20 weeks-has the request already been made?

Original poster
saurusy · 13/07/2023 20:37

Shinyandnew1 · 13/07/2023 20:35

Are they saying they can’t meet the child’s needs because of their age or because of their SEND? Obviously the Statutory assessment process is going to take time-probably exceeding the (statutory) 20 weeks-has the request already been made?

Their concern is purely because of age.

OP posts:
Shinyandnew1 · 13/07/2023 20:38

Do they normally take children immediately after their third birthday?

LIZS · 13/07/2023 20:38

So why apply for an Ehcp? Are there indications of any possible Additional Needs?

Original poster
saurusy · 13/07/2023 20:40

Shinyandnew1 · 13/07/2023 20:38

Do they normally take children immediately after their third birthday?

Yes the group is mixed 3 and 4 year olds from September. At the time of confirmation of admission a few months ago no issues were highlighted.

OP posts:
YourNameGoesHere · 13/07/2023 20:41

I presume he is meant to start after the holidays? I'm surprised they are already saying they need to get an EHCP when he's not even started yet? Has he been to any form of childcare before because of not then a jump to 5 days a week at just turned 3 in a school setting is probably not going to work so it seems the half days would actually be ok in his best interests.

MissRainbowBrite · 13/07/2023 20:41

If the school believe that your child may need additional support, which they do as an EHCP is being applied for then that will require additional staff for him which can't be provided until the EHCP is in place and the funding has come through which that provides. The nursery will be considering his needs and the needs of the other children.
What do you mean by boisterous? And does he turn 3 before 31st August?

Calloffruity · 13/07/2023 20:42

LIZS · 13/07/2023 20:38

So why apply for an Ehcp? Are there indications of any possible Additional Needs?

It's confusing isn't it

Original poster
saurusy · 13/07/2023 20:42

LIZS · 13/07/2023 20:38

So why apply for an Ehcp? Are there indications of any possible Additional Needs?

The school feels that as he is very animated that he will be disruptive towards the rest of the class, so needs 1 to 1.

OP posts:
MissRainbowBrite · 13/07/2023 20:44

Can you give example of his animated and boisterous behaviour? Have his current setting displayed any concerns?