Is anyone good at drafting complaint letters/appeals because I need some help!

[mosschops30]

I want to appeal against the local councils decison to not offer my ds a nursery place near his childminder.
I have provided her documents and my own and written explaining the situation (he has been with her since he was 9 mnths, now 3.4, that neither me or dh can get him to a local nursery as we both work from 7.30am, I refuse to move him to a childminder he doesnt know especially when he's starting a new school).

So i want to know, what I can say in an appeal letter, how I can contact my local mp and if I can do anything else.

Oh and I'm not being pretentious its not a prestigious school, or a church nursery, its just a normal school in a normal area

no idea, sorry, but I think nursery places go on your address, not your childminder's. Sorry. I know it's a bleeding pain in the bum for working parents.

they told me theres no such thing as a catchment for nursery but in the next breath that selection will be made on distance from school.
I want to complain because I think its unfair that because we are working parents then he will miss out on a year of nursery. Thems the rules but doesnt mean its right

My friend just did this - on different grounds though so it would be difficult to advise.

In terms of what you can say in appeal letter - just write what it is you wish to appeal against - so look at the LEA website for appeals and find out what is "appealable" iyswim and base it on every aspect of that which you can.

In terms of contacting your local MP you will be able to find them on your local council's website also.

My friend presented her "case" in a professional presentation folder.

I feel for you as I think I will probably end up in a similar position shortly.

Ah - nursery has different rules AFAIK. At the nursery where my DS is, kids are accepted on a first come first served basis, regardless of anything.

Can you find the "rules" for yours online?

will try and look and report back thanks

this is all I can find

Through the Council, the Welsh Assembly Government funds a part-time early education place for all three and four-year-olds whose parents want one. Places will normally be offered in local community nursery schools or nursery classes.

Before September 2004, parents had to wait until the September following their child's third birthday to enrol but now, for example, if a child turns three on November 3, he or she will become eligible for a part-time place in January.

'Where places are unavailable within community nursery settings within two miles of a child's place of residence, parents may apply for an early education place with an alternative provider approved by the Cardiff Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, for example, a place at an English or Welsh-medium play group or private day car nursery.

Free part time places are for up to five sessions a week, over the three terms of the school year. Part-time places are followed by a full-time place for three terms in a reception class in the year your child turns five.'

Is it definately an LEA run nursery? Problem is that councils aren't actually obliged to provide a nursery place, just obliged to fund (through EYEG) any nursery that you choose - so that could be a private one, a voluntary parental committee one or one attached to a school. And each nursery can make up it's own admission criteria, even if it's a council run one.

Yes, that is what I was thinking when I realised it was a nursery place Pru.
Sorry Mosschops, but I think you are stuffed. I got my DS in the nursery I wanted as I registered him when he was about 6 months old. I chose my childminder partly because she does the school run there (amongst other things of course!) but I am pretty sure I am going to have to fight when it comes to getting him into the primary school.
Rather than a formal appeal/complaint letter, can you arrange to have a meeting with the head to see if there is any chance whatsoever, of your son attending that nursery, explaining your circumstances, perhaps even in the next intake? Or is there a private nursery near to your childminder?

I'm not whinging!

It is a nursery attached to the school, the school nurseries do not actually have any decision on entrants its all done by the council. I know this because a friend of mine teaches Year1 there.
I could speak to the head but she wont be able to do anything, its the councils decision.
He cant go in another intake I dont think, unless its next april which seems like a waste really.
Maybe I should give up work, live off the state and then I could take him to school, I wonder if the screwed up government would prefer that!!

so can anyone help me do a letter?

You can try schoolappeals.com. They have some useful information - I used them for my appeal (which wasn't successful BTW).

This is how it works here: If the school has sibling policy they will get priority, then those closest to the school with special consideration on social or medical grounds. If its not your nearest school you could go on the waiting list and take a chance. Places do come up, but it may not be until term has started. You could start elsewhere and make different provisions until somewhere comes up.

The trouble is they will always prioritise over you if you aren't close by. But saying that, I know people who got a call on the first day of term to be offered a place.

I'm afraid that I don't really think you will have much of a chance, sorry. I completely understand how frustrating it is.

I think that as the hours of nursery are not realisticly able to help mothers that work you could ask "under" FOI (freedom of information) how many places at the nursery are offered to working mothers and non working mothers? I doubt though whether the council actually have this information as the applications are not asked whet there employment status is....

Moss it gets difficult and then it does seem to get easier as a working mother {smile] you do have my empathy though as it is not easy trying to juggle school aged children and wor with little help or realisation of the difficulties faced.

I can help you do a letter Moss. Where do you want to start?