How do you have intakes in Nursery ( school based)

[Starlight21]

Hi

School based nursery and we have from age of 3. The last few years we have taken the half term after they have had their 3rd birthday e.g. if 3 on September 30th we start them after autumn half term. I know no funding till the spring term but the school has waived this as staffing is the same as we have not gone out of ratios and birth rates have been low. Census also done Jan and September.

Our numbers are now increased to the point if and when we have anymore it could mean we are out of ratio.

As it stands would not have to submit a census in summer term but want to start new ones in summer term, like I say taking us over ratio.

How do you do the settling in? Its worked relatively well so far as only had 2 or 3 start and its been ok. Looking at numbers we could have possibly 14 starting in summer and would like I say, they would all be 3 year old ( just) and if they did start we would be out of ratio.

Any advice?

Do you mean you would be going over your FTE PAN? We have a FTE of 39 so 3 members of staff in the nursery for a 1:13 ratio plus any 1:1s. We wouldn't go over that in 1 session, but obviously have more than that on roll!

A half termly start is quite hard work, but I understand that 2-3 starters is manageable. Ours is termly, and only after funding kicks in. Those who are in during Autumn term get the first pick of sessions (if they're not full time), spring and summer admissions have to slot in but then get their choice in autumn term the next year because their children will be in for 4 or 5 terms.

Yes - come summer term we would be over the 1-13 ratio if they all started.
If parents got their preferred choice it wouldn't make much difference if we slotted where spaces as it would require additional adults in both sessions, and possibly in the lunchtime cover for the full timers.
Suppose I shall sit, look at numbers and send over to the SLT and say if they all attend we will need additional adults, and take from there.

Can they not just make the rule that they can start early but only if there are spaces? You can also point out to any disgruntled parents that actually, they may get off to a better start in September when the nursery is less full.

If the increase in numbers may be sustained, obviously there are wider questions to be answered.

We used to do this but now we don't admit early. It was too much with constant new starters. At just 3 they were usually not toilet trained and very young (never being away from parents before) and with not receiving any funding for them we were doing a hell of a lot of extra work. This year we allowed the Jan start to do one stay and play a week in the run up to Christmas which really helped them settle in. We had 8 new starters and although they are hard work they at least didn't cry for hours and we were able to talk to parents about toilet training before the Christmas break so they had time.
I was just a bit more forceful and explained the downsides to early entry. It wasn't like they'd take the kids elsewhere as we are the only school nursery in the areas and you're damn sure the private nurseries wouldn't give then 6-8 weeks of free childcare