Blanford Mere Nursery

Since September 2016, Blanford Mere has been offering a Nursery Provision for 3 and 4 year olds. We have excellent facilities both indoor and outside. We deliver a curriculum to meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, through play as far as possible, recognising that for young children, play is the central means of access to the curriculum.

The provision is Governor led, with members of staff working as part of the school team following current school policies. We are fortunate to have caring, committed and enthusiastic staff who are skilled at making young children feel welcome and settled in our nursery setting.

All children are currently entitled to funding from the term after their 3rd birthday within the dates outlined below for up to 15 hours childcare per week.

  • Children born in the period 1st April to 31st August are eligible to start Nursery in the term beginning on or following 1st September after the child's third birthday.
  • Children born in the period 1st September to 31st December are eligible to start Nursery in the term beginning on or following 1st January after the child's third birthday.
  • Children born in the period 1st January to 31st March are eligible to start Nursery in the term beginning on or following 1st April after the child's third birthday.

Allocation of places

Nursery parents apply directly to the school for a place in our nursery. At present we only take children who are three years of age and older. Priority will be given to those parents requesting the full entitlement in our setting, e.g. 5 mornings or 5 afternoons. When allocating morning places priority will be given, where possible, to children, who will enter primary school in the following academic year - i.e. the older children in the setting.  When we have more applications than places available, we cannot guarantee that a morning place will be allocated. In these circumstances, we will prioritise children who are eligible for 30 hours childcare, followed by chronological age (oldest children first). Therefore, there may be some children who are due to start Reception in the following academic year with afternoon places. Should a morning place subsequently become available, then we will offer it to the next eligible child. Initially we offer afternoon places to the children who will spend more than 3 terms in Nursery before entering primary school - i.e. the younger children in the setting. 

Please note that a place in our nursery setting does not guarantee a place in Reception class. The local authority administers Reception places - please click on the link below for Admission criteria.

 

Parents are encouraged to complete a Nursery Application Form at any point following the birth of your child/ren.

30 hour free - Child Care Entitlement

There are a limited number of free 30 hour places. Please ask at the school office for details of current availability. These extra hours are allocated on a 'first come, first served' basis. Priority is given to those parents requesting the full entitlement in our setting. (E.g. 5 mornings and 5 afternoons).

The free 30 hour offer at Blanford Mere Nursery is as follows:

  • 8.30 am - 11.30 am - morning session
  • 12.10pm - 15.10pm - afternoon session

Parents requiring 'wraparound care' at lunchtime between the morning and afternoon nursery sessions, need to be aware that there is a charge (currently £3.50 per session), for this service. Children will need to bring a packed lunch to eat on the premises and they will be fully supervised. If you prefer to take your child home between sessions then you may also do this. Lunchtimes are NOT included in our free 30 hour child care.

Afternoon Wraparound Care

If you are not entitled to the '30 hour free child care', you may still wish to pay for additional Nursery sessions. Please ask the school office for further information.

We encourage parents to come and see for themselves the provision we offer - please contact the school to arrange an appointment. Our telephone number is 01384 818365.

A School Life Website
School Life iOS Mobile Application
School Life Android Mobile Application