East Lothian’s nursery admissions timetable is to change from academic session 2020/21.
Removing the full October intake will help our early years’ teams to better support these very young children to make the move to one of our nursery settings
The move will provide a positive transition experience for children and bring the council’s approach into line with most other local authorities.
East Lothian Council is one of only two authority areas in Scotland to offer four nursery intakes per year – August, October, January and Easter. From August 2020, an October intake will no longer be available. Instead, the Council will move to three intakes per year which will include a rolling intake for children who will be three in September who will start nursery immediately after their birthday.
Children who have their third birthday from October onwards will start nursery in January. There will be no change to children who have their third birthday from January who will start nursery after Easter. Early admissions will still be provided for vulnerable children or where there is an essential need.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Group Leaders held yesterday (26 May) under Covid-19 emergency recess procedures.
"Positive transition"
Cabinet member for Education Councillor Shamin Akhtar said: “Removing the full October intake will help our early years’ teams to better support these very young children to make the move to one of our nursery settings. Children starting nursery in August will have an equitable amount of time to settle in with staff before new children join them. In the current climate, this will be critical in supporting children if and when there is a lifting of lockdown.
“There will also be a rolling entry programme for children who turn three in September and will allow the setting to grow gradually throughout that month.
“Our teams work hard to make the transition to nursery positive for every child and will continue to do so under these new arrangements.”