At Tadpole Farm we aim..

• To ensure access and entitlement to high quality, child-centred nursery education
• To provide high quality, child-centred nursery education to children and families in our local community. 
• To support children to flourish into independent and engaged learners in their own individual way
• To work with parents to ensure their child has a happy and enjoyable start to their educational journey

Admission & application process

All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours provision in an early Years setting, for 38 weeks a year. Some families are entitled to 30 hours of provision. To find out if you are legible follow this link.  www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Swindon Borough Council is not the admissions authority for nursery spaces.

Children will be admitted to Tadpole Farm CE Primary Academy the term after their 3rd birthday. If there are spaces, our nursery will offer a main intake in September, subject to availability of sessions will offer an intake  the January or April. Parents will be notified in advance of these term if there are or are not spaces available.

Tadpole Farm CE Academy has an admission number of 26 places in Hedgehog class. Parents/carers can choose to book either 15 hours, either 5 x mornings or 5 x afternoons, or a 30 hours full time space if available and/or eligible. We cannot offer mixed sessions. 

Schools will support parents with advice regarding their free entitlement (15 or 30 hours) and any costs incurred over and above their entitlement. 

If parents wish to apply for a space for their child, they are welcome to visit our nursery so that they can make sure it is the best setting for their child. To arrange a tour please contact the school office on 01793 729740. We also run group tours at the start of the academic year. 

Parents/carers requiring a place need to fill in an application form available on the school website.  

In-Year Admissions

From time to time a place becomes available in the Nursery.  The allocation of places is in accordance with the admissions criteria (see below)

Criteria for admission to the school nursery

1. Looked After Children, Previously Looked After Children and Internationally Adopted Looked After Children (LAC, PLAC and IAPLAC) 
2. CHildren with a particular education/an or social or medical need as referred by a professional

2. Siblings of pupils attending at time of application or those children who have an older sibling attending Tadpole in September of the year of there admission.

3. Distance from school  

4. If any places still remain, they will be allocated to other children 

If the nursery is full, children will be entered onto our waiting list. If a place becomes available, parents/carers will be contacted. 

Please note: Due to government legislation, admission to the school nursery does not mean that the child will be guaranteed a place in Reception at the school nor does it give priority.

Appeals Procedure

There is no statutory right of appeal against a decision with regard to admission to our nursery. Parents wishing to object a decision should put their concerns to the headteacher in the first instance 

Leave request in term time

Holidays in term-time should be discouraged. All parents/carers should fill in a leave of absence form. Leave of absence longer than 4 weeks will not be permitted and the local authority will only fund a place for a maximum of 4 weeks, then the funding will cease and a child may lose their place. 

Leavers during the school year

If a parent wishes to withdraw their children, they must give 4 weeks notice.If parents/carers wish to reapply for a place to the nursery then they must reapply and their application will be considered according to the criteria along with all other applications. 

Application deadline dates: