An application form is completed by the parents and returned to the Nest.

Currently the majority of applications are received directly from the parents.  Parents are invited to come in, look around, meet the family workers and ask any questions they may have.

Priority is given to those families living in our local community, as well as Central, Hazelwood and Kingswood wards. For parents returning to work or are in full time training.

We also receive referrals from Social Services and the Pen Green Family Visiting Team.

All applications are considered and after allocating places to those families in the priority catchment areas, if we still have places remaining, we will offer them to families living outside the catchment area.

When we consider the allocation of a place, we ensure the setting is suitable to meet the child’s individual needs and that the child will be a minimum of one year when they start in the nest.

We accept application forms throughout the year.

If the required sessions are full, an alternative session will be offered. If this is unsuitable, the child will then be placed on the waiting list.      

Once a place has been accepted and sessions agreed, a family worker will be appointed to make contact and arrange a home visit.  After this visit, a start date will be offered.

Parents are asked to attend with the settling in period, to help the child become familiar with the staff in the Nest.  We don not charge the full fees for the settling in period.

Children attend Baby Nest until the term before their 3^rd birthday.  We will always endeavour to offer them a place in Pen Green Nursery School. However, there is no guarantee that a place in Nursery will be available for all children who have attended Baby Nest.

Priority is always given to children from our local community.  The Pen Green Nursery Admissions Policy states the priority criteria for the allocation of nursery places, if you could like to read this policy please speak to a member of the Nest team.