Mother told to look out of Thatcham for pre-school

Full time mother says she has tried the three closest centres but they are all full

A THATCHAM mother trying to get her toddler into pre-school has hit a brick wall after those that she applied to said that they were full.

Working mother Emma Smith, of Crowfield Drive, whose daughter Maisie is three in April, applied last year to send her daughter to one of three pre-schools closest to her – Thatcham Children's Centre, Pied Piper Pre-school and Playmates Pre-school.

Mrs Smith was told by all three that her daughter could not have a place until September.

She said: “My childminder does take her to drop-in centres and other activities, but I would rather her be in a school environment where she cannot cling on to someone, and can build relationships so that she is ready to go to school.”

Children born between April 1 and August 31, are entitled to 15 hours of free nursery education for 38 weeks of the year from September 1, following their third birthday until statutory school age. However, some pre-schools will take them from two if they have space available.

Thatcham Children's Centre, Lower Way, confirmed that it was not able to take on any new children until September.

Julia Payen, from the pre-school, said that because primary schools only took pupils in September, spaces would not become available until then.

She added that if extra spaces came up throughout the year, they would be made available to the oldest children on the waiting list.

She said: “Although Ofsted said that we can take two-and-a-half-year-olds, we generally don't have space for those children because we are struggling to take the three-year-olds.”

Mrs Smith said that she had spoken to West Berkshire Council and was advised to try elsewhere in the district. However, she said that because of her work commitments, which included travelling, this was not a possibility.

West Berkshire Council spokeswoman Peta Stoddart-Crompton, said: “The council does operate a single point of entry into schools, which may have an impact on pre-school places available, particularly the term before the existing children enter school in the September.

“The council has no say over how pre-schools operate their admissions, as most are run by voluntary committees and have their own admission arrangements.”

Natasha van Vliet, from the Family Resource Centre, urged families in this situation to contact her for advice and guidance.

• If you are struggling to find a place for your child, telephone Tanya Haji on (01635) 564541