The UK government has recently announced new changes to nursery funding entitlement for parents.

Starting from April 2024, existing childcare support will be expanded in phases. By September 2025, most working families with children under the age of 5 will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support.

Further information on nursery funding and how to apply for FEEE funding can be found online:   https://eycp.essex.gov.uk/funding/ It is recommended that all parents of 2 year olds apply as soon as possible.

In order to accommodate the expected extra demand for childcare in the local area that this will create, Kelvedon Academy Nursery have made plans to extend the care it can offer children from the age of 2 years old from April 2024. Further phases of change will follow to provide exciting improvements and expansion to the childcare the Nursery can provide. Plans are also underway to also provide wraparound care for children from the age of 2 from September 2024. Further details will be realised at a later date.

Changes to class 1 from April 2024 are as follows:

-          Children will be able to join class 1 from the term after they turn 2 years old (rather than the start of the academic year after they are 3 years old.)

-          Facilities in the nursery environment are being added to and improved. This includes a calm quiet area for young children if they require a nap, improved changing facilities, and changes to the entrance area. It is intended that further phases of improvement and expansion will continue.

-          Class 1’s day will increase from 9am to 12 noon, to 9am to 3pm sessions. All new pupils that join class 1 in April and after will be offered only full day sessions, rather than morning or afternoons. 

-          Pupils staying for full day sessions will need to bring a packed lunch. Kelvedon Academy are looking into the possibility of the option of a school meal for nursery pupils in the future and will update parents on this in due course.

Class N1 is for children from the term after they turn 2 years old, until a move to class N2 in the September (Autumn term) after they turn 3 years old. 

Kelvedon Primary Academy Nursery will admit applicants to its Nursery Class 1 from the start of the term after the child turns two years of age.

Date of birth range; 01/09/2021 - 31/03/2022 Start date for class 1; Summer term (April 2024) 

Date of birth range; 01/04/2022 - 31/08/2022 Start date for class 1; Autumn term (September 2024)

Date of birth range; 01/09/2022 - 31/12/2022 Start date for class 1; Spring term (January 2025)

Date of birth range; 01/01/2023 - 31/03/2023 Start date for class 1; Summer term (April 2025)

Date of birth range; 01/04/2023 - 31/08/2023 Start date for class 1; Autumn term (September 2025)

Date of birth range; 01/09/2023 - 31/12/2023 Start date for class 1; Spring term (January 2026)

From April 2024, class 1 sessions run during week day mornings (school term time) from 9am - 3pm (6 hours). Sessions are agreed and paid for termly in full and in advance. The rate per session for children aged 2 years old is £50.00. From the start of the term after a child turns 3 years old it is £35.00 per session. (Sessions cannot be split.)

Some parents/carers are entitled to funding from Essex County Council. This funding would be paid directly to the academy on a termly basis if you are entitled. If so, each term Kelvedon Academy will then ask you to sign a parent/carer agreement form. Alternatively fees are payable by parents a term in advance on ParentPay.

Please note that sessions for Class 1 and Class 2 differ. A separate application form is required for each class. A placement in Class 1 doesn't automatically lead to a place in Class 2.

KSM Nursery Terms and Conditions

class 1 application form (print version) 

class 1 application form (electronic version)

Information about nursery funding can be found  within a lower tab (Nursery Funding Guidance) and via the following link: https://eycp.essex.gov.uk/funding/ 

Class groupings are based on the cohort age of the children. ie; grouped with the same age children that they would be with when they start at a primary school. 

Kelvedon Primary Academy Nursery will admit applicants to its Nursery Class 2 from the September after the child turns three years of age.

DOB range; 01/09/2020 - 31/08/2021 Start date for class 2; September 2024 (2024/25)

DOB range; 01/09/2021 - 31/08/2022 Start date for class 2; September 2025 (2025/26)

DOB range; 01/09/2022 - 31/08/2023 Start date for class 2; September 2026 (2026/27)

DOB range; 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2024 Start date for class 2; September 2027 (2027/28)

All three and four year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free early years funding from Essex County Council (from the term after they turn 3 years old) until they either go into reception class or reach compulsory school age (the term following their 5th birthday.)  Some parents/carers are entitled to funding from Essex County Council. This funding would be paid directly to the academy on a termly basis if you are entitled. If so, each term Kelvedon Academy will then ask you to sign a parent/carer agreement form. Alternatively, pre agreed fees are payable by parents a term in advance on ParentPay.

Kelvedon Academy Nursery offers 15 hour placements on with of the following options: (Unfortunately we are unable to split these options or arrange the 15 hours over alternative days.)

OPTION 1: Mon 9am-3pm; Tues 9am-3pm; Wed 9am-12pm; = (15 hours) (during term time) £87.50 per week

OPTION 2: Wed 12pm-3pm; Thur 9am-3pm; Fri 9am-3pm; = (15 hours) (during term time) £87.50 per week

OPTION 3: All of the above (Option 1 + Option 2) = (30 hours) (during term time) £175.00 per week

(New fee rates from applicable from April 2024)

* Parents/Carers wishing to pay a top up to 30 hours can apply for both options if places are available. 

Please note that sessions for Class 1 and Class 2 differ. A separate application form is required for each class. A placement in Class 1 doesn't automatically lead to a place in Class 2.

KSM Nursery Terms and Conditions

class 2 application form (to print)

class 2 application form (to email)

Information about nursery funding can be found via the following link: https://eycp.essex.gov.uk/funding/ 

Click here for guidance on completing the new Funding Parent Agreement form

24/25 financial year ECC NURSERY FUNDING FORM (KSM)

The UK government has recently announced new changes to Nursery funding entitlement for parents.

Starting from April 2024, existing childcare support will be expanded in phases. By September 2025, most working families with children under the age of 5 will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support.

Further information on Nursery funding and how to apply for FEEE funding can be found below and online: https://eycp.essex.gov.uk/funding/ 

Information supplied by The Department for Education Entitlements Team; January 2024)

How to claim 15 hours free childcare including where to get your code 

Applications are now open for eligible working parents of 2-year-olds to receive 15 hours free childcare, starting from April 2024. 

It’s the first step in our promise to expand the 30 hours free childcare scheme for working parents from when their child turns nine months until they start school. We’re making the biggest investment by a UK government into childcare in history, doubling the amount we expect to spend over the next few years from around £4 billion to around £8 billion each year. 

How do I apply? 

You need to meet our eligibility criteria before you can claim 15 hours free childcare. 

You apply online here on Gov.uk. 

You’ll need to make sure you have the following information to hand before starting the application: • your national insurance number (or unique taxpayer reference if you are self-employed) 

• the date you started or are due to start work 

• details of any government support or benefits you receive 

• the UK birth certificate reference number (if you have one) for your child. 

You may find out if you’re eligible straight away, but it can take up to 7 days. Once your application has been approved, you’ll get a code for free childcare to give to your childcare provider. Applications are open from now until 31 March. If you miss the deadline, or don’t receive your code by 31 March, you won’t be able to start using the new entitlements from 1 April. 

What if I’m already registered for Tax Free Childcare? 

Parents must reconfirm that they are still eligible for Tax-Free Childcare every 3 months. 

As applications are now open for the new free hours entitlement, when eligible parents reconfirm they will receive a code which will also enable them to access the new offer. To provide reassurance to parents with reconfirmation windows in late February and March, we’re taking additional steps to ensure every parent is able to give their code to their provider in good time. 

If your reconfirmation window opens on or after the 15 February, HMRC will send you a letter with a temporary code before this date. The letter will also explain how to use your code to claim your free place in April. Where possible, please wait for your letter to arrive. You don’t need to contact HMRC. Before your letter arrives, you can speak to your provider and use your eligibility for Tax-Free Childcare to demonstrate your eligibility for the new free hours entitlement, as the eligibility criteria are the same. You can do this by showing your provider: 

• Proof of your Tax-Free Childcare eligibility (this can be a screenshot from your childcare account, or simply showing your account to your provider) 

• When your reconfirmation window is (you can get this from your childcare account) 

• Your National Insurance number, and 

• Proof of your child’s date of birth, for example your child’s birth certificate, to show they turn 2 on or before 31 March 2024. 

However, you must wait for your code (either via letter or through your regular childcare account) to formally confirm your free place. 

Do I need to wait for my reconfirmation window to add another child to my account? 

A parent who is already using the childcare service for another child can add a new child to their account at any time. Your reconfirmation cycle for your current Tax-Free Childcare will not affect this. 

What happens once I receive my code? 

You’ll need to take the code to your childcare provider, along with your National Insurance Number and your child’s date of birth. Your childcare provider will process the code to provide your free place. Your local authority can provide support for finding a free place in your area. 

If I receive a code in a letter from HMRC, does this make my code on my childcare account invalid? 

We’re taking these additional steps as a small number of childcare providers are operating earlier deadlines to process codes. If you are aware of your childcare provider’s deadline, and your reconfirmation window opens before this deadline, you can continue to use the code accessed via your childcare account, even if you have received a letter with an alternative code. Both codes will be valid. 

Do I still need to reconfirm if my window opens on or after 15 February?

If your reconfirmation window opens on or after 15 February, you will receive a letter with a temporary code which can be used straight away to claim your free place. However, once your reconfirmation window opens, you will still need to reconfirm via your Childcare Account and share this digital code with your provider. This is because you will need to continue to reconfirm via your Childcare Account to ensure your eligibility doesn’t lapse. 

What happens if I lose the letter with my code? 

Your letter from HMRC should arrive by 15 February. If you haven’t received a letter by 15 February, or if you lose the letter including your code after it has arrived, you should contact HMRC. 

Please wait for your letter to arrive before contacting HMRC. 

My child turns 2 after 1 April. Why aren’t I entitled to free childcare? 

You can only apply for the first phase of the new working parent entitlement if your child is already 2-years-old or will have had their 2nd birthday on or before 31 March 2024. 

Children who are born on or after 1 April will become eligible later in the year: 

Your child’s birthday    When they can get their hours from 

1 January to 31 March 2024 Term starting on or after 1 April 

1 April to 31 August 2024 Term starting on or after 1 September 

1 September to 31 December 2024 Term starting on or after 1 January 

Parents are only able to claim the entitlements from the term after because this gives local authorities and childcare providers enough time to prepare. 

How are you making sure there will be enough childcare places for eligible parents? 

To make sure there are enough places available, we’re investing over £400 million in 2024-25 to increase the hourly rates paid to local authorities. 

For 2024-25, national average hourly rates paid by the government will be £11.22 for children under 2-years-olds, £8.28 for two-year-olds, and £5.88 for three- and four-year-olds. 

Start-up grants will also be available for new or returning childminders who have: 

• completed their registration on or after 15 March 2023;

• [for returning childminders] registered at least 12 months after the cancellation of a previous registration. Childminders will receive grants of: • £600 for those who choose to register with Ofsted. 

• £1,200 for those who choose to register with a childminder agency. 

Frequently Asked Questions for parents 

1. How do I know if I’m eligible? 

You need to meet our eligibility criteria before you can claim 15 hours free childcare. 

Working parents in England who each earn more than £8,670 - equivalent to at least £167 per week or 16 hours at the National Minimum Wage - but less than £100,000 adjusted net income per year, will be eligible. 

Eligibility is calculated on an individual basis rather than by household. This means if you have a partner, you must both individually earn between these two amounts. 

If you, or your partner, are on maternity, paternity, or adoption leave, or one of you is unable to work because you are disabled or have caring responsibilities, you could still be eligible. 

You (and your partner if you have one) must have a national insurance number, and at least one parent (the one who is making the application) must have at least one of the following: 

• British or Irish citizenship 

• settled or pre-settled status, or you have applied and you’re waiting for a decision. 

• permission to access public funds - your UK residence card will tell you if you can’t do this. 

Parents already receiving some additional forms of government support, such as Universal Credit, working tax credits or child tax credits, can also receive 15 hours of fully funded early education, including childcare, for 2-year-olds, separate from the new entitlement for working parents. 

2. How do I apply? 

You apply online here on Gov.uk. 

You’ll need to make sure you have the following information to hand before starting the application: 

• your national insurance number (or unique taxpayer reference if you are self employed) • the date you started or are due to start work • details of any government support or benefits you receive 

• the UK birth certificate reference number (if you have one) for your child. You may find out if you’re eligible straight away, but it can take up to 7 days. Once your application has been approved, you’ll get a code for free childcare to give to your childcare provider. Parents will be asked to reconfirm that they are still eligible for the support every 3 months and will be reissued their code. 

3. What happens if I’m already registered for Tax-Free Childcare and my reconfirmation window doesn’t open until late February or March? 

If you already have a Tax-Free Childcare account for your 2-year-old you will be given your free childcare code when you next reconfirm eligibility for that scheme. 

Applications are open from now until 31 March. If you miss the deadline, or don’t receive your code by 31 March, you won’t be able to start using the new entitlements from 1 April. 

We are aware that some parents with a late February / early March confirmation window may be anxious about confirming a place in time. For those parents whose reconfirmation window opens on or after the 15th February and who wish to give their provider a code earlier, we are setting out the following steps: 

1. HMRC will send out letters before the middle of February with a valid temporary code which you can use to confirm your child’s place with their provider for April (with hours funded by the entitlement). 

2. After this you will still need to reconfirm your eligibility through your online childcare account in the usual way when your reconfirmation window opens. 

3. You will then receive a new digital code via your childcare account that you can then use for as long as you stay eligible and reconfirm when prompted to. You will need to provide this to your childcare provider, though you will not need to wait for this digital code to confirm your free place (the temporary code can be used for this). 

The next steps will be set out clearly in the letter you will receive. You should not contact HMRC before you’ve received your letter as they won’t be able to provide you with a code. 

4. Why is the limit per parent? Wouldn’t per household make more sense? 

The income eligibility criteria are applied on a per parent basis as tax is calculated on an individual basis rather than a household basis. Working parents who individually earn more than £8,670 (equivalent to at least £167 per week or 16 hours at the National Minimum Wage) but less than £100,000 adjusted net income per year, will be eligible. 

5. I’m a student. Why can I not access the entitlements? 

Students who work in addition to studying are eligible if you meet the income requirements. Students who do not work are not eligible, but we recognise the value of parents continuing in education and provide a range of support for those in further or higher education. 

6. Am I eligible if I’m on maternity leave? 

If your partner works and meets the eligibility criteria, and you are on maternity leave, paternity leave, or adoption leave, you may still be eligible. Please see this article for more information. 

7. Why are parents who earn more than £100k not eligible for the entitlements? 

The £100,000 adjusted net income level was chosen to correspond with income tax thresholds. The universal 15 hours of free childcare offer remains in place for all parents of 3- and 4-year-olds, regardless of parental circumstances, including those who earn over £100,000. 

8. I’m on Universal Credit (UC). Will applying for 15 hours make me lose my UC? 

You can apply for the 15 hours, and this will not affect your UC. (If 30 hours is mentioned, then the answer changes to the following): If you are taking up more than 15 hours, you can claim UC childcare which can support you with up to 85% of the cost of the remaining hours. 

9. I haven’t received a letter from HMRC on what to do yet. 

Letters will only be sent to parents who are already registered for Tax-Free Childcare and whose reconfirmation windows opens on or after 15th February and before 1 April 2024. Page 8 of 11 Please make sure that all your contact details on your childcare account are up to date, so that we can contact you if we need to about your childcare. HMRC are working to send letters to you before the middle of February. Before your letter arrives, you can speak to your provider and show them that you are eligible for Tax-Free Childcare and ask them to reserve a place for you. 

That is because the eligibility criteria for Tax-Free Childcare and the new free hours are the same. You can do this by showing your provider: 

• Proof of your Tax-Free Childcare eligibility (this can be a screenshot from your childcare account, or simply showing your account to your provider) 

• When your reconfirmation window is (you can get this from your childcare account) 

• Your National Insurance number, and 

• Proof of your child’s date of birth, for example your child’s birth certificate, to show they turn 2 on or before 31 March 2024. 

However, you must wait for your code in order to confirm your free place. 

10.What happens once I receive my code? 

You’ll need to take the code to your childcare provider, along with your National Insurance Number and your child’s date of birth. Your childcare provider will check the code and then allocate your child a place if available. We recommend parents speak with their chosen provider about when they will be able to offer them a place. If your chosen provider doesn’t have a place available, we advise that you explore other providers in your local area. Your local authority can provide support for finding a free place in your area. 

11.My child turns two after 1 April. Why aren’t I entitled to free childcare? 

You can only apply for the first phase of the new working parent entitlement for 2-year-olds if your child is already 2 years old or will have had their 2nd birthday on or before 31 March 2024. 

This is because children become eligible for a free childcare place at different points in the year, depending on when they were born. They may have to wait until the next academic term before they are eligible. 

Your child’s birthday When they can get their hours from 

1 January to 31 March 2024 Term starting on or after 1 April 2024 

1 April to 31 August 2024 Term starting on or after 1 September 2024 

1 September to 31 December 2024 Term starting on or after 1 January 2025 

Parents are only able to claim the entitlements from the term after their child’s birthday because this gives local authorities and childcare providers enough time to prepare. 

12.How will I know when to reconfirm my eligibility? 

You will receive a reminder: 

• when your reconfirmation window opens 

• a week before your reconfirmation deadline 

• on your reconfirmation deadline. You will not be able to reconfirm your eligibility before your reconfirmation window begins. 

13.My reconfirmation window isn’t until the second half of February or March. Is this too late to secure a childcare place? 

If you are already claiming Tax-Free Childcare and your reconfirmation window doesn’t open before the 15th February, and you do not yet have a code for this reason, HMRC will send you a letter before the 15th of February with a valid temporary code. 

This code can be used to confirm your place with a provider for April, but after this you will still need to reconfirm through your online childcare account in the usual way when your reconfirmation window opens. The next steps will be set out clearly in the letter you will receive. 

You should not contact HMRC before you receive your letter as they will be unable to provide you with a code. 

If you haven’t received a letter by the 15th February, or if you lose the letter including your code, you will be able to contact HMRC who will be able to remind you of your code. 

Where possible, please wait for your letter to arrive and refrain from contacting HMRC before this time. 

Before your letter arrives, you have the option to speak to your provider, explain that you are waiting for your HMRC letter, and ask if they can reserve a place for you. 

You can show that you are eligible for Tax-Free Childcare if your provider asks for proof of eligibility. This is evidence that you are eligible for the new working parents entitlements as these forms of support have the same eligibility criteria. You can show them: 

• Proof of your Tax-Free Childcare eligibility (this can be a screenshot from your childcare account, or showing them your account on your phone) 

• When your reconfirmation window is (you can get this from your childcare account) 

• Your National Insurance number, and 

• Proof of your child’s date of birth, for example your child’s birth certificate, to show that your child turns 2 on or before 31 March 2024. 

You will need to show your provider the code that you will receive in your letter from HMRC. You must do this to formally secure your place. If you do not give your provider a code, you won’t be able to take up a funded place. 

We also know that some providers are able to amend invoices if they have issued them before a parent has received their code, so we recommend you speak to your provider if you are in this situation. 

14.How do I reconfirm? 

To confirm your details are up to date and that you remain eligible for Tax-Free Childcare and/or the childcare entitlements, you will need to log into your childcare account every 3 months. 

In most cases reconfirmation should only take a few minutes. 

You need to log into your childcare account using your Government Gateway ID to reconfirm: Sign in to your childcare account – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). 

The dates between which you should reconfirm will be displayed when you log in. 

Even if you have received a letter from HMRC with a temporary code (for those with reconfirmation windows that open on or after the 15th February 2024), then you still need to reconfirm through your childcare account when your reconfirmation window opens and given this digital code to your provider. You do not need to wait until this point to confirm your place with your provider, which you can do with the temporary code. 

15.Do I need to apply for new entitlements if I already claim Tax-Free Childcare or 30 hours for my older child? 

If you get Tax-Free Childcare or 30 hours for another child (i.e. not your 2-year-old) then you will need to add your 2-year-old to the account and apply for the new entitlement. 

16. Do I need to wait for my reconfirmation window to add another child to my account? 

A parent who is already using the childcare service for another child can add a new child to their account at any time. Your reconfirmation cycle for your current Tax-Free Childcare will not affect this. 

17.What happens if I miss the reconfirmation deadline? 

Your eligibility for Tax-Free Childcare and/or your childcare entitlements will lapse if you miss the reconfirmation deadline. If you do miss it, and your child is attending a childcare provider, a grace period for your free childcare will apply. This means your child can continue in their place for the time being, but you need to submit another application as soon as you can to keep getting Tax-Free Childcare and/or the childcare entitlements. 

You can submit such an application any time you meet the eligibility criteria for childcare entitlements or Tax-Free Childcare. 

You must then present your code to your provider to confirm your place can continue. 

18.Can we get a rebate (if you’re not eligible but would have been if it had been rolled out earlier)? 

This is not something we are able to offer, as you would have received the support that was available to you at that time. However, if you are eligible but were unable to take up a free place due to a technical issue, you may be eligible for compensation. 

To ensure your child has everything they need at nursery, we ask all parents to supply a clearly named bag for nursery containing the following :

Water Bottle: Please provide a named water bottle each session for your child to have access to at all times. (We do have a water jug available but a child’s own bottle does encourage them to drink more) We also provide milk or water at snack times and lunch time as well. Please encourage your child to drink water rather than squash where possible. 

Weather appropriate clothing: 

A waterproof coat 

Wellington boots (These can stay at nursery or brought to each session) 

Warm hat and gloves in winter and Summer hat in Summer 

Dress for Mess! Our children have lots of sensory play activities and creative activities to join in with – please dress your child for mess so that they can enjoy these activities to the fullest. We do provide aprons but children can be in the sensory/messy areas without an apron and are likely to get splashes and dabs on their clothes. Dressing for mess allows children to fully explore. As they get older we do encourage self-care and independence. 

Spare clothes: At least 2 tops and 3 pairs of underwear, socks and bottoms if your child is toilet training. It is useful for all children to bring a spare set of clothes in case of getting wet/muddy etc and needing changed. 

Nappies/Pull-ups, Wipes and Cream: A supply of nappies/pull ups is essential and you may bring your own wipes/cotton wool if a particular brand is preferred. If you wish for nappy cream to be applied please provide a named pot/tube that can be kept at nursery or in your child’s bag. 

Sun cream: In the summer we ask for all children to arrive to nursery with sun cream already applied and if they are staying for a full day session we ask for a named bottle to stay at nursery to allow it to be reapplied in the afternoon. 

Please try to keep other personal items at home. Our classrooms are filled with fun and exciting activities and we don’t want personal, precious toys or items to be lost or broken. (Kelvedon Academy cannot be held responsible for any personal items that are lost or damaged.) 

(Each child will have their own peg to store personal items) 

Lunchtime 

Each child attending an all-day or afternoon sessions will require a healthy packed lunch. It is advisable that any item within your child’s lunchbox should not pose a choking hazard, e.g. grapes and cherry tomatoes should be cut in half. Children sit at a table and eat together to develop their social skills and use cutlery to develop their motor skills. Each group of children is supported by a member of the nursery staff. The whole school has “family style dining” as research shows there are developmental benefits to children of all ages of this style of eating. Children with a range of allergies are catered for. If your child has allergies or other dietary needs parents will be offered the opportunity to meet with the nursery team to discuss these in detail. 

Snacks 

A selection of fruit or healthy snacks are served. Please be aware that Kelvedon Academy is a 'nut free' school, children do not need to bring snacks so please do not send any snacks or put food in your child's bag. 

Uniform 

Kelvedon Academy uniform is optional for children that attend Kelvedon Academy Nursery. (Details can be found on the school’s website.) 

Jewellery 

Watches, small stud earrings or religious items required by the child’s faith may be worn. No other items of jewellery are allowed. 

Personal hygiene 

As children grow and develop they become increasingly independent and confident in everyday tasks such as toileting and hand washing. If your child will be joining us in nursery please encourage and nurture this independence by offering them encouragement and showing them what to do. If your child is experiencing toileting issues please ensure that you let us know as we can offer you some helpful tips and ideas to help you. 

The NHS website offers advice: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/babys-development/potty-training-and-bedwetting/how-to-potty-train/

Medication 

We are only able to dispense prescribed medication (not anything bought ‘over the counter'.) We are unable to administer eye or ear drops. We therefore ask for your cooperation in only requesting our assistance if you are unable to administer the medication yourself, or if it is vital to be given during the school day. Kelvedon Academy Nursery cannot undertake to administer medicines unless a signed and completed consent form (obtained from the nursery class teacher or school office) is received from the parents along with the medication and a spoon. This should be left with the nursery class teacher and they will administer the dose. The bottle will need to be collected at the end of the nursery day. 

Illness 

Kelvedon Academy does not have any medical facilities and parents are therefore requested not to send children to nursery if they are unwell, have a high temperature or have not fully recovered from an illness. In the event of a child being taken ill whilst at nursery, the parent or carer will be contacted and asked to collect the child from nursery as soon as possible. A child should not return to nursery following sickness or diarrhoea until at least 48 hours have passed since the last incidence. If your child has a rash your local pharmacist may be able to help diagnose it and recommend any treatment. Further guidance on other childhood illnesses can be found on the NHS website:  https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school/

Absence 

If your child is going to absent or late for an agreed session, please contact the school by phone (01376 570411) or email (nursery@kelvedonacademy.com) before 9am on each day. If the school has not been contacted then we will telephone the parent/carer to find out the reason for absence. 

Communication 

If you would like to speak with your child’s class teacher or keyworker, you are welcome to chat with them briefly when dropping off or collecting your child. If you need a more in depth chat, please complete the contact form on the Contact page of this website. phone the school office on 01376 570411 or email by clicking here, and an appointment can be made. 

ParentPay 

On joining the nursery you will be sent a login for a ParentPay account. This online platform is used to send you texts and emails, as well as making payments and giving consent for trips etc. Please activate your account and keep contact details up to date so that you do not miss any important messages from the school. Website www.kelvedonacademy.com Information on all aspects of the school and nursery can be found on the school’s website, including term dates, policies, etc. The website is updated regularly. 

Blogs 

As well as allowing you to keep up to date with what the children have been learning from day to day, the blogs are also used to share information with parents. It is advisable to subscribe to the Nursery Blog and check it regularly for messages from the class teacher or Head of School. 

Newsletter 

Kelvedon Academy send out a weekly newsletter to all parents via ParentPay email. It is also posted on the website too. Please make sure that you read this each week so that your child doesn’t miss out on any activities or events. 

Safeguarding 

Please contact these staff members (01376 570411) with any safeguarding concerns during school hours: 

Mr S Taylor (Head of School) (Designated Safeguard Lead) 

Mrs L Osborne (Executive Headteacher) (Deputy Designated Safeguard Lead) 

Mr C Joy (SENDCO) (Deputy Designated Safeguard Lead) 

If you would like to talk through a safeguarding concern out of school hours, please contact the Essex Children and Families Hub on 0345 6037627. Essex Police have set up a hotline number 01245 452058, Please contact this number if you have any concerns related to the criminal or sexual exploitation of a child.