How we operate

The Orchard Nursery is open for 38 weeks of the year in the Nursery rooms. We also offer childcare for up to 50 weeks of the year using the additional childcare facilities in The Hub.

Parents can use their 15 funded hours in the Nursery for 38 weeks of the year. This applies to all 3-year-olds and eligible 2-year-olds.

For children who are eligible, we also offer up to 30 funded hours of nursery care. These hours can either be used over 38 weeks of the year or spread out over up to 50 weeks. If you choose to spread the hours over more weeks, your child will attend for fewer hours each week.

In total, eligible children can receive up to 1,140 funded hours per year.

Children can start at the Nursery once they are two years old.

Age of admittance

The Orchard Nursery welcomes children from the age of 2. Eligible children can access up to 15 or 30 funded hours per week. Subject to availability, additional 3-hour paid sessions can be added to complement your funded hours.

From September 2026, additional 3-hour sessions are priced as follows (subject to change following an annual review):

2-year-olds: £19.50 per session
3 & 4-year-olds: £18.00 per session

Sessions and timings: Main Nursery Day 

Early drop off at 8am is available for 2-year-olds only (3-year-olds can use the Breakfast Hub – see opposite)

Morning session: 09:00 – 12:00

Nursery lunch at 11.30am (optional at an extra charge or children can bring a packed lunch)

Afternoon session: 12:00 – 15:00

Families can request a mixture of full-day and half-day Nursery sessions to suit their needs.

From our experience, children who attend only one or two sessions a week may not get the full benefit from the learning and play opportunities we provide. We therefore strongly recommend that children use their full funded entitlement, or attend for more sessions where possible. However, we understand that this may not always be possible for every family.

We offer regular session patterns and cannot change sessions from week to week. If your family’s needs change permanently, we may be able to offer additional sessions, depending on availability.

Chargeable extras

The Orchard Nursery does not have any chargeable extras.  School meals can be purchased separately if required.

 

Sessions and timings: The Hub (3+ years)

Breakfast Hub:
Families have the option to either pay for Breakfast Hub or include it in their hours from 08:00 – 09:00.

If children attend breakfast club between 07:30 and 08:00, this incurs a charge of £1 as this cannot be included in funded hours. 

After School Hub: 
After School Hub is open between 15:00 - 18:00. This may be used as funded hours or paid for as extra.  

Our provision allows children aged 3 years and above to access complete wraparound care from 7:30am - 6:00pm if needed.  We also provide a Holiday Hub during school holidays.  This may be used as part of funded hours if families have chosen to stretch their funding.  If not, this incurs an additional cost. 

Funded hours can be used for places at The Hub, as we provide the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum for children aged 3 and over.  Places at The Hub are subject to availability and must be booked in advance.

Making an application

Parents or Carers need to complete a Nursery Application Form to indicate their interest in a Nursery place.  (Please see forms at the end of this page).  Hard copies are available from the Families' Reception at the front of the school.

Should the Nursery be over-subscribed, children will be allocated a place based on the following criteria:

• Children with an EHCP or who are CLA
• Children who have a sibling already attending Shiphay Learning Academy
• Children of members of staff who have been employed at the school for more than two years or recruited within the past two years to fill a vacancy for which there was a skills shortage.
• Distance from school

If a place is not available, all applicants will then be placed on a waiting list.  Booking in advance of your child reaching Nursery age is recommended.

All parents/carers must complete a registration form, detailing in full any health, dietary, medical, medicinal, allergic or other special needs.

Parents/carers must also complete a permissions form and a Home-School agreement. 

For further information on Nursery admissions, please contact:

Mrs Chantal Bailey on 01803 613556 or shiphayadmin@rivieraet.co.uk