Nursery deadline is moved forward

The Western Education and Library Board (WELB) have explained that the deadline for pre-school places for 2011/2012 is a week earlier than in previous years with parents/guardians applications due in Pre-School Providers by noon on Wednesday, January 12.

A spokesperson for WELB explained that the change has been introduced to allow extra time for providers to secure places for children in their final pre-school year ahead of younger children.

The spokesperson said: "The deadline has been brought forward a week and places will be held for the priority age group – that is those children born on or between 2 July 2007 and 1 July 2008."

Application forms received by providers after the closing date as stated above will still be considered but the chances of getting a place will be greatly reduced. It is important that parents/guardians list as many choices on the application form as possible as children will not necessarily get a place in their first choice school, playgroup or day nursery. Parents/Guardians should note that only one application form should be completed with all settings in preferred order. The forms can be obtained from the Pre-School Education Provider and should be returned to the parents/guardians first choice.

In Nursery Schools, Nursery Units and Community Nurseries there are full day or part-time (morning or afternoon) sessions. Funded Pre-School places in the Voluntary and Private Sector are part-time, normally five sessions per week each lasting two and a half hours per day during the school year. Application forms and information booklets are available from all Pre-School Providers and www.welbni.org. The final deadline for admission to P1 for children whose fourth birthday falls on or before July 1 is noon on January 19, 2011.