Decision details

Lower age limit from age 4 to age 3 by the addition of early years provision. Decision required to proceed following publication of a statutory notice as outlined in Department for Education guidance. Statutory notice to be published on 27th May 2010 with representation period ending on 7th July. Single member decision then required after the closing of the representation period.

The Cabinet Member agrees that:

The lower age limit at Castle Primary school should be altered from

age 4 to age 3 by the addition of Early Years provision to commence

on 1st September 2010.

In order to run the Early Years facility which will accept children from the term following their third birthday, the school will need to change its designated age from 4 to 11 to 3 to 11.  The school has already established good links with the local Children’s Centre in Keynsham and with representatives from other local agencies and the school intends to continue to develop these links further through the new Early Years provision. The Children’s Centre will also use the Early Years facility for delivery of local services for young children and their families in the area. The school also hope to host other community events in the future.

The Governing Body at Castle Primary school and the Local Authority believe that this proposal offers a positive opportunity for the local community and for families with young children in the Keynsham area.  The statutory consultation on the proposal received six responses, five of which were in support of the proposal and the sixth could see the benefits of the proposal with some concerns over possible traffic issues. As demand for Early Years provision is particularly high for families living within “pram pushing” distance of the school who do not have access to transport, it is not anticipated that the new provision on the school site will generate significant additional traffic movements.

No further responses were received during the six week representation period following publication of the statutory notice.

The Early Years provision on the school site could be run by an independent provider other than the school. If an alternative provider needed to be identified to run the provision, this would delay the provision being able to commence on 1st September 2010. Some parents/carers already have children on the waiting list for a place and there is an expectation that the provision will be available from the beginning of the new term in September.