Choosing a Nursery:

It is advisable to visit all the nurseries in the area of your choice before you make a decision about which one to send your child to. Houston Community Nursery has an open day in March when you are welcome to bring your child along to see the nursery and some of what we can offer. This will be well advertised nearer the time and if you are on our waiting list you will receive an invite. Alternatively, you can call in or phone our nursery anytime to arrange a suitable time for you to visit.

Registration and Admissions Guidelines;

1. You can register your child from their second birthday. The length of time on the waiting list will not affect your child's priority for admission.

2. You should register your child at the nursery, which is your first choice.

3. Only one application is required indicating your 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th choice. (Duplicate applications may delay a place being allocated).

4. Take your child's birth certificate and proof of address when registering.

5. The registration form must be filled out on the premises.

6. A receipt of application must be signed and given to the parent once the application has been lodged.

Area Admissions Panels:

Area Admissions Panels meet at regular intervals throughout the year to discuss and band funded applications. They decide how nursery places will be allocated in keeping with Renfrewshire Council's admissions policy. The panels consist of all heads of local authority and partnership pre-five establishments in the designated area, a Pre-School Community Organiser and representatives of the other agencies involved in supporting children and their families e.g. Social Work Department, Health Board.

1. As far as possible the panel will try to offer you your first choice. However, this cannot always be guaranteed.

2. A leaflet explaining the banding system is available from Renfrewshire Council.

Pre-School Year:

All pre-school year applications are usually allocated at 

the beginning of May.

You will receive a letter of offer from the nursery, which your child has been allocated soon after. There will be a deadline for accepting the place.

Ante Pre-School Year:

A child must be 3 years old before a place can be offered. Therefore, ante pre-school places are allocated three times a year, before each term begins. These intakes are referred to as 'co-horts'.

Again you will receive a letter of offer with a deadline for accepting the place.

Please note: The government is proposing to fund 100% of 3-year-old places by 2002.