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Children in Scotland / Library Service for Children / Useful links Children in Scotland
Library services for childrenIt is a parent’s responsibility to look after their children, protect them from harm, ensure that they are properly cared for, and ensure that they receive education. In Scotland, a child is anyone under the age of 16. Pre-School Children Eligible children are entitled to 475 hours of pre-school education, usually taken as 5 sessions of 2 1/2 hours for 38 weeks of the school year. The funding is paid directly to the pre-school center for your child’s registered number of sessions. There is no direct payment to parents. It should be noted that parents/carers are responsible for their children travelling to and from nursery provision. The link below gives details of birth dates when children will become eligible: Pre-school Enrolment Leaflet 2012-13 More information and a list of Playgroups, Day Nurseries and other groups can be found by using The Highland Council Childcare Information Service:
Highland Childcare Information Service School-Age Children Children in Scotland have a right to a free place in school. Parents are legally responsible for ensuring that their children are educated and usually do this by sending their children to school. Some parents choose to educate their children at home or in private schools. Children normally start school in the August when they are aged between 4 ½ and 5 ½ years, and transfer to secondary school in the August when they are aged 11 ½ to 12 ½ years. Children must continue in education until they are aged 16. The majority of young people stay on at secondary school for up to a further 2 years until they are aged 18. To enrol children at a school in the area where you live you must contact the school’s head teacher. If you wish to enrol a child outside the area where you live you should contact the Area Education Manager: Caithness ECS Office Rhind House West Banks Avenue WICK, KW1 5LZ Telephone 01955 602 362 CSER Area ECS Office, Council Offices, Drummuie, GOLSPIE, KW10 6TA Telephone 01408 635338 ( ECS Area Manager – Open Plan Office ) Ross & Cromarty Area Education Office The Education Centre Castle Street DINGWALL, IV15 9HU Telephone 01349 863441 INBS Area ECS Office Highland Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road INVERNESS, IV3 5NX Telephone 01463 702811 Skye & Lochalsh Area Education Office Elgin Hostel PORTREE Isle of Skye, IV51 9EE Telephone 01478 613697 Lochaber Area Education Office Camaghael Hostel Camaghael FORT WILLIAM, PH33 7NE Telephone 01397 707350 Help for families on a low income Families who have a very low income may be able to claim a free lunch for their child at school and some assistance with school clothing. You will find more information here. This form is available in Polish . Or your Area Education Manager will be able to tell you to where you can claim these. Help with English language Schools working with pupils who need support to develop their English language skills may be able to receive advice from the Highland Council. You can download and explanatory leaflet. Details of this Service can be found on the http://www.highland.gov.uk/learninghere/supportforlearners/specialist/englishasadditionallanguage/ Help with additional support needs Some children and young people require additional support to help them to learn in school, and if you think that your child needs additional support you should discuss this with the head teacher of your child’s school. Pupils with additional support needs have a right to full-time education and this is usually provided in the child’s local school. A few children and young people attend specialist schools so that they can get the expert help they require. Parents are fully consulted and involved in decisions about the additional support that their child needs. More information can be found on the Highland Council website at: http://www.highland.gov.uk/learninghere/supportforlearners/ Childcare If you need care for your child while you are at work there are several choices available. There are ‘Registered Childminders’, Nurseries and ‘Out of school services’ which can provide care for children outside school hours. For more information visit the Highland Childcare Information Service online or call the service on 01463 711 176. Their address is:
High Street Library services for children Pre-school children All young children receive special free Bookbug packs at six weeks old, 18 months old, three years old and in their first year at primary school, to encourage all parents and carers to enjoy books with children from as early an age as possible. Many libraries also hold Bookbug Rhyme time sessions which are fun for babies and their parents, and provide an opportunity to meet other parents in your neighbourhood. Contact your local library to find out when sessions take place near you. http://www.highland.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/libraries/yourlocallibrary/librariesmap.htm School age children Nearly all secondary schools have libraries and librarians to support the school work. Branch libraries can also provide books and information to help with school homework and projects. These services are free, and there are many other activities for children, just ask at your local library. Highland Libraries page on the Highland Council website gives you more information about accessing your library and a library registration form in Polish for under 16s Useful URLsThe Highland Council Childcare Information Service Highland Council Information on Nursery and Pre-School Scottish Childminding Association English as an additional language http://www.highland.gov.uk/learninghere/supportforlearners/specialist/englishasadditionallanguage/ Children’s’ library services http://www.highland.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/libraries/childrensservices Highland Schools Virtual Library http://highlandschools-virtualib.org.uk/ This page was last updated on 01/04/2012. |