At Barkers Lane we have Nursery Plus, Flying Start and Early Education, which operates in the Canolfan Brenda Price Centre, which is located adjacent to the school.
Pre-School is open from Mondays – Friday 9.00 – 11.30am and can take children from the age of 2 1/2 years. The school has close links and a good relationship with the Pre-School. Some of the children also join us for Nursery Plus prior to starting Nursery in school.
30 hours Childcare offer for Wales funding is available to qualifying families.
If you require further information please contact Mrs Claire Brand (Centre Manager) on 01978 346177 or the school office on 01978 357754. Information on all the settings can be found on the Wrap Around Care page.
Flying Start
Flying Start is a Welsh Government funded programme for children aged from 0 years up until their 4th birthday. Funded childcare for all 2-year-olds the term after their second birthday until the term after their third birthday.
The aim is to help children to have the best possible start in life for their future growth and development and nurturing children’s wellbeing during their early years.
Benefits
Children in Flying Start childcare provision learn through play. Flying Start offers access to a high-quality enabling environment.
The benefits of Flying Start childcare for your child at Barker’s Lane include:
- learning new skills
- growing in confidence
- exploring and following their curiosity and interests
- developing independence
- developing creativity and imagination
- learning to speak Welsh
- making friends
- having lots of fun indoors and outdoors
How is it provided?
The childcare is provided for up to 5 sessions a week, for 2 and a half hours a day over 39 weeks of the year – following school term times (from the term after their second birthday until the term after their third birthday).
Please contact Mrs Claire Brand (Centre Manager) on 01978 346177 or the school office on 01978 357754 for further information.
Funded Early Education
Do you want to give your child the best start? Choose us at Barker’s Lane School to help give your child the foundations they need.
Children who live in Wrexham could be entitled to 10 hours of Funded Early Education per week at Barker’s Lane School, dependent on when their birthday falls. Children would be entitled to two hours a day starting in the term following their third birthday.
What is Early Education?
Every child deserves the chance to shine, and funded early education helps make that possible. When your child attends early education sessions, they learn through play in line with the Curriculum for Funded Non-Maintained Nursery Settings in Wales.
Children in our early education sessions are not just playing, they’re building the foundations for confidence, curiosity, and lifelong learning.
What are the benefits of Early Education?
There are many benefits taking up a funded Early Education place at Barker’s Lane School, such as:
- Stronger communication skills – Children who attend early education develop richer vocabulary, better listening skills, and more confidence expressing themselves.
- Bilingual skills – Children are introduced to the Welsh language through songs, stories, play, and daily routines.
- Early friendships and social confidence – Learning to share, take turns, and play with others helps children feel secure and ready for school life.
- A head start with early learning – Through fun, play based activities, children explore early maths, problem solving, creativity, and the world around them.
- Support for every child – Skilled practitioners can identify speech, language, developmental, or social needs early, enabling timely support.
- A smoother transition to school – Children who attend early education settle more easily into Nursery and Reception because they’re familiar with routines, group activities, and learning through play.
Who can apply?
- Children whose 3rd birthday falls between September 1 to December 31 will be eligible for a 10-hour funded place for the Spring and Summer term, from January until July.
Applications open from September 1 and you’ll need to apply by October 23, 2026 to be offered a place starting in spring term, January 2027.
- Children whose 3rd birthday falls between January 1 to March 31 will be eligible for a 10-hour funded place for the Summer term, from Easter until July.
Applications open from November 2 and you’ll need to apply by December 18, 2026 to be offered a place starting in summer term, Easter 2027.
Nursery applications are separate
Funded early education placements will end in July, and securing a place in funded early education does not guarantee a place in the same setting for Nursery. Parents must make a separate application to be considered for a school Nursery place for the following September.
School Visits
Please come and visit our school where you can see the wonderful learning environments, get a sense of the warm school ethos we promote and have all of your questions answered. Our open days for January and April starts are:
Thursday 10th September – 9.45 – 10.15
Thursday 24th September – 4.00 – 4.30
Tuesday 6th October – 9.45 – 10.15
Tuesday 13th October – 4.00 – 4.30
Tuesday 24th November – 9.45 – 10.15
Tuesday 24th November – 4.00 – 4.30
Please email or telephone school to enquire about this.
To apply please click the link below:
https://www.wrexham.gov.uk/service/school-admissions/funded-early-education
Reminders
The admission windows for Reception in September 2027 (full time for pupils who have turned 4 by 31st August 2027) opens on 21st September 2026 and closes on 15th January 2027.
For Nursery in September 2027, the application window (for pupils who will have turned 3 by 31st August 2027) opens on 5th January 2027 and closes on 15th February 2027.
The admissions window for Funded Early Education (for children who turn 3 in the Autumn Term, by 31st December 2026) opens on 1st September 2026 and closes on 23rd October 2026. For children who turn 3 in the Spring Term, by 31st March 2027, the window opens on 2nd November 2026 and closes on 18th December 2026.