Applying for nursery school

All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours a week of free childcare and early education.  

To apply, contact the school directly and arrange a visit.  
 
During the visit, you can:  

• learn about the nursery’s rules and education style
• talk to the staff
• read information booklets
• get details on how the application works 

Nursery admission is decided by the school governors. Headteachers consider these main points when giving out full-time and part-time places:  

A. Individual needs  

Children are more likely to get a place if: 

• they have special educational needs (SEN)
• they’re in public care
• they or their parent/carer have a health issue that affects mobility, and this is the nearest school 

B. Siblings at the School:

It helps if the child has a brother or sister already at the same school or a nearby school without a nursery. 

C. How Close You Live:

The closer your home (or childminder’s place) is to the nursery, the better your chances. 

D. Links to the School:

If your family already has a connection to the school or nearby schools, this may also be considered. 

Voluntary Aided Schools (like faith schools):

They manage their own admissions. You’ll need to check their specific rules. 

We regularly increase the number of nursery places, but not every child is guaranteed a place. 

If you miss out, there are other childcare providers where your child can still get free early education. 

There’s no formal appeal if your child doesn’t get a part-time place.  

However, you can make a complaint, and the school must respond according to its complaints policy.