A to Z of services:  A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z 

Nursery school places

We offer free nursery places in most of our primary schools as well as in separate nursery schools and early years centres. We also work in partnership with voluntary groups and the private sector to provide nursery and childcare places as well as a range of other services for young children and their families.

Attending a nursery school or class gives your child a valuable introduction to school. It provides them with the opportunity to develop their skills and mix with girls and boys of their own age. The relaxed atmosphere allows children to develop at their own pace.

There are more than 30 nursery schools, nursery classes and children's centres in Hammersmith & Fulham, which admit children twice a year in September and January. You can view contact details for our nursery schools and primary schools with nursery classes, and a list of private and voluntary sector nursery schools is available from the children's information service.

When and how to apply for a place at a council nursery school or class

Children can start nursery aged three or four. Most children usually spend three or four terms at nursery before starting primary school.

To apply for a place for your child, you need to contact the nursery, school or children's centre direct to ask for an application form. Dates by which you need to apply are shown in the timetable below.

The decision as to whether your child is given a place at the nursery is made by the headteacher. For community nursery schools, there is a list of admissions criteria which the headteacher will use to decide who gets a place. Voluntary aided or church schools have their own criteria for deciding which children are offered a place and you need to speak directly to the school if you want to find out what these criteria are.

Admissions criteria for community nursery schools
If there are more applications than places, preference will be given to children in the following order: 

  • Children who have a priority need, as defined by the Children Act 1989, or have a professionally-supported exceptional educational, medical or social need for that particular nursery school, or a statement of special educational need that names the nursery school under the terms of the Education Act 1996. (see note 1)
  • Children who have a brother or sister already in the nursery or already in the primary school with a nursery class, and who would be in that school in September 2007. (see note 2) 
  • If there are more children with siblings in the school than places available, priority will be given to those children with siblings who live nearest to the school at the time of admission. (see notes 2 and 3)
  • Children who live nearest to the school at the time of admission. (see note 3)   

Notes     
1 If you think your child has an exceptional educational, social or medical need for a particular school, ask the school's headteacher or the admissions section (Tel: 020 8753 3643/3664) for advice. Any case must be supported by documented evidence from a doctor, health visitor, social worker or other medical professional, which must be submitted at the time of your original application. You will need to show why your preferred school is the only school that meets your child's social or medical need. Nearness of a childminder, previous family connection and convenience for work are not reasons to offer places on social grounds. The decision as to whether your child qualifies on medical or social grounds is made following consultation between the headteacher and the local authority. 

2 Siblings refers to all blood, half, step, adoptive and foster brothers and sisters who live at the same home address.

3 Distance is measured by the shortest walking route from the school’s main entrance via public rights of way. Journeys by car or public transport do not count.

Under present education law, there is no right of appeal if your child is unsuccessful in getting a place.

Timetable for admissions to local authority community nursery schools and for classes for 2008/09
28 April 2008 
Final date for application forms to reach the school that you are applying for ifyou would like your child to start in September 2008. 

Week beginning  19 May 2008    
Schools offer places for admission. Parents must respond by 2 June 2008.

29 September 2008 
Final date for application forms to reach the school that you are applying for if you would like your child to start in January 2009. 

Week beginning  20 October 2008  
Schools offer places for admission. Parents must respond by 3 November  2008.

To download our brochure 'Starting School 2008-09' please  click here .