Nursery school places

Nursery school places

» Early years education is provided for children aged four and under

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

» Admissions criteria for community nursery schools

» Key dates for nursery admission 2012/13

Early years education is provided for children aged four and under

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 family 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: 

1. Children In public care (those looked after by a local authority under section 22 of the Children Act 1989).
2. Children defined as being in priority need within the categories of need defined by the Children Act 1989 or as having an otherwise professionally supported exceptional education, medical or social need for a particular school (see note 1).
3. Children who have a brother or sister already in the school and who would be in that school in September 2010/January 2011 (see note 2). If there are more children with siblings in the school than places available, places will be allocated to those children with siblings who live nearest to the school in terms of walking distance (see note 3).
4. Children who live nearest to the school in terms of walking distance (see note 3).

Notes:

1. If you think your child has an exceptional educational, social or medical need for a particular school, your 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. The decision as to whether your child qualifies on medical or social grounds is made by the local authority.
2. Sibling refers to brother or sister, half brother or sister, adopted brother or sister, step brother or sister, or the child of the parent/carer’s partner where the child for whom the school place is sought is living in the same family unit at the same address as that sibling.
3. Distance will be measured by the shortest walking route, via public rights of way, from the 'seed point' (a central point) of the child’s home address (including flats) to the main entrance of the school, using the Local Authority’s computerised measuring system, with those living closer to the school receiving the higher priority.

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

Key dates for nursery admission 2012/13 

• 23 April 2012
  Final date for application forms to reach the school that you are applying for if you would like your child to start in September 2012.
• Week beginning 14 May 2012
  Schools offer places for September admission. Parents must respond by 4 June 2012.
• 24 September 2012
  Final date for application forms to reach the school that you are applying for if you would like your child to start in January 2013.
• Week beginning 17 October 2012
  Schools offer places for January admission. Parents must respond by 29 October 2012.

For more information, please see » The 'Starting School 2013-14' brochure is now available (pdf)