Nursery
The Nursery Admissions criteria are outlined in the Determined Admissions Policy, and admissions are managed and administered directly by the Governing Body. Applications to the Nursery must be made directly to Abbey Primary School and can be submitted at any time.
The Nursery has 78 places available: 39 places in the morning and 39 places in the afternoon. These places are filled by both full and part-time children.
Rising 3 Admission
Children can be admitted immediately after their third birthday. These places are subject to availability and can be offered to parents who are eligible for 2-year-old funding. For example, if your child’s date of birth falls after the school term starts (e.g., they turn three on February 2, 2025), you will need a valid 2 -year-old funding code which could mean you child will be offered a 15-hour nursery place immediately, rather than waiting for the start of the new term. Without the appropriate funding code your child will need to wait until the start of the new term, which in this case would be the April 2025 intake.
Parents can check their eligibility for funding through the Free Early Education and Childcare Entitlement for 2-Year-Olds. Please note that we can only accept Rising 3 children in our Nursery who are in receipt of an eligibility code. Only applications submitted with a valid eligibility code will be considered.
3 and 4-Year-Old Admission
All 3- and 4-year-olds are entitled to up to 15 hours of free childcare and early education per week until they enter Reception or reach school age. Funding begins the term after your child turns three.
For example, if your child turns three on February 2, 2025, and you are either not eligible for 2-year-old funding or are seeking a 30-hour placement instead of 15 hours, they can only be admitted to Nursery in the April 2025 intake.
Eligibility for 30 hours Free Childcare
Working parents may be able to claim up to 30 hours of free childcare per week for 3- and 4-year-olds starting the term after the child’s third birthday. This includes the universal 15 hours of free childcare.
Parents must check their eligibility (https://www.gov.uk/get-free-childcare-if-youre-working) and apply for a 30-hour funding code before the term starts. Any codes obtained after the term begins will only apply to the next term. If parents prefer a 30-hour provision for their child, they must submit the application form along with the completed 30-hour code validation agreement.
Preference for Sessions
Parents can specify their preferred session on the application form; however, please note that the school cannot guarantee your preference.
Over-subscription
In the event that the Nursery is over-subscribed, applications will be ranked using the same criteria as for Reception (see policy). Children not offered a place will automatically be added to the waiting list, which will be reviewed regularly.