Prendergast Vale School

Admissions into Nursery

Prendergast Vale School welcomes children to join our small, friendly nursery from the term before their third birthday (for eligible 2-year-olds) or from the term after their third birthday.

We have one main point of entry each year in September, but we also accept applications for children who become eligible in the Spring (January) and Summer (April) terms. Where places are available, children may be admitted throughout the year in line with our published oversubscription criteria (please see our Nursery Admissions Policy below for further details).

Important notice (May 2026):
The arrangements relating to rising-three nursery provision (eligible two-year-olds in the term immediately preceding their third birthday) from September 2026 are currently subject to consultation and final Department for Education approval processes. No offers for rising-three places will be made unless and until these processes are complete. Existing nursery arrangements for children aged 3–4 remain unchanged.

2-year-old places

Subject to final approval, from September 2026 the school is proposing to offer a limited number of places (maximum of five) for rising threes — children who are aged two and will turn three during the following term.

These places are available only to children whose parents are eligible for either a 15-hour or 30-hour funded early education entitlement, in line with government criteria. Admission is from the start of the funding period prior to the child’s third birthday (September, January or April).

Funded entitlements

  • Eligible 2-year-olds (rising threes) may access 15 hours or 30 hours of funded early education per week where criteria are met (term time only, from the term before their third birthday).
  • All children aged 3–4 are entitled to 15 hours of funded early education per week (term-time only, from the term after their third birthday).
  • Some children aged 3-4 may be eligible for an additional 15 hours of funded early education (30 hours in total) per week, depending on government criteria (term-time only, from the term after their third birthday).

Parents can find out if they are entitled to funded early education for their child on the Childcare Choices website.

All funding follows local authority funding periods (September, January and April), beginning the term after a child becomes eligible.

Session options

We offer both 15-hour part time places and 30-hour full time places in our nursery.

A 15 hour place comprises of either:

  • Monday - Tuesday, 8:45am-3pm and Wednesday morning, 8:45am-11:15, or
  • Wednesday afternoon, 12:30pm-3pm and Thursday - Friday, 8:45am-3pm

A 30 hour place comprises full time attendance, Monday - Thursday, 8:45am-3pm, and Friday, 8:45am-1:45pm*. In order to qualify for a 30 hour funded place, you must meet the criteria as stipulated by the government. You will then be issued with an 11-digit code which must be provided to the school, alongside your National Insurance number, solely for the purposes of verifying this entitlement. Receiving 30 hours free childcare will not effect eligibility for Universal Credit, tax credits, childcare vouchers or Tax-Free Childcare. To find out more information or to claim 30 funded hours, please visit https://www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare. 

*Fees are payable if you would like your child to attend until 3pm on Fridays (for hours taken above a funded entitlement).

Nursery Admissions Arrangements and Charging

Applications to our Nursery should be made directly to the school using the form below. We can add children to our waiting list from two terms before their third birthday. 

Full details of the admissions arrangements for our Nursery can be found within our Nursery Admissions Policies:

Nursery Admissions Policy 2025-26

Nursery Admissions Policy 2026-27

Full details of how and what we charge for in our Nursery can be found within our Charging and Remissions Policies:

Nursery Charging and Remissions Policy Addendum 2025-26

Nursery Charging and Remissions Policy 2026-27

Please be aware that a place in our Nursery will not guarantee entry into our Reception Class.

Applying to our Nursery

To apply for a place in our nursery, you will need to complete our online in-year application form:

Online Nursery Application Form

Online applications are preferred. A paper copy of the form is available on request during periods when admissions are open. Our contact details are below. Paper application forms must be returned to Prendergast Vale School, as outlined in the form.

With your application, you must upload copies of the following supporting documentation:

  1. Proof of applicant address (ONE of the following documents):
    • Council Tax statement or letter (this MUST be supplied if the applicant parent is the council tax payer and must be for the current financial year) OR
    • Tenancy agreement via a commerical letting agency or solicitor’s letter confirming completion of house purchase OR
    • Letter from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) or UK Border Force (UKBA) confirming the applicant lives at the address (must be current year) OR
    • A letter from a local or national housing organisation (must be current year and on headed paper).
  2. Proof of child’s date of birth (ONE of the following documents):
    • Passport (must be current) OR
    • EU national identity card (must be current) OR
    • Prescription or medical letter (must clearly state child’s name and date of birth).

For more information on supporting documentation, please see our Admissions Protocol for Proof of Address and Parental Responsibility, available on our School Policies page.