In many parts of Hackney, children aged 3 and 4 can go to nursery classes attached to primary or nursery schools. The age your child can go depends on the number of places available. Some nursery places are for half a day (morning or afternoon), others for the whole day. Going to a nursery school or nursery class gives children a valuable introduction to school. It gives them the opportunity to develop their skills and be part of a large group of children of their own age in a happy and relaxed atmosphere.

The day is arranged so that children can develop at their own pace. If your child attends a nursery class attached to a primary school there is no guarantee that your child will transfer into the reception class at the same school. There is no right of appeal for admission to nursery classes and nursery schools.

How to apply
If you want a nursery place for your child, you need to contact your preferred school when your child is 2 years old and not before, and complete an application form. The school will contact you nearer the time of admission to let you know whether a place will be offered. Remember that putting your child’s name on the application list does not give you priority over other children who might apply later.

The over-subscription criteria for admission to nursery schools and nursery classes in community primary schools. Children are normally admitted to nursery on a part-time basis either in September or January following their third birthday. You can refer to the time table on page 9. For those schools with both part-time and full-time places, there will normally be two part-time places available for every full-time place. The full-time places will normally be offered to children already attending the nursery on a part-time basis, usually one or two terms before they are due to start the reception class.

If there are more children who require a nursery place at a particular school than there are places available the Headteacher will allocate the places on the basis of the number of part-time and/or fulltime places available. Priority will be given in the following order:

1. Children in public care who live within the current recruitment area to the reception class or who have a need for a place at that particular school.

2. Children with an educational, medical or social need for a nursery place*.

3. Children whose parents can take up or retain a teaching post in one of Hackney’s schools**.

4. Children with brothers and sisters on the roll of the school at the time of the proposed admission.

5. Children living nearest the school as measured in a straight line from the child’s or childminder’s*** front door to the main entrance of the school.

Distance as measured in 5 above will be used in any tie-breaker decisions for priorities 1, 3 and 4.

* This applies to the nearest school unless your child’s need justifies a place at a particular school. For educational or medical reasons, headteachers can take into account any specific needs such as developmental, speech and language delay or physical needs. The school will require further information from doctors, hospital consultants, health visitors, education and child professionals.

** If you are a Hackney school teacher applying for a nursery place only one child under this scheme can be admitted to each class. School teachers must apply to the primary school in which they teach or within one mile from their place of work.

*** If your child is cared for by a childminder during the week their address can be used to determine nearness to school. The school will ask to see proof of this arrangement. If your child is offered a place in a nursery class attached to a school there is no guarantee that your child will automatically transfer into the reception class at the same school. Parents must make a separate application for a place in a reception class in accordance with the procedure as set out on page 6.

If no nursery place is offered or you apply after all the places have been allocated

If you are unsuccessful in obtaining a place or apply after the places have been allocated, you can request that your child is placed on the application list. Children are ranked on the list in accordance with the over-subscription criteria as described above and places are offered from the application list as and when they arise. The length of time your child’s name is on the application list does not give your child any greater priority. You can also contact the Children’s Information Service (CIS) on 020 8820 7590 based at The Learning Trust for information on children centres, nurseries, child minders, one o’clock clubs and crèches.

Admission to nursery classes at voluntary aided schools
The governing body of each voluntary aided school is responsible for the arrangements for admission to their nursery class. Parents are advised to contact each school individually for further details including notification and start dates. The schools are listed in Section C of this booklet.