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Making a Nursery application 2024-25
Children born 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022
Children can start Nursery the term that starts after their third birthday. For some children this means that they could spend five terms in Nursery until they start Reception and for others it is a maximum of three.
All children born 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 should make their applications before the closing date 28 February 2024. If your child's date of birth falls outside this range, please see the relevant section below for further information.
Not all schools will admit children in January or April as priority is given to those who can attend from September. This ensures that more children can attend for three terms and only offering up to five terms where there are vacancies.
As well as ensuring the maximum number of families can have their full three terms in a nursery setting, this provides a more settled learning environment with less movement between schools and less disruption caused by new joiners in January.
School nursery class leaflet - 2023 (2024 leaflet coming soon)
When to apply and important dates
Children born between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022
|
Date of birth |
Eligible from |
|---|---|
|
1 April 2021 - 31 August 2021 |
September 2024 |
|
1 September 2021 - 31 December 2021 |
January 2025 |
|
1 January 2022 - 31 March 2022 |
April 2025 |
The closing date for applications to these intakes is 28 February 2024.
Please see the section of our website How to apply for further information and a link to the online application portal.
The key dates for Nursery 2024/5 admissions process can be found in the following table.
|
Date |
Activity |
|---|---|
|
September 2023 to February 2024 |
Parents can contact primary schools for further information about tours and open events. |
|
28 February 2024 |
Closing date for receipt of online applications. Paper application forms must have been returned to your first preference school. |
|
April to May 2024 |
Applications are ranked according to admissions criteria. |
|
12 May 2024 |
Offer day. Parents will be notified of the outcome of their application. |
|
Mid June 2024 |
Second round of offers issued. |
Nursery 2023-24 allocations
Offers are sent direct from schools
January 2024 offers will be made during the autumn term.
April 2024 offers will be made from February 2024
Waiting list information can be found on the waiting list page.
Children born between 1 September 2019 and 31 March 2021
|
Date of birth |
Eligible from |
|---|---|
|
1 September 2019 - 31 August 2020 |
September 2023 or before |
|
1 September 2020 - 31 December 2020 |
January 2024 |
|
1 January 2021 - 31 March 2021 |
April 2024 |
The application process for these nursery class places has already been completed, however, you can still submit a late application.
Please complete an In Year Nursery form and return it to School Admissions at Merton Civic Centre.
You can download the form and return via email or post:
In-Year Nursery application form
If you are not able to print or access the In Year Nursery form, please contact School Admissions and we can arrange for one to be posted to you. It is not currently possible to make an In-Year Nursery application online.
For children born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020 you will also need to submit a Starting Reception 2024 application. Further details on this application process are available on the Starting Reception page.
Children born between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023
The application process for these places will begin on 1 September 2024 with children due to start from September 2025.
The information on how to apply for a nursery place will be available on our website from September 2024.
|
Date of birth |
Eligible from |
|---|---|
|
1 April 2022 - 31 August 2022 |
September 2025 |
|
1 September 2022 - 31 December 2022 |
January 2026 |
|
1 January 2023 - 31 March 2023 |
April 2026 |
Contact us
School Admissions Team
Civic Centre
Morden
SM4 5DX
Email: admissions@merton.gov.uk