Starting Nursery and Starting School

Your child’s birth date determines when they start nursery and when they will start primary school.

The School Year begins on the 1st September and ends on 31st August.

The School Year is divided into 3 terms, starting with the Autumn Term (September-December). This is followed by the Spring Term (January-Easter) and the Summer Term (April-July).

Children start nursery at Maples in the Autumn Term that follows their 3rd birthday - once the previous intake of children transfers to the Reception Class of their new primary school.

Children transfer to primary school in the Autumn Term of the School Year in which they turn 5 and you must apply for a primary school place in the January before they start.

Children who turn 3 soon after the start of the Autumn Term will only be offered a place in the term after their third birthday if places are available. It is our experience that places at Maples and in the state sector in general are usually only offered for the school year before children transfer to Primary School.


The over 3s Nursery School

There are 50 morning places and 50 afternoon places in the Over 3’s Nursery School. Part time places are free. Children are offered a morning place or an afternoon place, 5 days a week.

Session times are:
Morning: 9.00-12.00. Afternoon: 12.30-3.30.

Children are allocated a morning or afternoon place on a random basis.
We cannot guarantee to accommodate parents’ preferences.

The waiting list is organised according to age, so the oldest children on the waiting list - those transferring to primary school in the following school year - are offered places first.
Children are offered a place as soon after their third birthday as a place becomes available.
In practice most places are offered in May for the Autumn Term following a child’s third birthday.

Full time Places in the Over 3’s Nursery
There are 20 full time places in the Over 3s nursery.
Priority for full time places is given to people working or studying full time, and key workers.
Full time children attend every morning + the afternoon on 3 or more days a week.

Full time places must be paid for by parents. Fees currently range from £30 - £40 per day.

The current session times and costs for full time places are:
8am or 9am-3.30pm costs £30-£32 per day
8am or 9am-4.30pm costs £35 per day
8am or 9am-6.00pm costs £40 per day

It may be possible to offer just one/two days full time – please ask when registering.
N.B. These places are term-time only. Holiday play schemes run at South Acton Children’s Centre.

Applying for a Place in the Over 3’s Nursery
We register children aged 2+.
When you register you will be offered the opportunity to look around the nursery.
Registration visits normally take place on Fridays at 9.30am or 1pm during term times.
Please email to check if we are open on the day you want to come.
When you register let us know if you are interested in a full time place.