CouncilApplying to a nursery school
Children can attend a nursery school or nursery class which is attached to a primary school from the age of three or four. Some nursery places are for half-days, either a morning or an afternoon, and others are for the whole school day.
Parents should apply for a nursery place when their child reaches the age of two. Parents can approach nurseries and schools direct to make an application.
Further information on how to apply for a nursery place can be found in the Starting School in Tower Hamlets booklet. This booklet provides contact details for nursery schools, nursery classes and early years units in Tower Hamlets.
The Starting School in Tower Hamlets booklet is available in English, Bengali and Somali. For a copy of the booklet, please contact the council’s pupil services team on 020 7364 5006. Use the links at the bottom of the page to download the English version of the booklet.
Other services
If your local nursery schools and classes are full contact pupil services for advice. If you need more information on other services for under fives, please contact one of the following organisations:
Tower Hamlets Children's Information Service
The Children's Information Service (CIS) holds a database of all registered childcare in the borough including details of vacancies, costs, opening times, age range, special needs provision, and availability of school pick-up. There is also guidance on how to choose childcare and ways to pay for it. For those interested in a career in childcare, the CIS can provide information on what jobs are available, training and vacancies.
tel: 020 7364 6495
Tower Hamlets Early Years Service
The Early Years Service provides information on early years/foundation stage education, children’s centres (including Sure Start children’s centres), future plans for childcare and early education services in Tower Hamlets and Sure Start.
tel: 020 7364 6495
email: early.years@towerhamlets.gov.uk
