Nursery admissions 2025-26

School Admissions Information and Advice Stall 
Date: Monday 22 September – Friday 26 September 2025
Time: 10:00am to 4:00pm (drop-in service, no need to book)
Location: Tower Hamlets Town Hall (foyer)

All parents are entitled to 15 hours per week of free nursery education for 38 weeks each year from the start of the school term after their child’s third birthday until the child reaches compulsory school age i.e. the term after their fifth birthday.

Children will usually start nursery school or a nursery class attached to a primary school in the September following their third birthday.

If you are interested in applying for a nursery place please go through the following options:

1. In year Nursery application (2025-26)

If your child was born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022 and does not have a nursery place or you wish to apply for a transfer you should submit an online application on Parent Portal.

2. In year Nursery application (Jan/April start)

If your child turns three during the 2025-26 school year and you would like a nursery place for January or April 2026, you should submit an online application on Parent Portal.

In year nursery applications will be processed according to the timetable below:

Timetable for in year applications (January or April start)
Child DOB range	Entry point	Closing date	Parent notification date
1 September 2022 to 31 December 2022	Spring term Jan 2026 start	31 October 2025	21 November 2025
1 September 2022 to 31 March 2023	Summer term April 2026 start	30 January 2026	6 March 2026

You should also submit an application for Nursery 2026-27 in case we are unable to offer a place for a January or April start.

3. Coordination of admission to Nursery in September 2026

If your child was born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023 and you would like a nursery place for September 2026, you should submit an online application online via the eadmissions portal. The closing date is midnight on 14 February 2026.

The co-ordination of nursery admissions provides a fair and transparent admissions process, enabling children to access their statutory entitlement of 15 hours of educational provision.

There is no automatic right of transfer from the nursery class to the reception class in the same school, and attending a nursery class does not give any priority for admission to reception class at the same school.

Application guidance

The Starting Nursery in Tower Hamlets booklet contains all the information you need on applying, including a step by step guide to making your online application (page 29) .

You can apply for up to three Tower Hamlets nurseries.

If you are applying for a nursery place at a voluntary aided school, free school or academy, you may also need to complete the school’s supplementary information form (SIF). See a list of schools requiring SIFs.

When you have submitted your nursery application you will receive an email confirmation with your application reference.

Applying on-time

The closing date for nursery applications is 14 February 2026.

It is important to apply by the closing date. Applications made after the closing date will only be processed after places have been offered to children whose parents applied on time.

Nursery places are in considerable demand and most schools will not have vacancies once all 'on-time' applications have been processed.

Notification of decisions

All parents that applied by 14 February 2026 will be sent an email with the outcome of their application on 7 May 2026 and will also be able to view the outcome of their application on the eadmissions portal.

The email will be sent after 5pm and will name the nursery at which your child has been offered a place.

This offer will be for a part-time place only. Once you have been offered a part-time place you may request a full time place from your nursery.

If you have not been offered a place at any of your preferences, you will automatically be placed on the waiting list. You can also apply for nurseries that still have places remaining.

You must accept or decline the offer of a place with the nursery by 21 May 2026, otherwise the offer may be withdrawn.

Parents advice session

Join the the School Admissions Service Team and the Transitions Team for a parents advice session.

Get Set 2026 - Book your place

Funded entitlements

All children are eligible for 15 hours a week universal funded entitlements over a 38 week year (term time only), the term after their third birthday. This continues until the child reaches compulsory school age or moves to into reception class.

Extended 15 hours for working parents

Working parents may be able to access additional 15 hours (30 hours in total) if they meet the eligibility criteria. Parents must earn at least the national minimum of living wage for 16 hours a week and less than £100,000 a year. For more information on this and other support towards childcare cost we suggest you visit Childcare Choices.

Once your child has been offered the 15 hours place you may request additional hours but these will be subject to availability and eligibility (HMRC eligibility code).

Parents who are not eligible can purchase additional hours. You will need to contact the nursery for information concerning the cost of additional hours and any additional charges. Full-time places will be subject to availability.

Only 15 hour a week places will be offered as part of the coordinated scheme.

Contact the School Admissions Service

You can contact the admissions service by email at school.admissions@towerhamlets.gov.uk

If you are unable to apply online, or require an alternative format, please let us know.

Tower Hamlets Transition Support Service

Tower Hamlets Transition Support Service provides impartial advice, information and assistance to support children, young people and their families during key points of transition. They can provide help with a range of school issues including school admissions, appeals and home/school communication.

Email: transitions@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Tel: 020 7364 1533

Tower Hamlets Family Information Service

The Family Information Service (FIS) 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 FIS can provide information on what jobs are available, training and vacancies.

Tel: 020 7364 6495
Email: fis@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Tower Hamlets Integrated Early Years Service (IEYS)

The early years service provides information on early years/foundation stage education, Sure Start Children and Family Centres, future plans for childcare and early education services in Tower Hamlets and Sure Start.

Tel: 020 7364 1553
Email: early.years@towerhamlets.gov.uk