Professional and friendly staff at Stephen Perse Nurseries

Admissions

Joining our Early Years settings

Welcome!

We’re delighted that you’re considering Stephen Perse for your child’s Early Years. We operate all year round and welcome children throughout the year.

We are accepting applications for Rising Three’s, Kindergarten and Reception. Please note that all our Baby and Toddler places are full and we are no longer taking applications. 

Registration fee

The registration fee required at the time of submitting an application reflects the costs incurred by the Foundation in administering the admissions process before the offer of a place is made. This fee is non-fundable.

  • Nursery and Kindergarten: £100
  • Reception: £200

Acceptance fee

The acceptance fee is payable when an offer of a place is accepted by the parents and reflects the administrative costs incurred by the Foundation in preparing for new pupils to join the Foundation, including induction arrangements. This fee is non-refundable.

  • Nursery and Kindergarten: £100
  • Reception: £300

Application and assessment process

A place is only confirmed once an offer has been accepted and the documents have been signed and returned with the acceptance fee. Your child’s start date will be indicated on the offer letter. Once the contract is signed you are committed to that start date.

Should you wish to defer your start date you will either:

  • Have to pay for the days that your child will attend to keep the place open for them or
  • you will be required to give notice and your child will go back onto the waiting list.

Nursery (ages 1-3)

We accept applications for nursery places throughout the year, but these are subject to space being available.

  • For nursery applications children aged 1 – 3 years old we will arrange a telephone meeting with our Head or Deputy Head of Early Years.
  • At the telephone meeting they will be able to answer any questions that you have with regards to your child’s daily activities and requirements
  • After this meeting we will be able to make you an offer of a place should there be a place available.
  • On acceptance of an offer you will be required to pay a £100 acceptance fee when you sign and accept the parent contract. This is all done via our online admissions portal.

Kindergarten (ages 3-4)

We accept applications for Kindergarten places throughout the year, but these are subject to space being available. Your child will be invited into the nursery to spend a little time with the Head / Deputy Head of Early Years in order for them to make an assessment. For younger children the assessments are very informal. Our purpose is to identify bright, enquiring minds and we are looking for a child’s natural potential. Generally the process is more about identifying your child’s approach to learning rather than what he/she has been taught in school already. The interviews which last about 10 minutes are informal and we have a very relaxed atmosphere.

  • Application closing date – 29 November 2024
  • Entry assessments – week commencing 13 January 2025
  • Offers made – week commencing 27 January 2025
  • Acceptance of offers – 17 February 2025

For Nursery and Kindergarten places:

On acceptance of an offer the next steps in the entry process are:

  • All about me appointment  – Closer to your child’s start date, we will schedule a phone or video call with their key person. This is an opportunity for us to find out a little more about your child and their routines, ready to welcome them into our setting. It will also be a chance for you to ask any questions you may have.
  • Settling in sessions (Nursery) – Your child will come to the nursery and stay on their own for up to four settling in sessions. These sessions are arranged as part of the admissions process.
  • Stay and play sessions (Kindergarten) – Your child will come to the nursery and stay on their own for a few Stay and Play sessions.

Reception (ages 4-5)

Children start in the Reception class at the beginning of the academic year. Applications can be submitted throughout the year however spaces are subject to availability. Children are invited into the school for their entry assessment where the Head/Deputy Head of Early Years will spend some time with them in the school environment. For younger children the assessments are very informal. Our purpose is to identify bright, enquiring minds and we are looking for a child’s natural potential. Generally the process is more about identifying your child’s approach to learning rather than what he/she has been taught in school already. The interviews which last about 10 minutes are informal and we have a very relaxed atmosphere.

  • Application closing date – 27 September 2024
  • Entry assessments – week commencing 9 October 2024
  • Offers made – week commencing 21 October 2024
  • Acceptance of offers – 11 November 2024
Start an Application for Reception

Our nurseries