How the admissions process works

The Islington education department determine the criteria for allocating nursery places.

Following submission of your completed application form it is filed according to your child’s date of birth in the admissions folder. We are always at our maximum capacity and places are allocated throughout the year only when families leave the nursery however the September intake is usually larger as this coincides with the school allocation process.

Places are filled according to the age vacancy available i.e the Rainbow Unit (under 2.5 years) or Sunshine Unit (2.5-5years). Other criteria include the type of place available i.e funded or non-funded (which is decided by family income and borough) and the specific number of days available ie, 2, 3 or 5.  

Some families can be given a priority place according to specific circumstances these include siblings, families deemed by a doctor, health visitor or social worker (referral required) to be ‘in need’ and children with other specific learning needs. Additional priority can be given to children in receipt of the 2yr early learning grant (places permitting).

Regular question on admissions:

Q - Would you be able to let me know what the situation is regarding availability for May for the baby room? And what is the procedure for being placed on the waiting list?

A - From September the nursery is full, however places do become available throughout the year.  The best way forward would be to complete the online admissions form, adding your preferred start date. We can then let you know if a suitable place does become available for either your preferred start date or the main intake in September, these are not guaranteed.