Nursery Applications

We’re delighted you’re considering Pine Class, our Nursery, for your child’s early learning journey. Our warm, nurturing environment supports children from the age of 3, helping them develop and flourish through play-based learning and caring guidance.

For current deadlines, availability, or pricing, visit our Current Admissions Information page.

Quick Overview

Essential information about joining our Nursery:

Ages 3+ (children must turn 3 by 31 August for a September start)
Operating hours: 8:45am to 3:00pm, Monday to Friday during term time
36 places available for part-time or full-time attendance
Government-funded places with flexible arrangements
Wraparound care available for 30-hour places
Applications open in spring for September admission

About Nursery Places

We offer government-funded places that can be arranged flexibly to suit your family's needs.

15-Hour Part-Time Options

Choose either:

Five mornings: 8:45 to 11:45am, Monday to Friday
Two and a half days: Two full days (8:45am–3:00pm) plus one morning (8:45am–11:45am)

30-Hour Full-Time Places

Full-time places run 8:45am to 3:00pm, Monday to Friday, for eligible families.

Wraparound care: You can pay for extended care until 3:30pm or 4:00pm if needed.

Eligibility requirements:

Your child must be 3 or 4 years old
Both parents must each work at least 16 hours per week at National Minimum Wage or above (this includes single parents, zero-hours contract workers, and self-employed parents)
Annual household income under £100,000

Important process information:

You must apply for 30-hour funding through the government website and provide a valid eligibility code before your place is confirmed
Eligibility must be reconfirmed every three months through HMRC
If eligibility lapses, your place automatically reverts to 15 hours
We're unable to hold places during pending reapplications

Additional Paid Sessions

We offer additional paid sessions beyond your funded allocation, including wraparound care. See our Current Admissions Information page for pricing.

Applying for a Place

We open applications in spring for September places, and send out offers in April. Children must turn 3 before 31 August to be eligible for September admission.

When you’re ready, submit your completed application form and child's birth certificate to: The Business Manager, Sefton Park Schools, Ashley Down Road, Bristol BS7 9BJ.

If you're applying for a 30-hour place, you'll also need to submit a valid eligibility code with your application.

You can find links to all the forms and resources you’ll need in the Key Resources section below.

Application Priority

We follow a priority order when allocating places: Looked-after children (children in care), children with additional needs, siblings of current pupils, then by application date. For more information on how we prioritise applications, see our full nursery admissions policy on our Policies page.

After You Apply

If you're offered a place at our Nursery, we'll contact you via email. Please add our email to your safe senders list and keep your contact details current with the school office to make sure you don't miss any important communications.

Starting at Our Nursery

We look forward to welcoming you to our nursery family. Once your place is confirmed, you’ll get an email with next steps and an invitation to our welcome evening, where you’ll meet the supportive nursery team.

Before your child starts in September, you'll be invited to our relaxed stay-and-play sessions in June. These sessions help your child feel at home as you both explore Pine Class together, chat with our staff, and meet other families joining us. We're also happy to arrange home visits to help children feel even more excited and confident about starting nursery.

When September arrives, our gentle induction process allows each child to settle in at their own pace. This helps them get comfortable with their new surroundings, routines, and friends, ensuring everyone feels happy and settled from the very first day.

Important Notes

Packed lunches: All children attending full days need to bring a nut-free packed lunch.

Attendance: Regular attendance helps your child settle in and make the most of their time with us, and is necessary to maintain your funded place.

Toilet training: We encourage all children to be toilet-trained by the time they join us in September. We understand that children have different journeys to toilet training, and we'll always support you and your child along the way. The ERIC website has some excellent tips.

Reception applications: A nursery place doesn't automatically guarantee a reception place at our school – you'll need to apply separately through Bristol City Council when applications open.

Key Resources

Fill in our online Nursery Application Form
View our Nursery Admissions Policy (PDF)
Visit the government website to apply for 30-hour funding

Need Help?

For funding queries: Contact Bristol City Council Family Information Service at askcyps@bristol.gov.uk or call 0845 129 7217. They can help with questions about eligibility, codes, and funding processes.

For admissions questions: Contact our school office – we're here to support you throughout the application process and answer any questions about our nursery provision.

We're committed to working with families to find arrangements that work for you within available places. Please note that completing an application doesn't guarantee a specific placement or session times.