We're delighted you're considering Pine Class for your child. This page covers everything you need to apply – funded places, hours, costs, and the application process.

At a Glance

Essential information about joining our Nursery:

• Ages 3+ (children must turn 3 by 31 August for a September start)
• 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: 8:45–11:45am, 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–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

Beyond your funded hours, you can buy additional sessions where places allow, including wraparound care.

For current session times, prices, and availability, contact our school office, they'll talk through the options that fit your family.

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 a September admission.

When you're ready, fill in our online Nursery Application Form and submit it along with your child's birth certificate to:

The Business Manager
Sefton Park Schools
St Bartholomews 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.

Application Priority

We follow a priority order when allocating places:

1. Looked-after children (children in care)
2. Children with additional needs or with safeguarding considerations
3. Siblings of current pupils

After these priority groups, places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis by application date.

For more information on how we prioritise applications, see our full Nursery Admissions Policy under Governance & Operations 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.

What happens next: Once your place is confirmed, you'll receive information about preparing for your child's first day, including our welcome evening and stay-and-play sessions. You can find all the details about starting Nursery on our Starting at Nursery page.

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 at seftonpark@bristol-schools.uk or call 0117 377 3290. We're here to support you throughout the application process and answer any questions about our nursery provision.

Places and specific sessions can't be guaranteed, but we'll do our best to find an arrangement that works for your family.