Nursery Tour Dates

If you would like to have a look around nursery, please email office@stnm.org.uk, ring 01273 454470 or visit the school office to book a tour.

Summer Term Tour Dates below - 

Thursday 23rd April - 9:10 am

Thursday 30th  - 9:30 am

Monday 11th May - 9:30 am

Thursday 21st May - 9:30 am

Thursday 4th June - 9:30 am

We look forward to hearing from you!

Age for Admission

Little Fishes Nursery is open to pre-school children, including 2-year-olds approaching their third birthday, as per the table below.

Start Dates

Children can start at the beginning of the Autumn, Spring or Summer terms subject to availability.

Number of sessions

We strongly recommend children to apply for a minimum of 5 sessions per week to ensure that sufficient time is available to assess each child’s progress and to plan effectively for their development.

Cost of sessions

For those children who do not receive funding, the cost of sessions is currently £18.00 per session.  Please note that from 1st September 2026 this will increase to £18.50 per session.

Admissions Policy

Please see our Little Fishes Nursery Admissions Policy below. Please be aware that admission to the Nursery does not guarantee a place in the Reception class and parents with children in the school must not assume younger siblings will automatically gain a place. The school may be oversubscribed and parents and carers are advised to look carefully at the Admissions Policy and seek advice to ensure that forms are correctly and fully completed.

Please note: if your child is due to start school in September 2027, there is a new oversubscription criterion in our school admission arrangements for 2027-28.

This new criterion applies to:

• Children who currently attend St Nicolas and St Mary’s Nursery, ‘Little Fishes’

• and who joined the nursery no later than the first week of the term starting in January 2027.

Please contact the school office to enquire about places in our Nursery.

Nursery Admissions Policy for Sept 2025-2026

Up to 30 hours free childcare

What you need to know:

• Parents of 2 years olds may be entitled to up to 15 hours of free childcare over 38 weeks if:
  • You are in receipt of certain benefits such as Income Support of Universal credit.
  • Your child has Disability Living Allowance or an Education Health and Care (ECH) plan.
  • Your child is adopted/Under a Special Guardianship Order or are a looked after child.
• From 2 January 2024 applications opened for the new 2 year old free childcare for working families. This offer is available for those who work the equivalent of 16 hours at the national minimum wage, or more per week.
• All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to up to 15 hours of free childcare over 38 weeks.
• Working parents who meet the criteria could be entitled to an additional 15 hours free childcare over 38 weeks for their 3 and 4 year olds. Foster parent families may also be eligible for extended free childcare.
• Please follow this link to read the Early Years Funded Entitlement - A guide for parents and carers by the Family Information Service, which includes useful information and contact numbers - https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/media/ipwdtuuc/ws035-early-years-funded-entitlement-booklet_-web-accessible.pdf
• Further information on the expansion of childcare support can be found here - https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/campaigns/expansion-of-childcare-support/

What do I do next?

• Go to www.westsussex.gov.uk/education-children-and-families/childcare-and-early-education/ to view the eligibility criteria to find out more.
• If eligible, you will need to apply the term before you would like to use your additional hours.

Find out more by visiting the Government childcare choices website; https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

Headcount Day

Your child must be registered at your chosen childcare provider by Headcount day in order to access funding:

• Summer Term 2026: Thursday 30th April 2026
• Autumn Term 2026: Thursday 17th September 2026
• Spring Term 2027: Thursday 21st January 2027

Payment

If your child attends the nursery for unfunded hours you can pay by bank transfer, by childcare voucher or by using the HMRC Tax Free childcare. We are registered with a number of Childcare Voucher services:

• Edenred Account Number – P20505430
• Computershare Voucher Account Number – 0014629387
• Kiddivouchers – Post Code: BN43 6PE; Ofsted: 126049
• Sodexo Account Number: 178336
• Co-op Childcare Account Number: 85104536
• Care4 Account Number: 79894376
• RG Childcare Number: 58270793229
• Fideliti Childcare Vouchers – Use school name and Post Code: BN43 6PE
• Salary Exchange.

Helping families to save money through Tax-Free Childcare

Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) is a childcare top-up for working parents. It can be used to help pay for breakfast clubs, after school clubs, holiday clubs, childminders, or sports activities. TFC is available for children aged up to 11, or 17 if the child has a disability. Families can visit the Best Start in Life website to check if they are eligible. You can find out more about the scheme by clicking here.    

Tax Free Childcare can be saved up on your account. Even if childcare is not required throughout the school terms, there is still the option to save up funds. 

Best Start in Life has a page of frequently asked questions. You can also follow the Family Information Service (FIS) Facebook page. The FIS shares useful information on help paying for childcare and other topics that may be useful. 

Useful links and additional information: 

• Tax Free Childcare support for summer holiday activities
• Guidance on getting Tax-Free Childcare
• The Family Information Service's Facebook page   
• Help paying for childcare web page
• The Family Information Service website helps parents search for childcare

Nursery - Supplementary notes

Changing sessions - If you wish to change the number of sessions you require this can be done termly, subject to availability. This is to ensure that we can claim the correct funding for your child if he/she receives funding, and invoice you correctly if your child is non-funded. Please advise us of any changes two weeks prior to the end of each term so that we can manage our admissions efficiently.

Invoicing - If you pay for some or all of your child’s nursery sessions we will provide you with an invoice in September which will cover the fees for the Autumn term. Invoices will subsequently be given to you at the beginning of each term for fees covering the following term. If you are unable to pay the full amount please do not worry, but speak to a member of the office staff. Late collection of children from nursery may incur a charge.

Refunds - Unfortunately, we are not able to refund the cost of your session if your child is ill or absent for any other reason.

Buggies/pushchairs - We are sorry that there is no room for buggies in the nursery classroom but parents may bring them into the Early Years playground at drop-off and pick-up.