Nursery Tour Dates

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

New dates for the Autumn term will be listed here soon!

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.

Admissions Policy

Please see our Little Fishes Nursery Admissions Policy below. Please note 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 contact the school office to enquire about places in our Nursery.

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:

• Spring Term: 16th January 2025
• Summer Term: Thursday 2nd May 2025
• Autumn Term: 18th September 2025

Payment

If your child attends the nursery for unfunded hours or little Octopus and Starfish clubs you can pay online via Arbor, 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.

Nursery Admissions Policy for Sept 2025-2026

Nursery Admissions Policy for Sept 2026-2027

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.