A child can be admitted from the term following their third birthday providing there are places available. This can be in a Local Authority maintained nursery school or in a private setting which may be a playgroup or private day nursery.
Monmouthshire has 12 Local Authority maintained school nurseries and Children are required to attend 5 sessions per week for a half day session and will be given either a morning or an afternoon place. Schools expect pupils attending the nursery to take up all sessions that are available to them.
In-Year Applications
In-Year applications can be made at any time for admissions outside of the normal admission round.
Applying for September 2027
If your child was born between 1st September 2023 and 31st August 2024 you can apply for a 2027 nursery school place between 3rd July 2026 and 11th September 2026. Please visit our ONLINE PORTAL to begin your application.
Please take some time to read the Guidance notes and Starting School Booklet 2026/27 before completing your application.
Children born between 1st September 2023 and 31st December 2023 may be offered an early start from January 2027.
Children born between 1st January 2024 and 31st March 2024 may be offered an early start from April 2027.
Children born between 1st April 2024 and 31st August 2024 are not eligible for an early start.
Decision letters offering an early start if places are available will be issued:
- on 20th November 2026 for both September 2027 and for a January 2027 start
- On 5th March 2027 for an April 2027 start
Over-subscription Criteria
Where there are more applications than places available the following criteria will be applied in order to determine who will get the places available:
1 – Looked after children or previously looked after children i.e. children that are in the care of or have previously been in the care of a local authority
2 – Medical or social grounds highlighted by appropriate agencies.
3 – Children who have relevant sibling in attendance at the preferred nursery.
4 – After applying the categories above, or should the school continue to be in a position of over-subscription in any of the above categories, priority will be based on closeness to the preferred school, measured using the shortest safe walking route. You will be asked to provide any appropriate documentation necessary to verify your home addresses.
You will be asked to provide any appropriate documentation necessary to verify your home addresses.
Applications to attend non-maintained approved nurseries, playgroups or Cylchoedd Meithrin can be obtained directly from the settings. Contact details can be found on through Monmouthshire’s Family Information Service’s Childcare Search Facility.
If you require further information about nursery admissions please contact The School and Student Access Unit on 01633 644508 or by emailing accesstolearning@monmouthshire.gov.uk