How do I apply for a place at Tupton Primary and Nursery Academy Nursery?

We are a 26-place nursery for 3 and 4 years old. We offer both 15 hour and 30 hour funded places.

Children will be offered a nursery place the term after their third birthday:

Child’s Birthday When your child can start nursery
1 January to 31 March April (after Easter holiday)
1 April to 31 August September
1 September to 31 December January

Prior to starting nursery parents/carers will be invited to attend a short visit, stay and play sessions and offered a home visit.

You can apply to be placed on our Nursery waiting list by completing our application form.

Initial Application cut off dates (2026-27)
For September 2026 admission Applications must be submitted to the school by 14th May 2026.
For January 2027 admission Applications must be submitted to the school by 15th October 2026.
For April 2027 admission Applications must be submitted to the school by 4th February.

All completed applications to be handed to the main school office or emailed to enquiries@tpna.org.uk. The offer of a place will depend on the availability of the sessions when we process the admissions for that term- see initial application cut off dates below.

All Nursery places are allocated according to the admission criteria.

If you have been unsuccessful in obtaining a place for that term, we will keep you on our waiting list and contact you when we have a place available.

Please Note: Applications can still be submitted and still considered after the initial cut-off dates but will be considered after places have been allocated for the corresponding term.

Nursery Charges

15 Hours Free Nursery Education for All.

Our 15-hour place sessions are Monday to Friday 8:30am-11:30am.

All children are entitled to 15 hours funding the term after they turn three. Parents do not need to apply for this funding.

30 Hours Free Childcare for Working Parents

To check if your child is entitled please visit Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK or 30 hours free childcare – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

We offer 3 options for children who are eligible for 30-hours funding.

Option 1: Monday – Friday 8.30am to 2.30pm, fully funded place.

Option 2: Monday – Thursday 8.30am to 3.15pm, Friday 8.30am to 11.30am (no afternoon session on Friday), fully funded place.

Funded 30 hours plus chargeable additional hours:

 Option 3: Monday-Friday 8.30am to 3.15pm, 30hrs fully funded plus an additional charge for 3hrs 45mins per week at £6 per hour.

If you are eligible for 30 hours free childcare. You should have received an 11 digit code from the HMRC. You will need this code before your 30 hour place can be offered.

PLEASE NOTE, YOUR CHILD’S EXTENDED ENTITLEMENT WILL BEGIN THE TERM AFTER THE START DATE OF THE CODE.  SEE THE TABLE BELOW FOR A LIST OF IMPORTANT DATES. 

Once the code is confirmed it is your responsibility to ensure it remains valid and renewed to avoid the funding being lost.

Date of Child’s 3rd Birthday 11 digit Eligibility Code Must Be Applied By AND Dated Month Child Can Start Nursery
1st January to 31st March NO LATER THAN 31st MARCH April
1st April to 31st August NO LATER THAN 31st AUGUST September
1st September to 31st December NO LATER THAN 31st DECEMBER January

Additional items we charge for are listed below:

Chargeable Extra Cost £
Additional nursery hours (Option 3)

 

 £6 per hour
Lunch Meal- Provided by school.

 

Please note: no charge if

eligible for FSM. no charge if packed lunch brought from home

 

 £3.41 per meal

 

Paid and invoiced via ParentPay
Wraparound care (provided by Grade A sports)– based at TPNA Payment and invoices to Grade A Sports.

 

 

Is there any other help available with childcare costs? 

Tax Free Childcare is an online payment account, topped up by the Government, which parents use solely to pay their childcare costs. For every £8 that a family pays in, the Government will make a top-up payment of £2, up to a maximum of £2,000 per child per year. This is available for children under 12 years old.

This can be used for the additional charged nursery hours (option 3 only) and for our wraparound care offer (breakfast and afterschool club)

Please note, we do not charge a registration fee or a fee for consumables.

If children are in nappies/pull ups parents are asked to provide a supply to nursery.

School and nursery trips are NOT mandatory and are chargeable, although the charge for the child is voluntary. Prices for these trips are kept as low as possible.

See our charging policy  for more information.