Nursery Admissions, Provision and Fees
St Mary’s offer high quality nursery provision led by a fully qualified teacher and following the national “Early Years Foundation Stage” (EYFS) curriculum, and preparing children for full time schooling in the years ahead.
We usually admit children into Nursery in the September following their third birthday although if we have places available we can take them earlier, from the Monday after their third birthday, subject to eligibility for funding.
In terms of hours we offer:
• Full time nursery from 8.30am – 3.30pm, term time only, 35 hours a week, or
• Morning nursery 8.30am – 11.30am, term time only, 15 hours a week, or
• Afternoon nursery 12.30pm – 3.30pm, term time only, 15 hours a week
All families are entitled to 15 hours funding a week from the term after their child turns 3, and thus morning or afternoon sessions are free of charge. Some families are entitled to earlier funding, please see the Government childcare funding website https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/ for more details.
For full time nursery, which is 35 hours a week, some families are entitled to 30 hours a week funding and thus only need to pay for the extra hour a day. The cost for this in 2025-6 is £2,100 per year payable in 6 half termly installments. For those families only entitled to the universal 15 hours funding the 2025-6 cost is £8,400 per year for the additional 20 hours per week.
For families receiving 30 hours funding who do not require the full 35 hour a week provision offered, we offer the option to pick up from full time nursery at 2.30pm rather than 3.30pm, with no further payments required.
Please note that if your funding entitlement changes over the course of the year and you cease to be eligible for full funding you will need to pay the cost of any unfunded sessions for the remainder of the school year.
School lunches and wraparound care provision
Hot school lunches are available for full time nursery children at a 2025-6 cost £2.98 a day. Children are also able to bring a packed lunch if they prefer for some or all days. Children can choose from two hot options each morning. Payments for lunches are made separately from fees via our Parentmail app. Please note that vouchers or tax-free childcare accounts cannot be used as payment for school lunches.
Wrap around care is also available at an extra cost from 7.30am – 8.30am (£7.50) and 3.30pm to either 4.30pm (£8.50) or 6pm (a further £10.50, to include a light meal). Breakfast club can be booked on a regular basis or as needed via Parentmail. After school childcare, “Smarty Club”, can only be booked for regular slots.
Holiday clubs are often available in the school holidays but this is not guaranteed.
Application process
Any enquiries regarding our nursery should be addressed to our Admissions Officer on admin@st-marys.merton.sch.uk.
Full details of how to apply can also be found on our website at https://www.st-marys.merton.sch.uk/key-info/admissions, but to summarise please apply by sending us the following by 28th Feb 2026 if you would like a place for 2026-2027
- a completed supplementary information form
- for Catholic applicants a copy of baptism certificate, and where applicable a completed Certificate of Catholic Practice
Both of these forms can be found on our website. Should we be oversubscribed, places will be offered in accordance with our published Admissions Policy.
Should you be interested in an in year place please get in touch on the email address above and we will be able to advise on availability and where appropriate add your child’s name to our waiting list.
