Apply for a nursery place

When your child is eligible for free nursery education

All 3 and 4 year olds are eligible for up to 15 hours a week of free nursery provision from the term after their 3rd birthday and some children may be entitled to an additional 15 hours of full nursery education.

This is based on children attending nursery for 38 weeks of the year for 5, 3-hour sessions per week, either every morning or every afternoon, although other flexible options may be available.

Additional hours and 2 year olds

Some 2-year-old children are also entitled to free places and some may be entitled to an additional 15 hours of full nursery education. 

Find out more on the Family Information website.

If you need further information, you can contact the Family Information Service.

Family Information Service
Email: fis@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Telephone: 07785456983

Who provides nursery education

Various 'settings' provide nursery education where parents can access this free entitlement. You can search for these settings on the Family Information website:

• Day nurseries
• Nursery schools
• Independent school nurseries
• Pre-schools
• Nursery classes

Before you apply

The admission policy for community and voluntary controlled nurseries outlines how applications are prioritised.

Read the admission policy for nurseries

Attendance in a nursery class does not guarantee a place in the reception group at the school. It is not a factor in allocating places at community and voluntary controlled schools and many other schools.

Apply for a nursery place

Download the application form and return it to your preferred school.

• Applying for childcare 3 to 4 year olds (PDF version) (PDF , 434KB)
• Applying for childcare 3 to 4 year olds (Word version) (DOCX , 65KB)

If you are unable to download an application form, please contact your preferred nursery or please contact the School Admissions and Appeals Team by emailing school.admissions@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.

For all nursery enquiries or eligibility code queries

Check you're eligible and get a code on the Best Start in Life website.

If you need further information, you can contact the Family Information Service.

Family Information Service
Email: fis@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Telephone: 07785456983

Closing dates for community and voluntary-controlled nursery applications

2026/2027 nursery application dates

2027/2028 nursery application dates

For academies, voluntary aided and foundation schools, you should check with the individual school for the closing date.