Time to sign up for Nursery...

(16th February 2012)

It’s time for parents with children born between 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2009 to apply for a nursery place.

The online nursery application system for 2012-13 opens on Monday 20 February 2012.

Hertfordshire County Council hosts an on-line application system on www.hertsdirect.org/nurseryadmissions for parents to apply for a place at a nursery school or class. The online system allows for the local allocation of places by schools and you can state which nursery you would most prefer and the days you would like your child to attend. Parents should apply for a place at a nursery school or class online by 1 April 2012.

A leaflet - 'Applying for a Nursery Place' - is being distributed to families across the county which explains all you need to know about making an application on the online system. The leaflet also explains about free nursery places available at private, voluntary and independent (PVI) nursery settings across the county.

To find your nearest nursery follow the online link to use the easy online mapping facility - simply enter your postcode to find nurseries in your area.

While the online application system allows applications to nursery schools and classes, the “nearest nursery” online mapping system includes all nurseries, schools and PVI providers, offering the 15 hours of free early years entitlement.

Last year 96 per cent of applicants applied online and you can check or change your application at any time up until the deadline of 1 April, 2012. Parents without online access should contact their nursery of choice direct.

To access nursery offers, parents must log back into their online application on 30 April 2012. Places can be accepted or rejected immediately online.

Frances Button, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: "The first years of a child's school life set the foundations for future success and we want to make the application process as simple and straightforward as possible.

"Applying online is quick, safe and efficient and if you do not have internet access at home you can use the free public computers in county libraries or in your local children’s centre."

The parent timeline, frequently asked questions and online mapping system are all located at www.hertsdirect.org/nurseryadmissions

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