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 third birthday.
If your child’s third birthday falls between 1 January and 31 March, your child will become eligible from the start of the summer term in April.
If your child’s third birthday falls between 1 April and 31 August, your child will become eligible from the start of the Autumn term in September.
If your child’s third birthday falls between 1 September and 31 December, your child will become eligible from the start of the spring term in January.
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 Children and Families Information Service.
Telephone: 03457 125 737
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:
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.
If you are unable to download an application form, please contact your preferred nursery.
For all nursery enquiries or eligibility code queries
Check you're eligible and get a code on the Childcare Choices website
Contact the Children and Families Information Service
Telephone: 03457 125 737
Email: childrens.information@cumberland.gov.uk
Closing dates for community and voluntary controlled nurseries
| Children born between | Date of entry | Closing date for applications |
| 1 September 2020 to 31 December 2020 | January 2024 | 29 September 2023 |
| 1 January 2021 to 31 March 2021 | April 2024 | 15 January 2024 |
| 1 April 2021 to 31 August 2021 | September 2024 | 28 March 2024 |
| 1 September 2021 to 31 December 2021 | January 2025 | 27 September 2024 |
| 1 January 2022 to 31 March 2022 | April 2025 | 15 January 2025 |
| 1 April 2022 to 31 August 2022 | September 2025 | 31 March 2025 |
| 1 September 2022 to 31 December 2022 | January 2026 | 26 September 2025 |
| 1 January 2023 to 31 March 2023 | April 2026 | 15 January 2026 |
| 1 April 2023 to 31 August 2023 | September 2026 | 27 March 2026 |
| 1 September 2023 to 31 December 2023 | January 2027 | 28 September 2026 |
| 1 January 2024 to 31 March 2024 | April 2027 | 15 January 2027 |
| 1 April 2024 to 31 August 2024 | September 2027 | 25 March 2027 |
| 1 September 2024 to 31 December 2024 | January 2028 | 30 September 2027 |
| 1 January 2025 to 31 March 2025 | April 2028 | 15 January 2028 |
| 1 April 2025 to 31 August 2025 | September 2028 | 24 March 2028 |
| 1 September 2025 to 31 December 2025 | January 2029 | 29 September 2028 |
| 1 January 2026 to 31 March 2026 | April 2029 | 15 January 2029 |
| 1 April 2026 to 31 August 2026 | September 2029 | 26 March 2029 |
| 1 September 2026 to 31 December 2026 | January 2030 | 29 September 2029 |
| 1 January 2027 to 31 March 2027 | April 2030 | 15 January 2030 |
| 1 April 2027 to 31 August 2027 | September 2030 | 25 March 2030 |
| 1 September 2027 to 31 December 2027 | January 2031 | 27 September 2030 |
| 1 January 2028 to 31 March 2028 | April 2031 | 15 January 2031 |
| 1 April 2028 to 31 August 2028 | September 2031 | 28 March 2031 |
| 1 September 2028 to 31 December 2028 | January 2032 | 26 September 2031 |
| 1 January 2029 to 31 March 2029 | April 2032 | 15 January 2032 |
| 1 April 2029 to 31 August 2029 | September 2032 | 26 March 2032 |
| 1 September 2029 to 31 December 2029 | January 2033 | 30 September 2032 |
For academies, voluntary aided and foundation schools, you should check with the individual school for the closing date.