Our Ladybird Nursery provides preschool education to children from local families, aged between two & four years. Our Nursery operates between 9am and 3pm, Monday to Friday, term time only. Wraparound care is not available at present.

Created in 2021, our small nursery provision forms part of our dedicated early years environment, working alongside our Reception class, to support a seamless transition if your child continues their education journey with us.

All 3-4 year olds are eligible for 15 hours of Funded Early Education (FEE) from the term after they turn three. Some will be eligible for an additional 15 hours (Working Parent Entitlement).  Parents wishing to ‘top up’ their 15 hours of funding can pay privately for an additional 15 hours.  

We offer just three attendance possibilities:

1. Ladybird A: All day Monday and Tuesday, plus Wednesday morning until 12pm (15 hours).
2. Ladybird B: Wednesday afternoon from 12pm, plus all day Thursday and Friday (15 hours)
3. Ladybird C:  All day Monday to Friday inclusive (30 hours)

We prioritise 3-4 year olds, to prepare them for starting school, however, if places remain we are able to accommodate a maximum of four 2 year olds. Priority is given to Funded Early Education for Two year olds (FEET). If spaces still remain, we can accommodate privately funded 2 year olds.

• Click here for more information about FEE funding.
• Click here for more information about FEET funding.

Prices and chargeable extras 

Nursery charges explained for 2025-26

Provision in the Ladybird Nursery

Our team of qualified and experienced staff are committed to providing a happy, safe and stimulating environment for 2 - 4 year olds.  Children have access to a wide range of resources which motivates them to explore, investigate and learn through first-hand experience. We actively encourage positive self-esteem, and teach children to value themselves and others. We place a strong emphasis on play as we believe this is the best way for young children to learn, especially when developing the prime areas (Personal, Social and Emotional development, Communication and Language, and Physical development). We have very well resourced indoor and outdoor areas, which children are supported in accessing throughout the day.  Children can also access other areas of the school environment such as the hall, trim-trail and playground, MUGA and 'Wonder Woodland'.

Applying and visiting

We welcome applications throughout the year, but operate closing dates to manage applications before the next term. Admissions are managed in-house and the application form can be found below. Please email the completed form to ladybirdadmissions@royal-kent.surrey.sch.uk.

Our admissions criteria are detailed in our Admissions Policy. Once the closing date has past, all applications are reviewed against these criteria and available places are offered accordingly. Unsuccessful applicants will be offered to remain on our waiting list and should a place become available, we will contact the next child on the list.

Please note, admissions for the main school are managed through Surrey CC Admissions, independently of us. It is important to understand that a Nursery place does NOT automatically ensure a Reception class place. Parents must apply via Surrey CC when their child reaches statutory school age.

Throughout the year we hold open mornings where prospective families are able to experience school life and in particular experience our Nursery and Early Years setting. As a busy primary school, it is difficult to support individual tours so we politely ask that you attend a scheduled Open Morning wherever possible.

Our intakes and deadlines

Our main intake into Ladybird Nursery is in September, as many of our current children move onto Reception resulting in the most places being available. If we do not fill all the places in September then we can take in additional children in January, and possibly even April. If your child is not able to start in the autumn term then you can have a place on our waiting list to start at the beginning of a future term, or if a place becomes vacant in the meantime.

Settling in and starting 

Once you have been offered a place and you have a start date, we will invite your child to attend for a short settling in session, where they can play and begin to feel comfortable within the new setting. This is an ideal time for you to share information about your child with the teaching team, and ask any other questions you may have. All children and families are unique and your own individual needs are taken into account throughout the settling in process. 

Further information

For more information on our admissions criteria please refer to our Admissions Policy & Terms and Conditions below. Applications for 2026-27 could be submitted using the application form below and sent to ladybirdadmissions@royal-kent.surrey.sch.uk  

For children starting Nursery during the academic year 2026-27

Application form 2026/2027 - editable version (word)

Application form 2026/2027 - pdf version

Ladybird Nursery Admissions Policy 2026-27

Ladybird Nursery Terms and Conditions 2026-27