Admissions
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Prospective parents and carers are welcome to visit Cayley at any time but are encouraged to visit the school whilst the children are learning, in order to see the various activities taking place and the high standards of work being achieved first hand.
Appointments should be made by calling the school office.
There is more information about the school, our vision and what we offer, in our prospectus.
Our admissions policy is set by Tower Hamlets Local Authority, there is more information about school admissions on their website.
Nursery Admissions
How to apply?
If your child was born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023 and you would like a Nursery place for September 2026, you must apply online via the eAdmissions portal.
The closing date for Nursery applications is 14 February 2026. All applications submitted before this date are considered equally, and are not processed on a first come first served basis.
It is very important not to apply late, because applications made after the closing date will be considered only after places have been allocated to children whose families applied on time.
If your child turns three during the 2025/26 school year, you may apply for a nursery place for the term following their third birthday i.e. January 2026 or April 2026.
Please contact The School Admissions Service on school.admissions@towerhamlets.gov.uk for more information.
Notification of decisions
If your application was received on or before the closing date, The School Admissions Service will notify you of the outcome by email after 5pm on 7 May 2026 and will name the nursery at which your child has been offered a place.
This offer will be for a part-time place only. Once you have been offered a part-time place you may request a full time place from your nursery.
If you have not been offered a place at your chosen nurseries, you will be sent a list of nurseries that still have places remaining and given the opportunity to visit and apply to one of these nurseries. Your child will also be placed on the waiting list for your preferred nursery.
You must accept or decline the offer of a place by 21 May 2026 otherwise the offer will be withdrawn.
Funded entitlements
All children are eligible for 15 hours a week universal funded entitlements over a 38 week year (term time only), the term after their third birthday. This continues until the child reaches compulsory school age or moves to into reception class.
Extended 15 hours for working parents
Working parents may be able to access additional 15 hours (30 hours in total) if they meet the eligibility criteria. Parents must earn at least the national minimum of living wage for 16 hours a week and less than £100,000 a year. For more information on this and other support towards childcare cost we suggest you visit Childcare Choices. Once your child has been offered the 15 hours place you may request additional hours but these will be subject to availability and eligibility (HMRC eligibility code).
On occasion, if there are spaces available and parents are not eligible for the additional free 15 hours they may still access a full time place by paying a top-up fee of £30.00 per session.
Children with the 30 hour code are subject to paying an additional £4.00 per hour to cover the additional hour in school (15 x AM hours, 15 x PM hours, plus 5 additional hours)
Reception Admissions
Starting Reception in September 2026
If your child was born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022 you will need to apply online for your child to start in the Reception class in September 2026. Even if your child attends Cayley Primary School. The closing date for making applications is 15 January 2026. For more information please visit the Tower Hamlets Admissions website.
National Offer Day
Parents will be able to view the outcome of their application on the evening of 16 April 2026 by visiting the eadmissions portal.