How to Apply

Before you apply we recommend that you come and visit us to find out if we are the best fit for your child’s needs.

To make an appointment to visit, contact us via email childrensbookings@stmaryislington.org or call 0207 704 2873. 

If you decide to apply for a place you will need to register on our bookings database and supply us with the necessary information for us to allocate a place for your child. Following registration, we will get in touch to discuss the availability of places and starting dates. 

Register here

We aim to offer places for requested sessions but cannot guarantee matching the request with an offer. To allocate places for future term vacancies we operate with application deadlines. The applications received by the deadline for future term vacancies will be assessed against our admissions criteria and places will be offered after the relevant deadline.

Future term deadline are detailed below:

  • Autumn term (September to December) applications need to be submitted by 30 April 2026

  • Spring term (January –April) applications need to be submitted by 15 September 2026

  • Summer term (April – July) applications need to be submitted by 15 January 2026

Vacant places for future terms will be allocated by applying our admissions criteria. Late applications for future terms may still be considered in the event of remaining vacancies and will be allocated according to the admissions criteria. We are a term time only setting.

Free Early Learning

Have you applied for your two-year-old funding from the government? You do not have to be working to apply for this.

We offer free early learning hours, 15 hours or 30 hours for children aged 2 - 5year olds for 38weeks. All parents, however, will have to apply, as this is based on your personal circumstances. There is more information to help you on Childcare & Early Years Education | Best Start in Life, FIS childcare support. 

All parents/carers within the household would have to be earning a minimum of £100k per year to qualify for 30 hours. You will receive a code, which you will then need to give to us to verify if you are eligible to have a place at our setting. Further information about free childcare is on the Islington website.

If you would like to talk to a member of our team for further help, please call us on 020 7 704 2873 or e-mail childrensbookings@stmaryislington.org.

There is a range of schemes available to help parents with childcare costs, which support parents to take up training and employment and enable children to experience an enriching childcare environment. Numerous studies and local evidence show that high-quality childcare and early education support children’s development and prepares them to thrive at school and in later life.

Bright Start Islington - Free early learning and childcare is increasing. Find out more information on this leaflet

Costs outside of free entitlement

Two year olds = £13 per hour
Three to five year olds = £12 per hour
Ad hoc / late bookings = £10 per hour

A month's deposit is required for full-paying or contracted-hour payments only. You will be informed in your offer letter if this applies to you.  

Parents are responsible for bringing in packed lunches for their children 

Everyone is asked to donate a piece of fruit to share during snack times.

Session times

  • Full seven hour day: 9am to 4pm

  • Full six hour day: 9am to 3pm (30 hours available for all families that are paying or have an eligibility working parent code)

  • Three hour morning session: 9am to 12 noon

  • Lunchtime additional hours: 12pm to 1pm (subject to availability)

  • Three hour afternoon session: 1pm to 4pm

  • 3pm to 4pm can be booked as an additional end of day session

We take ad-hoc extra session bookings in addition to regular bookings, subject to availability. These are charged at £12/hr for 3-4 year olds or £13/hr for 2 year olds

The minimum weekly booking is 15 hours.

  • We take ad-hock extra session bookings in addition to regular bookings subject to availability. These are charged at £12/hr.

Once you are registered with us, you can book sessions and extra hours using our booking system, accessed by contacting the preschool team via WhatsApp group 07935399872 or calling 02077042873