St. Marie’s RC Primary offers Nursery Education sessions for 3 and 4 year olds.

Your child is entitled to receive 15 hours free Nursery Education the school term after their 3rd birthday.

The Nursery Education sessions are Term Time only and times are as follows:

Morning session –  8.45 -11.45 am

Afternoon session –  12 noon – 3.00pm

Some children may be entitled to receive 30 hours free Nursery Education dependent on eligibility. This is for parents that are both in employment. 30 hour placements are Monday to Friday 8.45am-2.45pm (please see the separate section detailed 30 hours). As school is open until 3.05 pm if you wish for your child to access additional hours to top up your Nursery session these are payable on request.

From September 2017 the Government is doubling the free childcare entitlement for some 3-4 year olds. All families will continue to receive 15 hours free childcare, but those who meet the Government’s new eligibility criteria will receive an additional 15 hours, making a total of 30 hours.

Summary of the eligibility criteria

What is the free childcare deal?

From September 2017, many working parents of 3 & 4 year olds in England will be eligible for 30 hours of free childcare rather than the present 15 hours. This is 30 hours free for only 38 weeks per year and not 52 weeks for the year, which is the equivalent to school term times.

Will my child get it?

Not necessarily, as not everyone is eligible, though everyone will still receive the 15 hours free childcare that is currently available.

Eligibility rules for 30 hours free childcare

• Your child will be aged 3 or 4 when the scheme starts in your area
• Both parents must be working – or the sole parent is working in a lone parent family
• Each parent earns, on average, a weekly minimum equivalent to 16 hours at National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage
• Each parent must have an annual income of less than £100,000
• You must live in England

How much is the equivalent of 16 hours at National Minimum Wage?

It depends on your age. For this scheme, the minimum amount will always reflect the lowest hourly rate that a person of your age can legally be paid. Therefore, currently for a parent aged 21-24, you would need to earn a weekly average of at least £111.20. For a parent aged 25+, you would need to earn a weekly average of at least £115.20

What is one parent in a couple is not working?

This is a scheme to help working parents, so families where one parent doesn’t work, or both parents don’t work, you will usually not be eligible for these additional 15 hours.

However, if one parent isn’t working because they’re an official carer (receiving benefits relating to being a carer) or they are receiving disability benefits, and the other parent is working, then the Government has stated it “intends to make provision” to support these families.

There is also additional entitlement if the parent normally works but is temporarily away from the workplace, for example, on statutory sick pay.

If you have any questions then please contact Mrs Barber, School Business Manager, on 0161 764 3204.

NOTE – Eligibility codes must be applied for and received by 31st August for September intake and by 31st December for January intake. Proof will be required of date applied for and code received when applying for places.

St. Marie’s RC Primary  offers fee paying places for children who are not eligible for a Government funded place. Please contact the School Business Manager for details of availability and the Fee Paying Charging Policy. Email – stmaries@bury.gov.uk or telephone 0161 764 3204.

For morning and full time children you will have a choice of whether you provide your child with a packed lunch or pay for a school dinner – pricing for 2025/2026 is £13.50 per week – please speak with the School Business Manager for further details.

If your child has a place in our Nursery, or you would like to learn more about our EYFS provision, please click here. You will find a welcome from our EYFS Leader, information about life in Nursery and Reception, an overview of the EYFS curriculum, and guidance on how we help children grow, learn and prepare for school.