Browse the siteLast updated: April 2023
Day nurseries
For babies as young as 6 weeks up to age 5 childcare options are available from a wide range of day nurseries. Day nurseries are usually open from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm all year, but hours do vary. Children can attend on a full or part-time basis, but some settings will have a minimum required number of days/sessions. Day nurseries are open to admissions at any time.
Pre-schools
Typically children can start at a pre-school from age 2 or 2 and a half (depending on the provider), though some now take from as young as 18 months. Most offer sessions for around 3 hours in the morning or afternoon and some offer lunch club. Pre-schools usually operate term-time only. The number of sessions your child can attend is flexible to suit your needs (subject to availability) although some providers will set a minimum. Pre-school will typically accept new children at the start of a term, but may be flexible and able to accept admissions at other times if space allows.
Free Early Years Education for 2, 3 and 4 year olds
From the term after a child turns 2, families in receipt of Government support may be entitled to 15 hours free childcare or early years education. From the term after they turn 3 all children are entitled 15 hours of free early years education and some families may be entitled to up to 30 hours. Funded places are provided during term-time until they start full-time school. This entitlement can be taken up at a nursery school, day nursery, playgroup, pre-school or childminder. See our listings for local providers but please note that some don't offer this free entitlement and set their own fees, so it's important to check this out before making any arrangements. Those settings who are in the free-entitlement scheme are allowed to charge for additional goods and services, such as lunch or trips. You can check your eligibility and apply for funding via the Government's Childcare Choices website.
As of April 2024, all children two years and up will be entitled to 15 hours free childcare a week. From September 2024, children from nine months up will benefit from 15 free hours of childcare a week then from September 2025, all children from nine months up will be eligible for 30 hours free childcare. You can find out more information regarding childcare funding here.
Nursery Schools/Classes
Children rising 3 (i.e. in the school year that they turn 3) can apply for a place at a local-authority-run nursery school/class. Many local nursery schools run either morning or afternoon sessions, five days a week during term-time, though most now also offer some form of wrap-around provision to suit working parents. Applications are made directly to each individual school, usually in the Spring term prior to the starting date. You can apply for a place at any school but places are allocated by based on each school's admissions criteria, which will be published on their website. Keep an eye on our Open Days page for details of the timing of the application process and how to book visits to the nurseries.
Most of the schools are now offering up to 30 hours of childcare in some form and this will be free for those eligible for the Government's 30 hours free childcare scheme. The format of the offering and number of places available varies by school and each has it's own eligibility criteria so you should discuss this option with each school.
Some local private pre-schools and nurseries (also listed in our Pre-school and Nursery Schools sections) also cater for children in this age group and can offer more flexible sessions.
Primary Schools
Children rising 5 (i.e. in the school year that they turn 5) can start Primary School, but statutory school age is from the term after their fifth birthday. As long as you are registered with the local Health Visitor (via your GP) you will automatically be sent information when the time comes to make your application. The application process usually runs from November to January. Primary Schools in Southend take children up to the age of 11 (Year 6). Some of the Primary Schools locally are split into separate Infant and Junior Schools - Infants taking children from age 4-7, and Junior from age 7-11.
If your child needs to move to Junior school you will have to apply for a place at the Junior school when your child is in Year 2. You will be notified. The process runs at the same time of year as the Reception admissions process. For most people this is just a formality and their child moves up to the Junior school associated with their current Infant school, but even if this is the case you must go through admissions process to secure your place.
In addition to Local Authority Primary Schools, a number of Independent Schools are available in the area. Independent Schools vary in their provision with some offering nursery or pre-prep from age 3 or 4.
Secondary Schools and Colleges
From Year 7 onwards (the school year that the child turns 12) until the end of Year 11 (the school year that the child turns 16), they attend Secondary School. The admissions process for Secondary School runs in the Autumn term that your child is in Year 6. Southend City Council will send details of the process via your child's Primary School at the end of Year 5.
There are also a number of Independent Schools locally offering Secondary level education. Most Independent Schools require prospective students to sit an entrance exam. You should contact the school to find out their requirements and when exams need to be taken.
Applying for Local Authority Schools
Applications for Primary Schools and Secondary Schools should be made through Southend City Council the school year before your child is due to start. More details on the school application process can also be found in our School Admissions and Appeals section or on the Southend City Website.
Applications to Nursery Schools are made directly through the school.
Help with the cost of childcare
There is additional funding available to help with the cost of childcare for children in specific circumstances. See the government site for more details.
Tell Ofsted what you think about your child's school
Parent View gives parents the chance to tell Ofsted what you think about your child's school – whether it's doing a great job, or if you have any concerns. Parent View also lets you see what other parents think of any school in England - a useful source of information to make an informed choice about the best school for your child.
Parents can access Parent View on the Ofsted website at any time of the year, not just when a school is being inspected.
