Browse the siteDay nurseries
For babies as young as 6 weeks 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.
Pre-schools
Typically children can start at a pre-school from age 2 or 2 and a half (depending on the provider). Most offer sessions for around 3 hours in the morning, although some do also offer afternoons. 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.
Free Early Years Education for under 5's
From September 2024, from the term after a child turns 9 months, eligible working parents will be entitled to 15 hours per week free childcare or early years education. Parents claiming certain benefits can get 15 hours per week of free childcare from the term after a child turns 2 years old. From the term after they turn 3 all children are entitled 15 hours per week 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.
The full detail can be found by following the FAQ link from here: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
Nursery Schools/Classes
Children rising 4 (i.e. in the school year that they turn 4) 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. 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. 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. Most of the schools are now offering sup 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.
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. Primary Schools in Hertfordshire take children up to the age of 11 (Year 6). Some of the Primary Schools locally are split into separate Infant and Junior Schools - infant taking children from age 4-7, and Junior from age 7-11. In addition to Local Authority Primary Schools, a number of Independent Schools are available in the area.
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. At age 14 (Year 10) for there is the option for a student to move to a more specialist University Technical College (UTC) to complete their studies. All the local Secondary Schools offer an optional Sixth Form for two years following the completion of Year 11. Alternatively there are several local Colleges offering learning opportunities from age 16+.
There are also a number of Independent Schools locally offering Secondary level education.
Applying for Local Authority Schools
Applications for Primary Schools and Secondary Schools should be made through Hertfordshire County 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 Hertfordshire County Council 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 cirumstances. See the Herts County Council site for more details. You can also find more information on the The Family and Childcare Trust website.
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.
