The Russell School

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Ofsted

Reception & Nursery Admissions - Applications for September 2026 

Reception & Nursery Open Days for Admission 2026

If you're looking at admissions for September 2026, the school has scheduled Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) open days on the following dates:

  • Wednesday 24 September 9:30am FULL
  • Friday 3 October 9:30am FULL
  • Thursday 16 October 9:30am FULL
  • Tuesday 4 November 1:30pm FULL
  • NEW DATE Friday 14 November 10:30am FULL
  • Tuesday 18 November 1:30pm FULL
  • Thursday 4 December 9:30am FULL
  • NEW DATE Friday 5 December 1:30pm
  • Thursday 8 January 2026 1:30pm
  • Tuesday 20 January 2026 9:30am - NURSERY ONLY
  • Monday 9 February 2026 9:30am - NURSERY ONLY

Come and meet Claire Pitt, Headteacher, and The Russell School Early Years team for a tour of the school. Booking Required: Call the school office to book. Walk-ins are not accepted.

If you can’t attend any of these dates, you're encouraged to contact the school to arrange an alternative visit.

Starting Reception September 2026

If your child was born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022, they are due to start primary school in September 2026.

Starting Nursery at The Russell School September 2026

Children born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023 will be eligible to start in the Nursery class at a Hertfordshire school in September 2026.

How to Apply for Nursery

  • Application opens: 26 January 2026
  • Application deadline: 26 February 2026
  • Offers made: 10 March 2026
  • Deadline to accept offer: 20 March 2026

Please return completed application forms directly to the school. Do not send them to Hertfordshire School Admissions. The application form will be made available closer to the time. 

Note: Some schools may still have places available after the closing date – please check with the school directly.

You can apply to more than one school, but you must submit a separate application form to each nursery you are applying to.

Nursery Hours and Funding

All children are entitled to 15 hours of free Nursery education per week, starting in the September after their third birthday.

At The Russell School, we offer 30 hours of Nursery provision, running from 9:00am to 3:00pm, Monday to Friday.

Working families who meet specific eligibility criteria may be entitled to an additional 15 hours of free childcare, giving a total of 30 hours per week. Apply for 30 Hours Free Childcare – GOV.UK

Check your eligibility and apply here

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