Maintained nursery places
Stockport has range of maintained nursery settings from nursery classes attached to primary schools to 4 standalone nursery schools.
You'll need to apply to us if you want your child to get a place at a maintained nursery.
All of the maintained nursery places that we allocate are for 15 hours. The nursery can then choose to offer any further hours if they have capacity.
If you're applying to a private provider, you'll need to apply directly to them.
Find more information about early years and childcare.
September 2026 intake
To apply for a September 2026 start, your child must have been born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023.
The closing date for maintained nursery places is 31 March 2026. We'll send you an email with information about the outcome of your application on 19 May 2026.
If you apply after 31 March 2026 your application will be processed after 19 May 2026.
Early intake
You'll automatically be considered for the early intake if your child is born between the dates below and if you apply by the deadlines below.
- if the child is born between 1 September 2022 and 31 December 2022
- considered for a place starting January 2026
- deadline to apply by 31 October 2025
- you'll receive your offer end of November 2025
If you apply after 31 October 2025 your child will not be considered for a nursery place for January 2026 but will be considered for the subsequent April and September 2026 intakes.
- if the child is born between 1 September 2022 and 31 March 2023
- considered for a place starting April 2026
- deadline to apply by 15 February 2026
- you'll receive your offer beginning of March 2026
If you apply after 15 February 2026 your child will not be considered for a nursery place for April 2026 but will be processed as part of the subsequent September 2026 intake.
Some nurseries may choose not to have an early intake if they do not have places available.
If you have not been contacted, you will not be offered an early intake, however you'll be still considered for a September 2025 place. You do not need to re-apply.
Admissions criteria
Find out about our admissions criteria.
The nursery that your child attends will not affect your application for a reception place.
Offer Day
For information about receiving offers for nursery places, visit our offer day webpage.