Thank you for your interest in Ballyclare Nursery School. For further information about applying for a place for your child please have a look at information on this page. If you would like any other information then please contact us and we will be happy to help.
When is my child due to start Nursery School?
Your child needs to have had their 3rd birthday before the 1st July in order to start Nursery School in the following September. The application process generally opens around the beginning of January the year your child is due to start. This is now done online on the Education Authority Website. Further information will be available around the time the application process begins. We also hold an ‘Open Afternoon' in December, so that you may bring your child to visit and look around our school. You will also be able to get further information about applying for a place. Please keep an eye on our ‘School Website’ during November for more information regarding applying for a place for your child and for the date of our ‘Open Afternoon’.
Key Dates for the application process for a place in September 2025
Thursday 5 December 2024
Admissions criteria for Pre-schools published on the EA website.
Friday 10 January 2025 – at 12 noon
EA Connect opens for online applications for pre-school, submitting verification/supporting documents.
Friday 24 January 2025 – at 12 noon
EA Connect closes for online punctual applications for pre-school.
Wednesday 29 January 2025 – by 4pm
Deadline for submitting verification/supporting documents via EA Connect. Final date for late applications.
Wednesday 9 April 2025
Notification of (Stage 1) outcome for Target Age application via email where one is held or by letter.
Wednesday 9 April 2025
Pre-School Stage 2 Admissions application opens.
Friday 18 April 2025 (by 4pm)
Deadline for Pre-School Stage 2 application/preference(s)/documents:
Additional preferences (treated as punctual) from applicants who are engaging in Stage 2 for a child(ren) not selected in Stage 1; or New 1st time Target age application or pre-school application related to a Late P1 Deferral (treated as punctual); or New 1st time Underage application (treated as late); or Additional preference from an applicant who declined a Stage 1 offer (treated as late). Tuesday 10 June 2025
Notification of (Stage 2) outcome (includes Underage application) via email where one is held or by letter.
