When to apply for infants school?

[likelucklove]

Does anyone know the earliest you can apply for an infants school place?

My DD is one month old but the school in our catchment is the best in the city, over subscribed and there are lots of new houses being built in the catchment area! I know I'm probably too early to be worrying and I definitely don't want to wish her baby life away I just need some guidance really.

TIA!

Definitely too early! Usually applications start from the September the year before they are due to start. Early application will not make a difference to whether your application is a success as this is not one of the determining criteria - as far as I know! If you haven't done already check out the school's admissions procedure so you know what you are up against.

If it is a state school, you can't apply early. And as long as you meet the deadline for her age group (usually January before the September she would start reception) the timing of your application will make no difference - your distance from the school is usually the crucial factor.

Fab thanks for your help! Thought I might have been too early. I will email the LEA, don't want to ring them and then hear them laughing when they ask how old she is!

We are actually over the road from the school but it's a village with lots of babies and I know they only have two classes with 10-15 in each.

Thanks again!