DUCKS Kindergarten and Infants' School - Admissions

DUCKS is an independent Co-Educational Kindergarten and Infants' School and is one of the five schools of Dulwich College. Attendance at DUCKS is term-time only and the main point of entry is at the beginning of the academic year in September.

Kindergarten: Age 6 months to 2 years entry

In the Kindergarten, our main points of entry are the Baby Room, Toddler Room and the Duckling Room. Places are full-time and offered by date of registration.

Infants: Age 3 to 6 entry

In the Infants' School we have full-time places at Pre-Reception (3+) and Reception (4+), and occasional places at Year 1 (5+) and Year 2 (6+). At 3+ places are offered by date of registration and at 4+, 5+ and 6+ entry is via assessment.

At 4+ applicants have the opportunity to gain a deferred Year 3 place at the Junior School.

Kindergarten and Pre-Reception (3+)
Reception (4+), Year 1 and 2

Kindergarten and Pre-Reception (3+)

Visiting Kindergarten and Pre-Reception (3+)

Kindergarten tours are available most Thursday mornings during the second half of the Michaelmas term, throughout the Lent term and during the first half of the summer term.

Pre-Reception (3+) tours are available most Wednesday mornings during the second half of the Lent term and during the summer term.

Please contact the Registrar to book a visit.

Entry Procedures

Entry points	Date of Birth	Status
Ducklings 2026	01/09/2023 - 31/08/2024	Closed
Toddlers 2026	01/09/2024 – 31/08/2025	Closed
Ducklings 2027	01/09/2024 - 31/08/2025	Closed
Toddlers 2027	01/09/2025 - 31/08/2026	Please contact Registrar
Early Years
Pre-Reception (3+) 2026	01/09/2022 – 31/08/2023	Closed
Pre-Reception (3+) 2027	01/09/2023 – 31/08/2024	Closed
Pre-Reception (3+) 2028	01/09/2024 – 31/08/2025	Please contact Registrar

Kindergarten (Baby Room from 6 months, Toddler Room 12/18 months and Duckling Room 2+)

Places in the Kindergarten are limited and our waiting lists are therefore short. Available full-time places are offered strictly in order of when children are registered and offering takes place during January and February prior to the year of entry. Each year we typically offer:

Baby Room – 6 full-time places
Toddler Room – an additional 8 full-time places (14 in total)
Duckling Room – an additional 10 full-time places (24 in total)

Families are encouraged to visit the Kindergarten before registering and please contact the Registrar to book a tour. The date of registration is the date of initial contact/enquiry and a £150 registration fee is charged.

Pre-Reception (3+)

Entry to Pre-Reception is by waiting list and each year we offer approximately 10/12 places across two classes. Offering takes place during December and January prior to the year of entry.

Places are offered strictly in order of when families register and the children are invited to visit the school before an offer is made. A small group of children will visit the classroom to familiarise themselves with our Early Years’ setting. At the same time, our Early Years' team will be able to observe each child’s readiness for learning.

Siblings of current DUCKS pupils are given priority when places are offered in the Kindergarten and at Pre-Reception.

Reception (4+), Year 1 and 2

Visits and Entry Procedures

Visiting the Infants' School

Reception (4+)

Reception (4+) tours take place during the Michaelmas term prior to the year of entry and can be booked online once 4+ registration opens.

Year 1 (5+) and Year 2 (6+)

During the Michaelmas term, families wishing to apply for a KS1 place the following September may contact the Registrar for a bespoke 5+ and 6+ tour, once registration opens.

Entry Procedures

Entry points	Date of Birth	Status
Reception (4+) 2026	01/09/2021 – 31/08/2022	Opens in May 2025
Reception (4+) 2027	01/09/2022 – 31/08/2023	Opens in May 2026
Reception (4+) 2028	01/09/2023 – 31/08/2024	Opens in May 2027
KS1 (Chance Vacancies)
Year 1 2026	01/09/2020 – 31/08/2021	Please contact Registrar
Year 2 2026	01/09/2019 – 31/08/2020	Please contact Registrar

Reception (4+)

Entry to Reception is via assessment and online registration opens 16 months in advance. Each year we offer between 25-30 places across three classes. Assessments take place across two Saturdays during the previous Michaelmas term prior to the point of entry. Children are seen in small groups according to their date of birth, ensuring we account for age related developmental differences in performance. A team of adults will encourage the children to engage in activities within a stimulating learning environment, observing both their levels of engagement and how well they play alongside other children, thus ensuring they would thrive within the current Pre-Reception cohort.

For boys who perform strongly, and demonstrate an above average ability across all areas of learning during their 4+ assessment, there is the further possibility of them being offered a deferred Year 3 place at the Junior School in September 2028, in addition to their 4+ place at DUCKS.

Year 1 (5+) and Year 2 (6+)

Occasional places may become available at Year 1 and Year 2 and the 5+ and 6+ assessments take place during the Michaelmas term, prior to the year of entry. The Assessments will last approximately 45 minutes and will be led by our Deputy Head and Head of KS1. The children will join the teachers in the classroom and will be invited to take part in activities similar to those already familiar to them from their current Reception class setting.

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In This Section

DUCKS Kindergarten and Infants' School (6 months to Year 2)

Kindergarten: Age 6 months to 2 years entry

Infants: Age 3 to 6 entry

DUCKS Life

DUCKS Life

Kindergarten and Pre-Reception (3+)

Visiting Kindergarten and Pre-Reception (3+)

Entry Procedures

Kindergarten (Baby Room from 6 months, Toddler Room 12/18 months and Duckling Room 2+)

Pre-Reception (3+)

Reception (4+), Year 1 and 2

Visits and Entry Procedures

Visiting the Infants' School

Reception (4+)

Year 1 (5+) and Year 2 (6+)

Entry Procedures

Reception (4+)

Year 1 (5+) and Year 2 (6+)

Reception (4+) 2026 Open Morning and Tours

Reception (4+) 2026 Open Morning and Tours

Reception (4+) 2026 Assessment

Reception (4+) 2026 Assessment

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Contact the Registrar

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