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Resources for starting or returning to nursery or school

Updated 17 June 2026

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2026

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immunisations-resources-for-schools/resources-for-starting-or-returning-to-nursery-or-school

When your child starts nursery or starts at a new school, they will be learning and playing with more children. If they are not up to date with their childhood jabs, they could be at risk of catching preventable diseases.

Nursery

When your child starts nursery:

  1. Visit the nursery.
  2. Arrange settling in sessions.
  3. Check vaccines are up to date.

Primary and secondary school

When your child starts school:

  1. Buy uniform.
  2. Get school shoes.
  3. Check pre-school jabs are up to date.

Vaccination

Pre-school jabs include:

  • measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox vaccine (MMRV) at 1 year
  • MMRV at 18 months
  • dTaP/IPV booster at 3 years 4 months

Check their personal health record (Red Book) and contact their GP surgery to ensure your child has had all their routine vaccinations. To get the best protection for your child, they need to have had 2 doses of MMRV vaccine and be up to date with all their routine vaccinations.

For a full checklist of all the vaccines and the ages at which they should ideally be given, see vaccinations on NHS.UK.

Order or download print copies

This resource is available in poster and postcard formats that are free to order or download.

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