Merton Best Start Family Hub

16/09/2026

🎒 Free school uniform for Merton families 👕📚

Merton Council, in partnership with Donate to Educate, has a large surplus of brand-new school uniforms and school kit available for free to local families in need.

Uniform is available to families who are eligible for free school meals and includes boys’ shirts and trousers, girls’ blouses and skirts, cardigans and jumpers (limited stock), a range of ages, sizes and school levels.

📍 Collection dates and locations:

📅 Friday 18 September | 1pm–4.30pm
Best Start Family Hub at Acacia, 230 Grove Road, CR4 1SD

📅 Monday 21 September | 9am–12pm
Ivy Gardens Children Centre, Ivy Gardens, Mitcham, CR4 1BR

📅 Wednesday 23 & Thursday 24 September | 3pm–7pm
Phipps Bridge Youth Centre, Cobham Court, Haslemere Avenue, CR4 3PR

📅 Wednesday 30 September | 1pm–4.30pm
Lavender Steers Mead Children’s Centre, Lavender Park Pavilion, CR4 3HL

Please bring proof of residence in Merton or proof of attendance at a Merton school.

💙 If your family is eligible for free school meals, this could be a great opportunity to get new school uniform at no cost.

For more info: https://buff.ly/SYQKdtw

16/09/2026

Secondary School applications are now open!
⏰ Closing date: 31 October 2026 ⏰

All of Merton's Secondary Schools have open evenings or mornings coming up soon. Please contact the schools for more details and any booking requirements:

🏫 Harris Academy Merton - 17 September (www.harrismerton.org.uk)
🏫 Harris Academy Morden - 1 October (www.harrismorden.org.uk)
🏫 Harris Academy Wimbledon - mornings 17, 22, 29 September (www.harriswimbledon.org.uk)
🏫 Raynes Park High School - 24 September (www.rphs.org.uk)
🏫 Ricards Lodge - 22 September (www.ricardslodge.merton.sch.uk)
🏫 Rutlish School - 17 September (www.rutlish.merton.sch.uk)
🏫 St Mark's Academy - 23 September (www.stmarks.anthemtrust.uk)
🏫 Ursuline High School - 23 September (www.ursulinehigh.merton.sch.uk)
🏫 Wimbledon College - 24 September (www.wimbledoncollege.org.uk)

Apply Information about making an application to transfer from primary to secondary school. For children with dates of birth between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016. Apply online Last year 99% of applicants applied online. We recommend that you apply online via the link below: Apply now on the e...

07/09/2026

Its Zero Waste Week!

🌍 CBeebies has some great tips on how to get your children recycling ♻️

Use our easy tips and ideas to help encourage recycling in your family home.

06/09/2026

Children’s Centre Service INSET Week

Our children’s centre staff will be attending training from Monday 7 to Friday 11 September 2026.

Because of this, there will be no drop-in groups or programmes during this time.
Services will begin again on Monday 14 September 2026.

We are sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding

Our children's centres offer services for parents and carers from pregnancy through to the end of their child's reception year at school.

03/09/2026

01/09/2026

This September, take part in Snack-tember, an initiative from the British Nutrition Foundation, which promotes healthier, more sustainable snacking for children and young people!

Take a look at the Parent/carer snacking guide for more information 👇

01/09/2026

👶 CHILDCARE VACANCIES SEPTEMBER 2026 👶

Ofsted registered childcare providers - promote your vacancies here! Simply leave a comment on this post. State your name, your location, contact details and provide a brief summary of your current vacancies 👇

Parents looking for childcare - please contact providers directly for more information about their vacancies. Posts are refreshed each month

31/08/2026

Children’s Centre Service INSET Week

Our children’s centre staff will be attending training from Monday 7 to Friday 11 September 2026.

Because of this, there will be no drop-in groups or programmes during this time.
Services will begin again on Monday 14 September 2026.

We are sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

Our children's centres offer services for parents and carers from pregnancy through to the end of their child's reception year at school.

27/08/2026

🎶 One week left to Read to the Beat!

There’s just 1 week left to complete this year’s Summer Reading Challenge: Read to the Beat – bringing music and storytelling together for a summer packed with reading fun!

There’s still time to get involved:
🎟️ Sign up at your local Merton Library
📚 Read 6 library books
🏅 Earn a medal and certificate
🎁 Be entered into our prize draw for the chance to win fantastic prizes

Don’t miss out – get reading and complete the challenge before it ends!

Find out more: https://buff.ly/p6hct69