NEW DELHI: The nursery admission season is not here yet but Swati Mehra is already looking at options for her daughter since the admission race has begun in NCR. Some schools have started registrations and many have released their admission schedules.

"My daughter is October-born and doesn't fit the minimum age criteria in many schools here. So I started looking early," says Swati. The minimum age criteria vary across schools, leading to confusion among parents. Swati's daughter is a first child which means she doesn't benefit from 'sibling points' also.

The nursery admissions in NCR have become of interest to parents and many block seats for their kids in case they don't get through any school in Delhi. "A lot of new schools are coming up in NCR with facilities like horse riding and swimming pools. Most also offer international boards," says Sumit Vohra of admissionsnursery.com. Admission in these schools is considered easier as they are not regulated by the directorate of education, Delhi, and don't follow a fixed schedule or procedure.

Lotus Valley International, Gurgaon, wanted to give siblings of children enrolled with them priority for nursery seats and had asked parents to apply in this category on August 1 and 2. "Since we consider siblings as members of the extended Lotus Valley family, we are pleased to begin the admission process for them on priority for pre-nursery and nursery," says a notice from the principal. Admissions for 'general public' will begin at the end of August.

Swati, who is exploring options in Gurgaon, says Kunskapsskolan "is offering registration to any parent who is visiting now and will give priority." Somerville International Preparatory School and Delhi Public School, Gautam Buddh Nagar have opened registration for nursery admissions for the year 2014-15.

(Names have been changed to conceal identity)