Table of contents
Table of contents
Here you will find useful nursery facts including the most commonly asked questions about day nurseries and other types of childcare in the UK. This includes frequently asked questions that families have about nurseries, including types of early years settings and government-funded free childcare.
When it comes to childcare in the UK, it can be confusing when trying to understand what support is available and what you are entitled to. For example, you may wonder what the differences between day nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools are.
Putting your child in nursery can be hugely difficult due to the separation. You want to make sure your child receives the best possible care and support during their early years.
Facts about childcare and nurseries
What is a nursery?
A nursery is a setting registered to provide professional early years education and childcare for children aged between six weeks and five years. Nursery is a general term that covers different types of early years settings, from day nurseries to pre-schools.
What is taught in nursery?
At nursery, children learn through play and are taught early literacy, language and maths skills. They are also inspired to develop their creativity and social skills through a variety of activities. Each country in the UK has its own national curriculum which covers different areas of learning.
In England, nurseries follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This has seven areas of learning, including communication and language, physical development, personal, social and emotional development and understanding the world.
What are the different types of nurseries?
The different types of nurseries include day nurseries, pre-schools, independent nursery schools, private nursery schools, state-funded nursery schools and children’s centres.
Nurseries follow different approaches to early years learning/ such as Montessori or Reggio Emilia. This affects what facilities and resources are available, the layout of the setting and how sessions are structured.
What is the difference between a nursery and a nursery school?
The main difference between a nursery and a nursery school is that a nursery school has a trained teacher or headteacher in charge. A nursery school provides more structured, educational activities than a regular nursery.
Nursery schools put a stronger focus on preparing children for the transition to primary school. Read more
What is a pre-school?
Pre-schools are early years settings which offer a more structured environment than day nurseries. They provide education for children aged two to five years old. They are usually open during school term times only during school hours (9am-3pm Monday to Friday). Read more
What is a Montessori nursery?
A Montessori nursery will follow the national curriculum but teach it using the Montessori approach. This puts children into a prepared learning environment where they can freely choose the activities they want to do.
Originally developed by Italian physician Dr Maria Montessori, the teaching method allows children to make their own choices. They can learn and develop at their own pace, guided by trained teachers.
What is Forest School?
Forest School is an approach to learning where children spend their time outdoors, whatever the weather, to explore and learn about the natural environment. Children spend all day outside and learn through play, guided by trained practitioners.
Some nurseries offer full Forest School provision, while others provide it as a long-term learning programme as regular sessions during the four seasons.
What is wrap around childcare?
Wrap around childcare means that a setting will provide childcare outside of its normal hours, for example through breakfast clubs or after school childcare. This can allow parents to drop their children off before work and pick them up on their way home.
How do I find a nursery?
To find a nursery, decide which type of nursery setting will work best for your child and your preferred location. daynurseries.co.uk lists all registered nurseries in the UK and you can search the site to read reviews about nurseries near you.
What age do children start nursery?
Although many nurseries offer places for babies aged six weeks and over, most children start nursery when they are between two and three years old.
When should you apply for nursery?
When to apply for nursery can be highly individual as it will depend on your own and your child’s circumstances. However, if you have set your sights on a particular nursery, it is recommended that you get in touch to ask about their availability as many nurseries have waiting lists.
What are the staff to child ratios in nursery?
Each country in the UK has its own statutory guidance regarding adult to child ratios in nurseries, pre-schools and other childcare provision. The staff ratios tell you the minimum number of adults required when providing care for children of a certain age. The younger children are, the more adults need to be present.
In all countries in the UK, there must be at least one adult for every three children under two. There must be one adult for every four children aged two in Wales and Northern Ireland and there must be one adult for every five children aged two in England and Scotland.
Are there special nurseries for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)?
Although all registered nurseries must accept children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) if there are places available, some early years settings specialise in childcare provision for children with SEND.
These early years settings have highly accessible facilities and additional equipment designed to support SEND children, as well as staff with extra skills to ensure they can meet the needs of each child in their care.
How do nurseries support children with special needs?
Nurseries in the UK (except Scotland) are legally required to appoint a qualified Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). SENCOs are responsible for training other practitioners in how to care for children with SEND and have other duties to ensure the child with SEND is supported by nurseries and other early years settings.
Who regulates childcare in the UK?
Each country in the UK has its own independent regulatory body for childcare.
- England: Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted)
- Wales: Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW)
- Scotland: Care Inspectorate (CI)
- Northern Ireland: Early Years Teams. There are five Early Years Teams which each have responsibility for registering, monitoring and inspecting day care facilities for children aged under 12. The five Early Years Teams are: Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Western Health and Social Care Trust.
Paying for childcare
How much does nursery cost in 2025?
The cost of sending your child to nursery differs depending on their age.
In 2025, the average cost of sending a child under two to a nursery for 25 hours per week (part-time) is £70.51 per week in England.
The average cost for a full-time childcare (50 hours) nursery place for a child under two costs £238.95 a week in England.
How much you will have to pay can vary greatly depending on where you live in the UK and costs are generally highest in London and South East England.
There may be additional costs for things like food and nappies.
How much does a childminder cost in 2025?
In 2025, a part-time childminder place is on average £59.76 a week in England.
The average cost of a full-time (50 hours) childminder for a child under two years is £202.09 a week in England.
How much do after school clubs cost?
The average weekly cost of after-school clubs in the UK is £66.48 (£2,593 per year during term time – 39 weeks).
What help can I get with childcare costs?
Help with childcare costs includes government-funded childcare hours, such as the 15 and 30 hours free childcare schemes.
Parents in England can claim either 15 or 30 hours free childcare a week if their child is aged 3 or 4.
This has been extended to children aged from 9 months old and above for 15 hours free childcare.
From September 2025 it extends to children aged 9 months and above for 30 hours free childcare. These hours are for 38 weeks a year, not 52.
You may also qualify for Tax-Free Childcare and the childcare element of Universal Credit.
What is Tax-Free Childcare?
Tax-Free Childcare is a UK-wide scheme where the government pays 20 per cent of your childcare costs up to a limit. Tax-Free Childcare has replaced Childcare Vouchers.
You can get up to £2,000 per year per child, or £4,000 if your child has a disability.
How does Tax-Free Childcare work?
You set up an account online with the government which you use to pay your childcare provider. For every £8 you put into the account, the government adds another £2. You can get up to £500 every three months per child, or £1,000 if your child has a disability.
You can use Tax-Free Childcare to pay for any kind of approved childcare, including nurseries, childminders and play schemes.
Do you have to apply for 15 hours free childcare?
In England, parents and guardians of three and four-year-olds do not have to apply to receive the universal 15 hours free childcare funding – your childcare provider will apply on your behalf once you have shown them proof of your child’s age, such as their birth certificate.
The 15 hours free childcare was extended to children as young as nine months of eligible working parents in September 2024. To apply for 15 hours free childcare for children aged over 9 months but under 3 years, you can fill in an application on the government website. If successful, you will receive a code to give to your chosen childcare provider.
Who qualifies for 30 hours free childcare?
In England, currently, working parents of children aged between three to four years get 30 hours free childcare per week. From September 2025, working parents of children aged from nine months get 30 hours free childcare hours per week in England. They must earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at the National Minimum or Living Wage, but less than £100,000 a year.
How do I apply for 30 hours free childcare?
To apply for 30 hours free childcare in England, you must set up a childcare account online with the government to confirm your details, such as passport information and/or a recent payslip.
If you are eligible, you will be given a code which you then give to your provider. You will need to confirm your eligibility and details every three months to keep the code.
When does 30 hours free childcare stop?
In England, as long as you (and your partner) remain eligible, your child can continue to receive the 30 hours of free childcare until they start school reception class or reach compulsory school age.
Can I get 30 hours free childcare and Tax-Free Childcare at the same time?
Yes, you can get Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as 30 hours free childcare if you are eligible for both.
Do you get 30 hours free childcare in Northern Ireland?
Unfortunately, there is no scheme such as the 30 hours free childcare in Northern Ireland. Instead, all three and four-year-olds are entitled to 12.5 hours per week of free pre-school education, but parents must apply.
Can I get Childcare Vouchers?
The UK Government’s Childcare Vouchers scheme meant some of a parent’s wages could be converted into vouchers to be used for paying for childcare, while you are at work. Your employer could take up to £55 per week from your wage, which would not be taxed or paid National Insurance on.
This money would be given as vouchers which could be used to pay childcare providers and proved better value for money.
This Childcare Voucher scheme was closed to new applicants on 4 October 2018, but most people who received childcare vouchers before that date can continue to do so. It was replaced by the Tax-Free Childcare scheme.
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