Choosing childcare for your child can be daunting as there are different options you can use depending on your circumstances. Day nurseries, pre-schools, nursery classes in schools and childminders.
If you are using a mobile phone, please search for day nurseries and pre-schools using our childcare directory.
If you have a laptop or computer, you can search using our childcare directory or our day nurseries and pre-schools map.
Day nurseries and pre-schools map
What is a day nursery?
- Can be open all year
- Can offer extended days such as 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday
- Some take children from a few months old until they start reception at school
What is a pre-school?
- Mainly term time only (38 weeks a year)
- Offer sessions or shorter days such as 9am to 12noon or 9am to 4pm
- Some take 2 year olds until they start reception class at school
They all:
- Register with Ofsted and comply with the requirements for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) EYFS statutory framework for group and school-based providers (PDF - 682 KB)
- Can offer 15 hours and most will be able to offer the 30 hours funded childcare either themselves or in partnership with other providers (please check that they accept funded childcare). Find out more about funded early education places (FEE).
- Can sign up to receive Tax-Free Childcare on your behalf (please check that they have signed up to the scheme).
- Can charge for additional time and services - this must be clearly explained to you what the charges are for.
- Can charge a deposit to secure a place but not if you are only accessing your free entitlement hours and no additional time.