The nursery finder that puts you back in control

Start your nursery search at least 6 to 12 months before you need a place. Popular nurseries in busy areas fill up well ahead of this, so the earlier you begin, the more options you'll have.

If you're pregnant, it's never too early to start researching. Nuuri lets you search, check availability, and shortlist your favourites so you're ready to move when the time comes.

Full-time nursery in the UK typically costs between £1,000 and £1,800 per month, depending on your location, the nursery, and your child's age. Costs in London and the South East tend to be higher.

Many nurseries also charge separately for meals or additional activities. Government-funded childcare hours can bring that figure down significantly. Use the Nuuri cost calculator to see what you’d actually pay each month.

Childcare funding varies across the UK. In England, most parents are entitled to at least 15 hours of funded childcare per week once their child turns 3, with eligible working parents able to access up to 30 hours. From September 2024, eligible working parents of children from 9 months can also access funded hours.

In Scotland and Wales, different funding schemes are available, with similar support for 3 and 4-year-olds and additional help depending on your circumstances. Eligibility is usually based on your employment status and earnings, and you apply through official government websites.

The main difference is the setting and structure. A nursery is a dedicated childcare setting for children aged 0 to 5, run from fixed premises with a team of qualified staff.

A childminder cares for children in their own home, usually in a smaller and more personal environment. A preschool focuses more on early education than full-day care and often runs term-time only.

All three are regulated and inspected by official bodies, including Ofsted in England, the Care Inspectorate in Scotland, and Care Inspectorate Wales.

Focus on how staff interact with the children. Warmth, attentiveness, and genuine engagement matter far more than how impressive the building looks.

Ask about staff turnover, key worker arrangements, and how they keep parents updated day to day. Check the outdoor space, the daily routine, and how they approach settling in.

Trust your instincts. If the nursery feels calm and happy on an ordinary afternoon, that tells you a lot. Nuuri's advice hub has a full visit checklist you can take with you.

The most reliable starting point is the inspection ratings, but read the full report rather than just the headline. Look for comments on safeguarding, staff qualifications, and how well the nursery supports children’s development.

Beyond that, pay attention to how long the senior staff have been in post, what current parents say, and how the nursery communicates when you first get in touch. How they treat you at that stage usually reflects how they operate every day.

Most nurseries follow a similar process: an initial enquiry, a visit, and then a registration form and deposit to secure the place. There's usually a settling-in period before your child's official start date.

If you're using funded childcare hours, you'll need your eligibility code ready before your child starts. Nuuri is building tools to make the whole process simpler, so you can go from search to a confirmed place without the unnecessary back-and-forth.