Finding a Nursery in Glasgow: A Parent’s 2025 Guide

1. How to start your Glasgow nursery search

When choosing a nursery, start by narrowing your location. In Glasgow, the most in-demand areas tend to be:

• West End – spacious settings and outdoor learning near Kelvingrove.

• Southside (Shawlands, Pollokshields, Giffnock) – family-friendly communities with strong word-of-mouth networks.

• City Centre – ideal for commuting parents.

• East End / Newton Mearns / Bearsden – a mix of private and council-partnered nurseries.

On Nuuri, you can filter nurseries by location, availability, age range and whether they accept funded hours - and even book a tour directly.

2. Nuuri-registered nurseries in Glasgow

Here are some of the top-rated nurseries in Glasgow already available to explore on Nuuri:

Kirktonholme Nursery Group

With more than 20 settings across Scotland, Kirktonholme is one of the country’s most established nursery groups. Their Glasgow nurseries combine high-quality childcare with a focus on creativity, wellbeing and outdoor play.Many settings are council-partnered and accept all levels of Scottish Government funded hours.

Little Stars Glasgow

A warm, community-based nursery offering a nurturing environment for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Conveniently located for Southside and East End families, Little Stars is known for its strong parent communication and flexible booking options.

Cherry Tree Nursery (Glasgow)

A modern, purpose-built nursery offering bright classrooms, outdoor gardens and a curriculum based on curiosity and discovery.Cherry Tree is popular among city-centre commuters and accepts both private and funded places.

You can view each nursery’s photos, Ofsted/Care Inspectorate reports, available spaces and fees directly on Nuuri.

3. Nursery fees and funded hours in Scotland

Nursery costs in Glasgow are typically lower than in southern England but still a major family expense.

Average full-time private nursery fee (under-3s, 2025): £1,200–£1,400 per month (£14,000–£16,000 per year). 

Part-time (3 days/week): £850–£1,000 per month.

Scottish Government funded hours

Parents in Scotland can access:

• 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare per year (roughly 30 hours per week during term time) for all 3- and 4-year-olds.

• Eligible 2-year-olds also qualify based on income or additional support needs.

• Funding can usually be used at both council and partner private nurseries such as Kirktonholme or Little Stars.

Many private nurseries on Nuuri accept funded places, and their profiles clearly show how funded hours can be applied to your chosen sessions.

4. When to apply for a nursery place

In Glasgow, demand peaks between February and September as families plan for new funded hours.

To secure your preferred nursery:

• Start enquiring 9-12 months in advance, especially for under-2 rooms.

• Join waiting lists early - most Nuuri nurseries allow you to do this online.

• Consider visiting 2-3 nurseries to compare environments, staff interaction and curriculum fit.

5. What to look for when visiting Glasgow nurseries

When you tour a nursery (in person or virtually via Nuuri), focus on:

• Staff warmth and communication - are children engaged and happy?

• Outdoor and active play - Scottish nurseries are encouraged to support outdoor learning.

• Learning environment - is it calm, clean and inclusive?

• Partnership status - check if they’re a local-authority funded partner.

• Flexibility - does the nursery offer extended hours or holiday care?

6. Popular nursery areas in Glasgow

Area	Average full-time fee	Known for	Examples on Nuuri
West End (Kelvingrove, Hyndland)	£15,000	Premium early-years programmes and bilingual settings	Kirktonholme Nurseries
Southside (Pollokshields, Giffnock)	£14,000	Strong community nurseries, flexible funded hours	Little Stars Glasgow, Cherry Tree Nursery
City Centre / East End	£13,000	Modern facilities and commuter-friendly hours	Kirktonholme, Cherry Tree Nursery

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7. Summary

Glasgow offers an incredible range of nursery options - from long-established groups like Kirktonholme to smaller independent settings like Little Stars and Cherry Tree Nursery.

With Nuuri, parents can:

• Compare nurseries in one place

• Check funded-hour eligibility

• View inspection ratings and photos

• Join waiting lists instantly

Start your Glasgow nursery search today at Nuuri.co.uk.