What Age do Kids Start Nursery in the UK?

When you're thinking about nursery, one of the first questions that pops into your head is probably "when should my child actually start?" And honestly, it's not a straightforward answer. The UK gives you quite a bit of flexibility, which is great, but it also means there's a lot to think through.

When you're thinking about nursery, one of the first questions that pops into your head is probably "when should my child actually start?" And honestly, it's not a straightforward answer. The UK gives you quite a bit of flexibility, which is great, but it also means there's a lot to think through.

The good news is that there's no single "right" age. Children can start nursery from as young as a few weeks old, and they can continue right up until they start school. What matters most is finding the timing that works for your family and feels right for your child. That’s what we’re all about at Nuuri: helping you collect a pool of top options for your child’s future.

Let's break down what you need to know about nursery ages in the UK, the government support available, and how to figure out what's best for your little one.

When Can Children Start Nursery?

In the UK, there's no minimum age for starting nursery (depending on the type of nursery in question). Some children begin childcare as early as six weeks old (often when parents return to work after maternity leave), while others don't start until they're closer to school age. Lots of nurseries provide care for children from around six weeks through to five years old. Preschools and school nursery classes typically take children from around age two or three.

The flexibility is genuinely useful if you need it. But it also means when it comes to thinking about how to choose a nursery, you've got to think about what works for your family's circumstances, not just what's available.

The Most Common Starting Ages

Lots of parents choose to start their child in nursery somewhere between six months and three years old. Here's what typically happens at each stage:

Six months to one year

Many parents return to work around six months after their baby is born, so this is when a lot of children first start nursery. At this age, nurseries focus on providing a calm, nurturing environment where babies can develop emotionally and explore the world through their senses. The staff are trained to handle the needs of very young babies, including feeding, nappy changes, and sleep routines.

One to two years

This is when toddlers start to become really curious about everything around them. Nursery becomes a place where they can explore safely, play with other children, and start building social skills. Staff will introduce simple activities and routines that help develop communication and early learning.

Two to three years

Toddlers at this age go through massive developmental leaps. They're becoming more independent, more interested in other children, and starting to understand routines. Nursery supports this by offering structured activities, group play, and opportunities to develop new skills through guided play.

Three to four years

This is often when parents start thinking about nursery as a stepping stone to school. Many nurseries focus on gentle, structured learning and routines that help prepare children for the school environment. Children at this age are developing stronger social skills, better language, and more independence.

What About School Starting Age?

It’s important to separate nursery from school. Nursery is optional and flexible. School attendance is compulsory, but the rules around when children start school vary slightly depending on where you live in the UK.

England

In England, most children start Reception (the first year of primary school) in September after their fourth birthday. For example, if your child turns four in June, they would usually start school that September.

That said, children don’t legally have to be in full-time education until they reach compulsory school age, which is the start of the term following their fifth birthday. This falls on 31 December, 31 March, or 31 August, whichever comes first after they turn five.

If you feel your child isn’t ready to start school when they’re offered a Reception place, you can request flexibility. You still need to apply for a school place at the normal time, but you can ask for:

• a delayed start
• a part-time start
• or, in some cases, for your child to start Reception the September after they turn five

Approval depends on your local authority and the school, but these requests are common, particularly for younger children in the year.

Wales

In Wales, the school age system is similar to England. Most children start Reception in September after their fourth birthday, and this is how the majority of children enter primary school.

Compulsory school age still begins the term after a child turns five, which means parents can sometimes choose a more gradual start if they feel their child needs it. As in England, you must apply for a school place on time, but you can discuss options such as part-time attendance or a deferred start with your local authority and school.

Wales places a strong emphasis on early learning and development in the early years, so many children will already be familiar with structured learning environments through nursery or preschool before starting school. Nuuri offers a range of nurseries and preschools across Wales so you’ll find a great option for you.

Scotland

Scotland works a little differently. Children usually start Primary 1 when they are five years old, not four.

The school entry cut-off date in Scotland is later in the academic year, which means many children start school closer to five and a half. As a result, it’s very common for Scottish children to spend longer in nursery before moving into primary school.

Deferred school entry is also more widely accepted in Scotland, especially for children with birthdays early in the year. Many parents choose to give their child an extra year in nursery before starting Primary 1, and this is considered a normal option rather than an exception.

Government Funding for Early Years

Childcare cost in the UK is often one of the biggest factors when deciding when to start nursery. The good news is that government funding is available across the UK, although the schemes and eligibility rules vary slightly depending on where you live.

Childcare Funding in England

In England, all three- and four-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours of free early education per week. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can access 30 hours per week.

These hours can be used at nurseries, preschools, or with registered childminders. They’re usually spread across the week and can be taken term-time only or stretched across the year, depending on how your provider offers them.

Childcare Funding in Wales

Wales offers the Childcare Offer for Wales, which provides up to 30 hours of funded early education and childcare per week for eligible working parents of three- and four-year-olds. This funding combines early education with childcare and can be used across approved settings, including nurseries and childminders.

Some two-year-olds may also qualify for funded childcare through Flying Start, depending on where you live.

Childcare Funding in Scotland

In Scotland, all eligible three- and four-year-olds (and some two-year-olds) are entitled to 1,140 hours of funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) per year. These hours are offered flexibly and can be spread across the year rather than following a strict term-time model.

Funded ELC can be accessed through nurseries, childminders, or local authority providers.

Tax-Free Childcare (UK-wide)

If you’re working, you may be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare, which applies across England, Wales, and Scotland. You can receive up to £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 for disabled children) towards childcare costs. For every £8 you pay in, the government adds £2.

This can be used at any registered nursery, preschool, or childminder.

Universal Credit (UK-wide)

If you’re claiming Universal Credit, you may be able to claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs, subject to monthly caps set by the government. This support can often be used alongside other funding schemes, depending on your circumstances.

Using Funding Together

In many cases, funded early education hours can be used alongside Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit, but eligibility rules can be complex. It’s always worth checking the relevant government website for your country to see exactly what support you can access.

How to Decide What's Right for Your Child

There's no magic formula here, but there are some things worth thinking through:

Your work situation

Do you need to return to work, and if so, when? This often determines when your child will start nursery. If you're going back part-time, you might have more flexibility about timing.

Your child's personality

Just like grown-ups, some children are naturally social and thrive in group settings. Others find it overwhelming at first.

Neither is wrong, but it's worth thinking about your child's temperament. A shy child might benefit from starting nursery a bit younger so they have time to settle and build confidence before school. A very social child might be ready to start whenever you need them to.

Developmental readiness

Is your child showing signs of being ready to separate from you for periods of time? Can they follow simple routines? Are they interested in other children? These are all signs that they might be ready for nursery. But remember, every child develops at their own pace.

Emotional readiness

This applies to you as much as your child! Some parents feel ready to return to work and use nursery quite early. Others need more time. There's no judgment either way, but it's worth being honest with yourself about what you need.

Socialisation

If your child has been at home with you or a family member, nursery is a big change. They'll be around other children, multiple staff members, and new routines. Some children take to this immediately, while others need a bit more time. Starting nursery earlier can give your child time to build friendships and get used to group settings before school.

What Happens During the Settling-In Period?

When your child starts nursery, there's usually a settling-in period. This isn't just for your child, it's for you too. A good nursery will make this gradual and gentle.

Typically, you'll start with short visits where you stay with your child. Then you'll gradually leave them for longer periods whilst they're with their key person (a specific staff member assigned to your child). This helps your child build trust and feel secure.

The settling-in period can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on your child. Some children settle quickly. Others need more time. A quality nursery will work at your child's pace and keep you informed about how they're getting on.

Finding a Quality Nursery

Whatever age you decide to start your child in nursery, the most important thing is finding a quality setting. This is where Nuuri comes in. We help you find nurseries that meet high standards, and you can read reviews from other parents, check inspection ratings (e.g. Ofsted if you’re in England, Care Inspectorates in Wales and Scotland), and get detailed information about what each nursery offers.

When you're looking at nurseries, think about:

• Do they have experience with your child's age group?
• What's their approach to learning and development?
• How do they handle settling-in?
• What's the staff-to-child ratio?
• What's included in the fees?
• Do they offer the government funding you need?

A quality nursery will be transparent about all of this and happy to answer your questions, and our Nuuri nursery search will help you narrow down your criteria.

The Bottom Line

There's no single "right" age for your child to start nursery in the UK. It depends on your family's needs, your work situation, your child's personality, and what feels right for you. The good news is that the UK gives you flexibility, and there's government funding available to help with costs.

What matters most is finding a quality nursery where your child feels safe, happy, and stimulated. Whether that's at six months or three years old, the right timing is the timing that works for your family.

Ready to explore nurseries in your area? Use Nuuri to search for quality nurseries, read parent reviews, and find the perfect fit for your child's age and stage.

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