Nurseries in Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire is a large and diverse region in north-east Scotland known for its coastline, countryside, thriving towns and strong early years provision. Covering postcode districts AB21–AB45 and AB51–AB56, it includes Inverurie, Ellon, Stonehaven, Westhill, Banchory, Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Huntly, Turriff and many surrounding rural communities. Families benefit from a mix of commuter links into Aberdeen, excellent outdoor spaces, beaches, forests and well-regarded primary schools. Nursery demand is consistently high in commuter towns such as Westhill, Inverurie and Ellon, as well as rural areas where places can be limited.
Parents in Aberdeenshire typically pay £75 per day for childcare, which is slightly 1% lower than the UK average.
- Average Daily Cost
- £75
- Comparison
- -1% vs UK Average
- Total Capacity
- 2,945 places
Nurseries near you in Aberdeenshire
nuuri registered
93 places
Ages 1 months to 5 years
4 / 6 inspection score
25 July 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Private nurseries in Aberdeenshire typically accept children from around 3 months old, depending on staffing and space. Funded council nursery places generally begin from age 3, depending on eligibility and session availability.
In Scotland, all children are entitled to 1,140 hours of funded Early Learning and Childcare per year from the term after their 3rd birthday. Eligible 2 year olds may also qualify based on income, disability or care-experience criteria. Funding can be used with private nurseries, council nurseries, childminders and blended placements. Aberdeenshire Council oversees admissions and allocation of funded hours. Parents can also use Tax-Free Childcare, giving a 20% government top-up on childcare costs up to £2,000 per child per year.
Private nursery fees in Aberdeenshire typically range from £55–£75 per day, with higher costs found in commuter towns such as Westhill, Inverurie and Banchory. Rural settings can be slightly lower but may have limited places.
All nurseries in Aberdeenshire are regulated by the Care Inspectorate. Aberdeenshire Council oversees funded ELC delivery and partnership provider agreements.
Ask about outdoor access, delivery of funded hours, wraparound availability, meal arrangements, staff qualifications, waiting list times and how the nursery supports transitions to primary school.
Applying for funding
Aberdeenshire is covered by Aberdeenshire Council, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the Aberdeenshire Council website
