Nurseries in Balham
Balham is a highly sought-after South London neighbourhood popular with young families, commuters and professionals. Sitting between Clapham, Wandsworth, Tooting and Streatham, it combines Victorian and Edwardian streets with modern apartments and a busy high street. Most of Balham falls within the SW12 postcode, with some nearby streets in SW4 and SW17. The area benefits from excellent transport links including Balham Underground (Northern line), National Rail services into central London and extensive bus routes, making it ideal for parents who commute. Families enjoy green spaces such as Wandsworth Common and Tooting Bec Common, local playgroups, cafes, libraries and children’s activities. High demand for nursery places, mixed with a range of private day nurseries, preschool settings and childminders, makes Balham a competitive but attractive area for early years childcare.
Parents in Balham typically pay £103 per day for childcare, which is significantly 38% higher than the UK average.
- Average Daily Cost
- £103
- Comparison
- +38% vs UK Average
- Total Capacity
- 2,772 places
Nurseries near you in Balham
nuuri registered
52 places
Ages 3 months to 5 years
3 / 4 inspection score
4 May 2022
Frequently Asked Questions
In Balham, children can usually start private nursery or day care from around 3 months old, depending on the provider and availability. Some nurseries offer baby rooms from birth, while others focus on toddlers and preschoolers. Government-funded early education in England generally begins the term after your child’s 3rd birthday, but younger children may also qualify for funded hours if you meet certain criteria or are an eligible working parent.
In England, all 3 and 4-year-olds can receive 15 hours of funded early education per week during term time, with many working families eligible for up to 30 hours. There is also funded support for some 2-year-olds based on household circumstances, and entitlement for working parents of children from 9 months old to receive 30 hours per week for eligible families. The exact offer and start dates depend on your child’s age, your work status and when their birthday falls in the school year. Families can also benefit from Tax-Free Childcare if both working parents earn less than £100k per year. For every £8 a parent pays into their online childcare account, the government adds an extra £2 up to a maximum of £2,000 per child per year.
Nursery fees in Balham typically range from £90–£160 per day, reflecting high demand and the area’s popularity with commuting families. Prices vary depending on the setting, age group, opening hours, meal provision and extras such as activities or extended days. Under-2s are usually at the higher end of the price range, and funded hours may only cover part of a full-day place, with additional charges for meals or wraparound care.
All nurseries and most childcare providers serving families in Balham are regulated by Ofsted. Depending on the exact address, early years funding and support are provided by Wandsworth Council or (for a small number of fringe streets) Lambeth Council.
When visiting nurseries in Balham, ask about staff-child ratios, staff qualifications and turnover, the daily routine, outdoor play and how often children access nearby commons or parks. Clarify how funded hours are applied, what additional charges apply for meals, nappies or extended sessions, and how they support settling-in for babies and toddlers. It is also useful to ask about communication with parents, waiting list policies, deposits, and whether they support Tax-Free Childcare or workplace salary sacrifice schemes.
Applying for funding
Balham is covered by Wandsworth, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the Wandsworth website
