Nurseries in Barnet
Barnet is one of London’s largest and most family-focused boroughs, known for its suburban neighbourhoods, excellent schools and strong access to early years provision. Postcodes such as EN4, EN5, NW2–NW7 and N2–N12 cover areas including Finchley, Hendon, Totteridge, High Barnet and Golders Green. With many young families and professionals, childcare demand is consistently high. Barnet benefits from strong transport links including the Northern line, Thameslink services, Overground routes, major bus connections and road links via the A1 and North Circular. Families enjoy parks, play centres, libraries and green spaces such as Hampstead Heath Extension and Oak Hill Park. Its mix of suburban housing, village-style high streets and excellent amenities makes Barnet a popular choice for parents seeking reliable nursery places in a safe and well-connected area.
Parents in Barnet typically pay £100 per day for childcare, which is significantly 33% higher than the UK average.
- Average Daily Cost
- £100
- Comparison
- +33% vs UK Average
- Total Capacity
- 7,490 places
Nurseries near you in Barnet
Frequently Asked Questions
In Barnet, children can usually start private nursery or day care from around 3 months old, depending on availability. Government-funded early education in England begins the term after your child’s 3rd birthday, but younger children may qualify earlier if you meet the 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.
Private nursery fees in Barnet typically range from **£85–£150 per day**, reflecting high demand across areas like Finchley, Hendon and Mill Hill. Prices vary depending on age group, meals, hours and extras, with under-2s generally at the higher end. Funded hours reduce costs for eligible families, but charges may apply for meals or extended sessions.
All nurseries in Barnet are regulated by **Ofsted**. Early years funding and local policy are managed by **Barnet Council**.
Ask about staff ratios, outdoor space, key person policies, how they structure learning in busy London settings, how funded hours are applied, and whether additional fees apply. It’s also useful to ask about communication methods, settling-in procedures and support for Tax-Free Childcare.
Applying for funding
Barnet is covered by Barnet, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the Barnet website
