Nurseries in Cheltenham
Cheltenham is a popular Regency town in Gloucestershire with strong schools, thriving festivals and commuter links to Bristol, Birmingham and London. Families are drawn to established residential areas such as Charlton Kings, Leckhampton and Prestbury, where demand for nursery and preschool places is consistently high.
Parents in Cheltenham typically pay £73 per day for childcare, which is slightly 3% lower than the UK average.
- Average Daily Cost
- £73
- Comparison
- -3% vs UK Average
- Total Capacity
- 2,456 places
Nurseries near you in Cheltenham
Frequently Asked Questions
In Cheltenham, private nurseries typically accept children from around 3 months old depending on staffing and availability. School and council nurseries usually offer places from age 2 or 3. Funded early education begins the term after your child turns 3, with some 2 year olds eligible earlier depending on circumstances or work status.
Across England all 3 and 4 year olds receive 15 funded hours per week with many working families eligible for up to 30 hours. Some 2 year olds also qualify based on household circumstances, and eligible working parents of children from 9 months old may access funded childcare. Tax Free Childcare provides a 20 percent government top up to help with nursery costs.
Nursery fees in Cheltenham generally range from £65–£125 per day, with higher rates around central Cheltenham, Montpellier and popular school catchment areas.
All nurseries in Cheltenham are regulated by Ofsted, with early years funding overseen by Gloucestershire County Council.
Ask about outdoor play areas, access to local parks, staff qualifications and turnover, how funded hours are delivered and any extra charges for meals, nappies, trips or extended sessions.
Applying for funding
Cheltenham is covered by Gloucestershire County Council, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the Gloucestershire County Council website
