Nurseries in Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a diverse East Midlands county combining Peak District countryside, market towns and well-connected commuter areas, making it an attractive choice for families seeking early years provision. Covering postcode districts DE1–DE75 and parts of S18–S45, the county includes Derby, Chesterfield, Long Eaton, Ilkeston, Swadlincote, Glossop, Buxton, Matlock and surrounding villages. Families benefit from excellent road links via the M1, A38 and A50, rail connections to London St Pancras, Nottingham, Sheffield and Birmingham, and access to parks, libraries, children’s centres and strong primary schools. Nursery demand is consistently high across commuter towns such as Long Eaton, Belper and Glossop, as well as expanding areas around Derby and Chesterfield.
Parents in Derbyshire typically pay £69 per day for childcare, which is slightly 8% lower than the UK average.
- Average Daily Cost
- £69
- Comparison
- -8% vs UK Average
- Total Capacity
- 11,182 places
Nurseries near you in Derbyshire
Frequently Asked Questions
In Derbyshire, 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, and some 2 year olds may be 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 Derbyshire typically range from £50–£115 per day, with higher rates in commuter towns near Derby, Chesterfield and areas bordering Nottinghamshire or South Yorkshire.
All nurseries in Derbyshire are regulated by Ofsted, with early years funding overseen by Derbyshire County Council.
Ask about outdoor play space, access to local parks or countryside, staff qualifications, how funded hours are delivered, meal policies and any additional charges for nappies, outings or extended care.
Applying for funding
Derbyshire is covered by Derbyshire County Council, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the Derbyshire County Council website
