Nurseries in East Sussex
East Sussex is a scenic coastal and countryside county in the South East of England, popular with families for its mix of seaside towns, historic villages and strong early years provision. Covering postcode districts BN7–BN27, TN31–TN40 and parts of RH16, it includes towns such as Brighton & Hove, Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Rye and surrounding villages. Families benefit from rail links to London Victoria and London Bridge, access to the A27 and A259 coastal routes, and a wide range of parks, beaches, nature reserves and community amenities. With growing family populations in commuter-friendly neighbourhoods and diverse childcare provision, demand for nurseries and early years settings remains high across the county.
Parents in East Sussex 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
- 7,887 places
Nurseries near you in East Sussex
nuuri registered
56 places
Ages 1 months to 5 years
3 / 4 inspection score
27 March 2023
Not registered with Nuuri
Frequently Asked Questions
In East Sussex private nurseries commonly accept children from around 3 months old, depending on availability. School-based or council-run nurseries usually offer places from age 2 or 3. Funded early years education normally begins the term after a child turns 3, with some 2-year-olds eligible earlier in certain circumstances.
All 3 and 4-year-olds in England are entitled to 15 hours of funded early education per week during term time, with many working families eligible for up to 30 hours. Some 2-year-olds may also qualify based on household circumstances, and eligible working parents of children from 9 months old may access funded childcare. Tax-Free Childcare provides an additional 20 percent top-up to help cover costs.
Nursery fees in East Sussex typically range from £60–£120 per day, with higher rates in coastal towns such as Brighton & Hove and commuter-friendly areas due to strong demand.
All nurseries in East Sussex are regulated by Ofsted, with early years funding and support overseen by East Sussex County Council through its early years and childcare service.
Ask about outdoor space, the nursery’s approach to early years learning, staff retention, how funded hours are managed, waiting lists and any additional charges for meals, nappies, trips or late-collection.
Applying for funding
East Sussex is covered by East Sussex County Council, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the East Sussex County Council website
