Nurseries in Essex
Essex is a large and varied county in the East of England, known for its mix of lively towns, countryside villages, coastal communities and excellent commuter links to London. Covering postcode districts from CM0–CM24, CO1–CO16, SS0–SS17 and IG7–IG10, the county includes major family areas such as Chelmsford, Colchester, Brentwood, Braintree, Harlow and Southend-on-Sea. Families benefit from strong rail connections into London Liverpool Street, Stratford and Fenchurch Street, as well as easy access to the A12, M11, A13 and A127. Essex offers extensive coastline, parks, nature reserves, playgrounds, leisure centres and top-rated schools, making it a popular choice for families relocating from London. Childcare demand is consistently high across commuter towns and growing new-build communities.
Parents in Essex typically pay £85 per day for childcare, which is slightly 13% higher than the UK average.
- Average Daily Cost
- £85
- Comparison
- +13% vs UK Average
- Total Capacity
- 22,362 places
Nurseries near you in Essex
Not registered with Nuuri
Frequently Asked Questions
In Essex, private nurseries usually accept children from around 3 months old depending on availability. School and council nurseries typically offer places from age 2 or 3. Funded early education begins the term after a child’s 3rd birthday, with earlier eligibility possible for some 2-year-olds or children of working parents.
All 3 and 4-year-olds in England receive 15 funded hours per week during term time, with many working families eligible for 30 hours. Some 2-year-olds also qualify based on income or circumstances, and eligible working parents of children from 9 months old can access funded childcare. Families can further reduce costs using the Tax-Free Childcare scheme, which adds a 20 percent top-up to childcare payments.
Nursery fees in Essex generally range from £65–£135 per day, with higher rates in Chelmsford, Brentwood and Epping Forest due to commuter demand and proximity to London.
All nurseries in Essex are regulated by Ofsted, with early years funding overseen by Essex County Council.
Ask about outdoor space, local outings, waiting list length, learning approach, how funded hours are offered and any additional costs for meals, nappies or extended sessions.
Applying for funding
Essex is covered by Essex County Council, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the Essex County Council website
