Nurseries in Guildford
Guildford is one of Surrey’s most desirable towns, offering a vibrant town centre, top-rated schools and excellent transport links. Covering postcode districts GU1 to GU5, it includes neighbourhoods such as Burpham, Merrow, Stoughton, Onslow Village and Shalford. Guildford is extremely popular with professional families due to its fast trains into London Waterloo, strong employment base, and access to the A3 and M25. Families enjoy the Surrey Hills AONB, Stoke Park, Hatchlands Park and numerous walking trails. Childcare demand is consistently high, with many nurseries operating waiting lists, particularly around Burpham, Merrow and central Guildford.
Parents in Guildford 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
- 8,539 places
Nurseries near you in Guildford
Frequently Asked Questions
In Guildford, private nurseries usually welcome children from around 3 months old depending on availability. Council and school nurseries typically offer places from age 2 or 3. Funded early education begins the term after a child turns 3, with earlier eligibility available for some 2-year-olds or children of working parents.
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.
Nursery fees in Guildford typically range from £80–£140 per day, rising slightly in areas with high demand such as Burpham, Merrow and central Guildford.
All nurseries in Guildford are regulated by Ofsted, with early years funding overseen by Surrey County Council.
Ask about outdoor space, access to parks like Stoke Park, the availability of funded hours and any extra fees for meals or consumables. It is also helpful to ask about waiting lists, especially in areas with significant demand.
Applying for funding
Guildford is covered by Surrey County Council, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the Surrey County Council website
