Nurseries in Hampshire
Hampshire is a large South East county offering a mix of coastal towns, rural villages and thriving commuter hubs, making it a strong choice for families seeking high-quality early years provision. Covering postcode districts GU10–GU35, PO7–PO17, RG19–RG29, SO14–SO53 and SP10–SP11, it includes Winchester, Southampton, Portsmouth, Basingstoke, Farnborough, Andover, Eastleigh, Fareham and the New Forest. Families benefit from fast rail links to London Waterloo, excellent motorway access via the M3, M27 and A3, and a wide range of parks, beaches, countryside, libraries and children’s centres. Nursery demand is consistently high around commuter towns such as Winchester, Fleet and Basingstoke, as well as popular coastal areas including Gosport and Portsmouth.
Market insights for Hampshire
Parents in Hampshire typically pay £74 per day for childcare, which is slightly 1% lower than the UK average of £75 per day. This pricing reflects local market conditions, including operational costs, demand levels, and regional economic factors that influence childcare provision. With 20,209 childcare places available across Hampshire, families have a range of options to consider. Understanding these market insights helps parents make informed decisions about childcare costs and availability in Hampshire.
- Average daily cost
- £74
- Comparison
- -1% vs UK average
- Total capacity
- 20,209 places
Nurseries near you in Hampshire
Frequently asked questions
In Hampshire, private nurseries typically accept children from around 3 months old, depending on staffing and availability. School-based and council nurseries usually offer funded places from age 2 or 3. All children can access funded early education from the term after their 3rd birthday, with some 2 year olds eligible earlier depending on circumstances or parental employment.
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. 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 Hampshire typically range from £65–£140 per day, with higher rates in Winchester, Fleet, Farnborough and commuter areas close to London rail services. Coastal areas such as Portsmouth and Gosport tend to sit slightly lower in the range.
All nurseries in Hampshire are regulated by Ofsted, with early years funding overseen by Hampshire County Council.
Ask about outdoor play access, funding delivery, meal and activity charges, staff retention, SEND support, parent communication and how they settle new children into the setting.
Applying for funding
Hampshire is covered by Hampshire County Council, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the Hampshire County Council websiteThe UK's nursery search platform, built for modern parents
Find nurseries near you
Search by location, filter by age group, hours, and (Ofsted, Care Inspectorate Scotland, and Care Inspectorate Wales). Get a clearer picture before you commit to a visit.
Work out what you'll pay
Childcare costs and government funding can be confusing. Our calculator cuts through it and shows you what to expect each month.
Get guidance from childcare experts
Our advice hub walks you through every stage of the process, so you know when to start looking and exactly what to ask when you visit.