Nurseries in Leicester
Leicester is a major East Midlands city known for its cultural diversity, excellent transport links, universities, strong family communities and a wide range of early years provision. With many young families and a large working population, nursery demand is consistently high across the city.
Parents in Leicester typically pay £68 per day for childcare, which is slightly 10% lower than the UK average.
- Average Daily Cost
- £68
- Comparison
- -10% vs UK Average
- Total Capacity
- 11,906 places
Nurseries near you in Leicester
Frequently Asked Questions
In Leicester, most private nurseries accept children from around 3 months old, depending on availability. Government-funded early education starts the term after your child's 3rd birthday, with earlier places for some 2-year-olds or eligible working parents under national childcare schemes.
In England, all 3 and 4-year-olds are eligible for 15 hours of funded early education per week during term time, with up to 30 hours for many working families. Some 2-year-olds may also receive funding, and working parents of younger children from 9 months old can qualify for 30 hours. Eligible families can also use Tax-Free Childcare to reduce childcare costs.
Nursery fees in Leicester typically range from £55–£115 per day depending on the setting, location and services provided.
All nurseries in Leicester are regulated by Ofsted, with funding overseen by Leicester City Council.
Ask about waiting lists, outdoor play access, learning approach, funded hours, flexibility of sessions and additional fees.
Applying for funding
Leicester is covered by Leicester City Council, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the Leicester City Council website

