Nurseries in North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is one of England’s largest counties, known for its mix of rural villages, coastal towns and well-connected market towns. Covering areas including Harrogate, York outskirts, Scarborough, Whitby, Ripon, Selby, Northallerton, Skipton and surrounding communities, it offers a wide choice of early years settings across both countryside and suburban locations. Families benefit from rail links to Leeds, York, Manchester and London King’s Cross, along with access to the A1(M), A64 and A19. The county provides national parks, beaches, libraries, children’s centres, museums and strong primary schools. Nursery and preschool demand is consistently high in commuter areas such as Harrogate, Knaresborough, Selby and around the York border, as well as coastal communities including Scarborough and Whitby.
Parents in North Yorkshire typically pay £74 per day for childcare, which is slightly 2% lower than the UK average.
- Average Daily Cost
- £74
- Comparison
- -2% vs UK Average
- Total Capacity
- 7,849 places
Nurseries near you in North Yorkshire
Frequently Asked Questions
In North Yorkshire, private nurseries typically accept children from around 3 months old depending on staffing and availability. School and council-run nurseries usually offer places from age 2 or 3. Funded early education begins the term after a child turns 3, with some 2 year olds eligible earlier depending on household circumstances or parental work status.
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, and 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 North Yorkshire typically range from £55–£120 per day, with higher rates in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Skipton and popular commuter areas close to Leeds or York.
All nurseries in North Yorkshire are regulated by Ofsted, with early years funding overseen by North Yorkshire Council.
Ask about outdoor play areas, access to countryside or local parks, staff ratios, how funded hours are delivered, meal policies and any additional charges for outings, nappies or extended sessions.
Applying for funding
North Yorkshire is covered by North Yorkshire Council, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the North Yorkshire Council website
