Nurseries in Perth and Kinross
Perth and Kinross is a diverse central Scottish region known for its blend of thriving towns, rural villages and outdoor spaces. Covering postcode districts PH1–PH18 and parts of KY13, it includes Perth, Scone, Crieff, Auchterarder, Kinross, Blairgowrie, Pitlochry, Aberfeldy and surrounding Highland and lowland communities. Families benefit from excellent road and rail links to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Dundee and the Highlands, as well as access to parks, lochs, forests, libraries, leisure centres and strong local primary schools. Demand for nursery and preschool places is consistently high in commuter towns such as Kinross and Auchterarder, as well as rural villages where provision may be more limited.
Parents in Perth and Kinross typically pay £71 per day for childcare, which is slightly 5% lower than the UK average.
- Average Daily Cost
- £71
- Comparison
- -5% vs UK Average
- Total Capacity
- 1,683 places
Nurseries near you in Perth and Kinross
Frequently Asked Questions
Private nurseries in Perth and Kinross typically accept children from around 3 months old, depending on capacity and staffing. Funded council nursery places usually begin from age 3, depending on eligibility and term dates.
In Scotland, all children aged 3–5 are entitled to 1,140 hours of funded Early Learning and Childcare per year, starting from the term after their 3rd birthday. Eligible 2 year olds may also qualify based on income, disability or care-experience criteria. Funding can be used with council nurseries, private nurseries, childminders and blended care models. Perth & Kinross Council manages admissions and allocation of funded places. Parents may also use Tax-Free Childcare, which provides a 20% government top-up on childcare costs up to £2,000 per child per year.
Private nursery fees in Perth and Kinross usually range from £55–£75 per day. Rates are often higher in commuter areas such as Kinross and Auchterarder, while rural settings may offer lower fees but with limited places.
All nurseries in Perth and Kinross are regulated by the Care Inspectorate. Funded hours are overseen and quality-assured by Perth & Kinross Council.
Useful questions include: how funded hours are delivered, outdoor play access, links to local nature areas, staff ratios, settling-in arrangements, key worker systems, meal provision and waiting list timeframes—particularly in high-demand towns such as Perth, Kinross and Auchterarder.
Applying for funding
Perth and Kinross is covered by Perth & Kinross Council, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the Perth & Kinross Council website
