Nurseries in Polwarth
Polwarth is a popular residential area in south-west Edinburgh, known for its canal-side setting, strong community feel and excellent access to nearby neighbourhoods such as Bruntsfield, Merchiston and Fountainbridge. Postcodes such as EH11 and parts of EH10 cover the area, stretching from Polwarth Gardens and Slateford Road towards the Union Canal, Harrison Park and Shandon. With many families, young professionals and students living locally, demand for early years childcare is consistently high. Polwarth benefits from excellent transport connections, including frequent Lothian Buses services, cycling routes along the canal and quick access to the A70, A71 and city centre. Families enjoy nearby parks, canal walks, local cafés and access to larger green spaces in Craiglockhart and Bruntsfield. Its mix of traditional tenements, family flats and modern developments makes Polwarth an attractive choice for parents seeking reliable nursery provision within a lively, well-connected and community-oriented neighbourhood. EH11 and EH10 help define the core residential and canal-side zones, supporting easy access to nurseries, schools and everyday amenities.
Parents in Polwarth typically pay £80 per day for childcare, which is slightly 7% higher than the UK average.
- Average Daily Cost
- £80
- Comparison
- +7% vs UK Average
- Total Capacity
- 1,066 places
Nurseries near you in Polwarth
nuuri registered
55 places
Ages 3 months to 5 years
4 / 6 inspection score
12 June 2018
nuuri registered
143 places
Ages 1 months to 5 years
4 / 6 inspection score
17 May 2024
nuuri registered
126 places
Ages 3 months to 5 years
4 / 6 inspection score
1 February 2019
Frequently Asked Questions
In Polwarth, children may start private nursery care from around 3 months old depending on the setting; funded early learning and childcare begins **the term after a child’s 3rd birthday** under Scotland’s national entitlement.
Children aged 3 and 4 (and eligible 2-year-olds) receive up to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare each year, delivered across partner nurseries and council settings.
For children under 3, families pay privately for childcare. In Polwarth, private day nurseries typically charge between **£70–£95 per day**, depending on hours, meals and wrap-around options.
All nurseries in Polwarth are regulated by the **Care Inspectorate**, with additional oversight from the **City of Edinburgh Council** for funded placements.
Ask about staff-child ratios, qualifications, daily routines, how transitions are managed, how funded hours are applied, additional fees, communication methods, and whether the nursery accepts salary sacrifice childcare fee schemes.
Applying for funding
Polwarth is covered by City of Edinburgh Council, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the City of Edinburgh Council website
