Nurseries in Shropshire
Shropshire is a large rural county in the West Midlands known for its historic market towns, countryside, and growing family communities. Covering postcode districts SY1–SY13, TF1–TF13 and WV15–WV16, it includes Shrewsbury, Telford, Oswestry, Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Market Drayton and surrounding villages. Families benefit from strong road connections via the M54, A5 and A49, as well as rail links from Shrewsbury and Telford to Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Manchester and London. The county offers riverside walks, parks, playgrounds, National Trust sites, libraries, children’s centres and well-regarded primary schools. Nursery and preschool demand is steady across both rural villages and larger commuter towns, particularly around Shrewsbury, Telford and Bridgnorth.
Parents in Shropshire typically pay £70 per day for childcare, which is slightly 7% lower than the UK average.
- Average Daily Cost
- £70
- Comparison
- -7% vs UK Average
- Total Capacity
- 6,824 places
Nurseries near you in Shropshire
Frequently Asked Questions
In Shropshire, private nurseries typically accept children from around 3 months old, depending on staffing and availability. School-based and council nurseries usually offer places from age 2 or 3. Funded early education begins the term after your child turns 3, with some 2 year olds eligible earlier depending on circumstances or 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 Shropshire generally range from £55–£105 per day, with higher rates in Shrewsbury, Telford and towns with strong commuter links towards the West Midlands.
All nurseries in Shropshire are regulated by Ofsted, with early years funding overseen by Shropshire Council.
Ask about outdoor play spaces, access to countryside or local parks, staff retention, how funded hours are scheduled, and any additional charges for meals, nappies, trips or wraparound care.
Applying for funding
Shropshire is covered by Shropshire Council, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the Shropshire Council website
