Nurseries in South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire is a major metropolitan county in the north of England, centred around Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley and Rotherham. Known for its strong mix of urban, suburban and village communities, it offers a wide range of early years provision across commuter belts, new-build estates and established neighbourhoods. Families benefit from strong rail connections to Leeds, Manchester and London King's Cross, as well as access to the M1, A1(M) and excellent local transport networks. The county offers parks, woodlands, libraries, children’s centres, museums and well-regarded primary schools, with nursery demand particularly strong in Sheffield suburbs, commuter areas around Barnsley and new developments across Doncaster.
Parents in South Yorkshire 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
- 22,579 places
Nurseries near you in South Yorkshire
Frequently Asked Questions
In South Yorkshire, private nurseries typically accept children from around 3 months old, depending on staffing and availability. School-based 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 household 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 fees.
Nursery fees in South Yorkshire typically range from £45–£75 per day, with higher rates in Sheffield city neighbourhoods, new-build areas and commuter belts close to major employers.
All nurseries in South Yorkshire are regulated by Ofsted, with early years funding administered by Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley and Rotherham councils.
Ask about outdoor space, staff ratios, access to local parks or woodland, how funded hours are delivered, any additional charges for meals or extras, and how they support transitions to school.
Applying for funding
South Yorkshire is covered by Gov.uk, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the Gov.uk website
