Nurseries in Suffolk
Suffolk is a largely rural East of England county known for its coastline, farmland, market towns and strong community-focused early years provision. Covering key areas such as Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Lowestoft, Felixstowe, Sudbury, Haverhill and Newmarket, it attracts families seeking space, good schools and a calmer pace of life. Transport links include rail routes to London Liverpool Street, Norwich and Cambridge, plus access to the A12 and A14. Across Suffolk, parents benefit from parks, seaside towns, children’s centres, libraries and a wide network of nurseries and preschools serving both urban and rural communities.
Parents in Suffolk typically pay £72 per day for childcare, which is slightly 5% lower than the UK average.
- Average Daily Cost
- £72
- Comparison
- -5% vs UK Average
- Total Capacity
- 6,069 places
Nurseries near you in Suffolk
Frequently Asked Questions
In Suffolk, private nurseries typically accept babies from around 3 months old depending on availability and staffing. School-based and council-linked 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 income, special educational needs or working family criteria.
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 Suffolk generally range from £55–£120 per day, with higher rates in areas such as Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and coastal towns like Felixstowe and Southwold.
All nurseries in Suffolk are regulated by Ofsted, with early years funding overseen by Suffolk County Council.
Ask about outdoor space, access to countryside or coastal areas, staff ratios, how funded hours are delivered, and whether there are additional charges for meals, nappies, trips or extended care.
Applying for funding
Suffolk is covered by Suffolk County Council, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the Suffolk County Council website
