Nurseries in Watford
Watford is a vibrant Hertfordshire town offering excellent transport connections, diverse neighbourhoods and a wide range of family amenities. Covering postcode districts WD17, WD18, WD19, WD23 and WD24, it includes Watford Town Centre, Nascot Wood, West Watford, Oxhey and North Watford. Families benefit from fast rail services to London Euston, the Overground, the Metropolitan line and easy access to the M1 and M25. The town offers parks, playgrounds, leisure centres, theatres, family restaurants and Cassiobury Park, one of the best green spaces in the region. Childcare demand is consistently strong, particularly in Nascot Wood and West Watford due to commuter links and popular school catchments.
Parents in Watford typically pay £89 per day for childcare, which is slightly 18% higher than the UK average.
- Average Daily Cost
- £89
- Comparison
- +18% vs UK Average
- Total Capacity
- 1,650 places
Nurseries near you in Watford
Frequently Asked Questions
In Watford, private nurseries typically accept children from around 3 months old. School and council nurseries usually offer places from age 2 or 3. Funded early education begins the term after your child’s 3rd birthday, with earlier eligibility possible for some 2-year-olds or working parents.
All 3 and 4-year-olds in England receive 15 funded hours per week, with many working families eligible for 30 hours. Some 2-year-olds also qualify for funded childcare, and eligible working parents of children from 9 months old can access funded hours. Tax-Free Childcare adds a 20 percent government top-up to childcare payments.
Nursery fees in Watford typically range from £75–£150 per day, with Nascot Wood and Oxhey often at the higher end due to commuter demand and popular school areas.
All nurseries in Watford are regulated by Ofsted, with early years funding overseen by Hertfordshire County Council.
Ask about outdoor space, access to Cassiobury Park for outings, waiting list length, how funded hours are structured and any additional fees for meals or extended care.
Applying for funding
Watford is covered by Hertfordshire County Council, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the Hertfordshire County Council website
