Choosing childcare is a big decision, and in London it also involves limited places, high prices and a lot of choice. This guide gives a sequence that works for most families. At each step it points to more detail.
Step 1: Work out what you need
Write down the basics before you look at any nursery:
- Days and hours. Which days, and what start and finish times, do you need? Include travel time.
- Where. Near home, near work, or on a route? London families often choose by commute, so look at stations as well as postcodes. LondonEY shows the nearest station for each setting.
- Age and start date. Babies, 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds have different options and prices. See what age to start nursery.
- Budget and funding. Work out which funded hours you can claim and what you will pay on top. Use the cost calculator and see nursery fees in London.
- Type of care. Day nursery, pre-school, school nursery or childminder. See nursery, pre-school or childminder.
- Anything specific. Approach (such as Montessori or forest school), language, religion, special educational needs or disabilities, dietary needs.
Step 2: Build a shortlist from official information
Start with every Ofsted-registered setting in your area, rather than the first few that show up in a search. LondonEY lists settings by borough and neighbourhood with the Ofsted result and a link to the official report. For each:
- Is it registered and for what type of care?
- What is the latest inspection result and when was it? See Ofsted report cards and legacy grades.
- Does it offer funded places for your child’s age?
Your council’s Family Information Service can help if you cannot find a place, and the government’s find-free-early-education service links to each council. See our borough funding pages.
How LondonEY lists and ranks
We order settings by evidence and by filters you choose, such as distance, type and rating. Payment never changes the order. Any paid placement is labelled “Sponsored” and shown in a separate band. Where we list the “highest-rated” settings, the rule is published on the page. It is our own rule, not Ofsted’s: for report cards it is strong or exceptional in at least four of the six areas with safeguarding met, and for older reports it is an Outstanding grade, with the most recent first.
Step 3: Check each shortlisted setting
Confirm registration, read the latest report, look at the safeguarding outcome and the inspection date. The steps are in how to check a nursery.
Step 4: Visit and ask
Visit at least two settings if you can, at a time when children are there. Use the same list of questions at each. See questions to ask a nursery and nursery ratios. Pay attention to:
- how adults speak to and play with children
- whether children look settled and busy
- how the key person system works
- how outdoor space is used
- how clear the staff are about fees, charges and funded hours
Step 5: Compare costs properly
Ask for a written price list that separates the funded hours, extra hours, meals and other charges. Funded hours must be free, and extras must be optional. Compare the full weekly cost of the pattern you want, not just the hourly rate. See 30 hours free childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and the rules on charges.
Step 6: Apply early and line up funding
The Best Start in Life service advises contacting your preferred provider as early as possible to secure a place. Funded hours for working parents need a code by 31 August, 31 December or 31 March, and the government recommends applying at least six weeks before. Places can fill before then, so contact settings before you have your code. A code does not guarantee a place.
Questions
Which are the top 10 nurseries in London?
There is no official top 10, and a single list can mislead because the best nursery depends on your child, your location and your budget. Ofsted has stopped giving overall grades. On LondonEY, you can see the highest-rated settings in each borough under a published rule, and compare them by distance, type and cost. Visit before you decide.
What are typical nursery hours?
There is no standard. Each nursery sets its own opening times, and sessional pre-schools run set morning or afternoon sessions. Government guidance for councils says funded sessions should be no longer than 10 hours and not before 6am or after 8pm. Ask each setting for its hours, holiday closures and any charges for training days.
How early should I join a waiting list?
As early as you can. The government’s advice is to contact your preferred provider early to secure a place. Ask each setting how its waiting list works, whether there is a fee, and when you would be offered a place.
Should I choose a nursery with an old Outstanding grade over a newer report card?
They are not directly comparable. An Outstanding grade comes from the previous framework and may be several years old, while a report card shows six areas and safeguarding. Read both reports, check the dates and visit.
