Nurseries in Cambridge
Cambridge is a major university city with strong demand for childcare, driven by families working in education, technology, healthcare and the science parks. Popular areas such as Chesterton, Trumpington and Cherry Hinton have high occupancy levels. The city offers excellent green spaces, museums, libraries and good transport links via the M11 and A14.
Market insights for Cambridge
Parents in Cambridge typically pay £96 per day for childcare, which is significantly 27% higher than the UK average of £75 per day. This pricing reflects local market conditions, including operational costs, demand levels, and regional economic factors that influence childcare provision. With 4,861 childcare places available across Cambridge, families have a range of options to consider. Understanding these market insights helps parents make informed decisions about childcare costs and availability in Cambridge.
- Average daily cost
- £96
- Comparison
- +27% vs UK average
- Total capacity
- 4,861 places
Nurseries near you in Cambridge
- Bright Horizons Crocus Early Years Centre
- Bright Horizons Bunnybrookes Day Nursery
- Bright Horizons Long Road Day Nursery And Preschool
- Bright Horizons Fulbourn Day Nursery and Preschool
- Bright Horizons Wolfson Court Day Nursery and Preschool
- Bright Horizons Eddington Nursery
- Bright Horizons Cambridge Science Park Day Nursery and Preschool
- Bright Horizons Cambridge Milton Road Day Nursery and Pre-school
- The Chesterfords Community Preschool
- Crocus Early Years (Hinxton Hall Nursery)
- Kids R Us Sanger
- Stephen Perse Nurseries - Dame Bradbury's
- Ashdon Childrens Nursery
- Westwood Montessori
- Busy Bees Childcare Centre
- Saffron Walden Nursery School
- St. Thomas More Montessori Pre School
- Bell Day Nursery Community Interest Company
- Bell Day Pre-school
- Olivers Lodge - Newport
- Olivers Lodge - Newport
- Meadows Montessori
- Wendens Ambo Pre School
- Clavering & Arkesden Preschool
- ACE Nursery School
- Cambridge Montessori
- Harvey Road Day Nursery Ltd
- Sancton Wood School, Baby Unicorns Nursery
- Stephen Perse Nurseries Salisbury Villas
- Romsey Mill Pre-school (Hemingford Road)
Frequently asked questions
Most private nurseries in Cambridge accept children from around 3 months old. School nurseries usually offer places from age 3, with some accepting eligible 2 year olds.
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.
Cambridge has some of the highest nursery fees in the region, typically £85–£150 per day, especially near the Science Park, biomedical campus and city centre.
All nurseries in Cambridge are regulated by Ofsted, with early years funding administered by Cambridgeshire County Council.
Ask about wait-list times, outdoor space, parking for drop-off, how funded hours are delivered, and any additional fees for meals or consumables.
Applying for funding
Cambridge is covered by Cambridgeshire County Council, the local authority for this area. Search their website for early years funding to apply.
Visit the Cambridgeshire County Council websiteThe UK's nursery search platform, built for modern parents
Find nurseries near you
Search by location, filter by age group, hours, and (Ofsted, Care Inspectorate Scotland, and Care Inspectorate Wales). Get a clearer picture before you commit to a visit.
Work out what you'll pay
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Get guidance from childcare experts
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