Nurseries in Islington
Islington is a vibrant North London borough known for its lively arts scene, stylish boutiques, and beautiful Georgian townhouses. Covering postcodes like N1, N5, and N7, the area centres around Upper Street, Angel, and Highbury. It's exceptionally well-connected with the Victoria and Northern lines, Overground services, and numerous bus routes. Families are drawn to its green spaces like Highbury Fields, proximity to Regent's Canal, and cultural venues. Demand for childcare is consistently high, driven by a dense population of professionals and affluent families, making it a competitive market for nursery places.
Market insights for Islington
Parents in Islington typically pay £111 per day for childcare, which is significantly 47% 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 8,385 childcare places available across Islington, families have a range of options to consider. Understanding these market insights helps parents make informed decisions about childcare costs and availability in Islington.
- Average daily cost
- £111
- Comparison
- +47% vs UK average
- Total capacity
- 8,385 places
Nurseries near you in Islington
- Clerkenwell Mount Day Nursery
- Muswell Hill Preschool
- Bright Horizons New Southgate Day Nursery and Preschool
- Islington Square Day Nursery & Preschool
- Bright Horizons North Finchley Day Nursery and Preschool
- Bright Horizons Floral Place Day Nursery and Preschool
- Bright Horizons Palmers Green Day Nursery And Pre School
- Bright Horizons Salcombe Day Nursery and Preschool
- Bright Horizons Southgate Day Nursery and Preschool
- Bright Horizons Stoke Newington Day Nursery and Preschool
- Bright Horizons Highbury Day Nursery
- Bright Horizons Mount Carmel Day Nursery and Preschool
- Smithfield House Children's Nursery
- 1a Nursery
- Newpark Montessori Nursery School
- The Co-operative Childcare Islington
- Kido Clerkenwell
- Moreland Primary School 0-2 Provision
- King Square Community Nursery at Rahere House
- Golden Lane Childrens Centre
- Fun In The Forest
- Monkey Puzzle Muswell Hill
- Gan on the Hill
- Kidz Kabin @ Fortismere
- Debutots at Muswell Hill Methodist Church
- 345 Pages Lane
- Rosemount Nursery
- Abi Nursery
- Kidz Kabin Pembroke Studios
- The Playhouse Nursery
Frequently asked questions
In Islington, children can begin private day nursery from around 3 months old. Government-funded early education becomes available the term after your child turns 3, with some families eligible for funding from age 2, or from 9 months for working parents.
In England, all 3 and 4-year-olds can receive 15 hours of funded early education per week during term time, with many working families eligible for up to 30 hours. There is also funded support for some 2-year-olds based on household circumstances, and entitlement for working parents of children from 9 months old to receive 30 hours per week for eligible families. The exact offer and start dates depend on your child’s age, your work status and when their birthday falls in the school year. Families can also benefit from Tax-free Childcare if both working parents earn less than £100k per year. For every £8 a parent pays into their online childcare account, the government adds an extra £2 up to a maximum of £2,000 per child, per year.
Nursery fees in Islington are at the higher end for London, typically ranging from **£95–£170 per day**, especially in prime areas like Angel and Highbury.
All nurseries in Islington are regulated by **Ofsted**, with funding and local services managed by **Islington Council**.
Ask about their use of local resources like Highbury Fields, staff-to-child ratios, waiting list length, and how they incorporate funded hours into their fee structure.
Applying for funding
Islington is covered by Islington, the local authority for this area. Search their website for early years funding to apply.
Visit the Islington 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
Childcare costs and government funding can be confusing. Our calculator cuts through it and shows you what to expect each month.
Get guidance from childcare experts
Our advice hub walks you through every stage of the process, so you know when to start looking and exactly what to ask when you visit.