Nurseries in Kent
Kent is a large and diverse county in South East England known for its coastal towns, countryside villages, historic cities and excellent transport links into London. Covering postcode districts such as CT1–CT21, ME1–ME20, TN1–TN40 and DA1–DA13, Kent includes well-known family areas such as Canterbury, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Ashford and Dartford. Families benefit from strong rail connections, including HS1 services from Ashford and Canterbury to London St Pancras, as well as the M20, M25, A2 and M2. The county offers extensive green space, seaside destinations, nature reserves and family attractions, making it popular with both commuting and relocating families. Childcare demand is consistently high across the county, particularly in commuter belts and larger towns where families seek flexible, high-quality early years provision.
Parents in Kent typically pay £74 per day for childcare, which is slightly 2% lower than the UK average.
- Average Daily Cost
- £74
- Comparison
- -2% vs UK Average
- Total Capacity
- 24,836 places
Nurseries near you in Kent
Frequently Asked Questions
In Kent, private nurseries usually accept children from around 3 months old depending on availability. School and council nurseries generally offer places from age 2 or 3. Funded early education begins the term after a child turns 3, with earlier eligibility possible for some 2-year-olds or children of 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. Support is also available for eligible 2-year-olds based on household circumstances, and working parents of children from 9 months old are entitled to funded hours. Families may also benefit from Tax-Free Childcare, which adds a 20 percent government top-up to childcare payments up to £2,000 per child per year.
Nursery fees in Kent typically range from £60–£120 per day, with higher rates in Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells and parts of Canterbury due to strong commuter demand and local school catchment appeal.
All nurseries in Kent are regulated by Ofsted, with early years funding overseen by Kent County Council.
Ask about outdoor space, how the nursery makes use of nearby parks, beaches or countryside, the availability of funded hours, staff retention and any additional fees for meals, consumables or extended sessions. It is also worth asking about waiting lists in busy commuter areas.
Applying for funding
Kent is covered by Kent County Council, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the Kent County Council website
