Nurseries in Lancashire
Lancashire is a large and diverse North West county combining coastal towns, historic market centres and growing commuter communities. Covering postcode districts FY1–FY8, PR1–PR9, BB1–BB12, LA1–LA2 and parts of OL and WN, it includes Preston, Blackpool, Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley, Lancaster, Morecambe and surrounding areas. Families benefit from strong road and rail connectivity through the M6, M65 and West Coast Main Line, access to beaches, countryside, children’s centres, libraries, museums and a wide mix of primary schools. Nursery demand is consistently high around Preston, Chorley and East Lancashire, while coastal areas such as Lytham St Annes and Morecambe offer a mix of local childcare options.
Parents in Lancashire typically pay £67 per day for childcare, which is slightly 10% lower than the UK average.
- Average Daily Cost
- £67
- Comparison
- -10% vs UK Average
- Total Capacity
- 22,984 places
Nurseries near you in Lancashire
Frequently Asked Questions
In Lancashire, private nurseries typically accept children from around 3 months old, depending on staffing and places available. School and council-run nurseries generally offer places from age 2 or 3. Funded early education begins the term after your child turns 3, with some 2 year olds eligible earlier depending on circumstances or work status.
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.
Nursery fees in Lancashire generally range from £45–£90 per day, with higher rates typically seen in Preston, Chorley and more commuter-heavy areas. Coastal and rural settings may offer lower average daily rates.
All nurseries in Lancashire are regulated by Ofsted, with early years funding overseen by Lancashire County Council.
Ask about outdoor play areas, staff ratios, how funded hours are delivered, any additional costs for meals or nappies, sleep routines for babies, and how the nursery supports learning and development.
Applying for funding
Lancashire is covered by Lancashire County Council, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the Lancashire County Council website
