Nurseries in Manchester
Manchester is the core city of Greater Manchester, known for its vibrant culture, employment opportunities and excellent transport links. Popular neighbourhoods for families include Didsbury, Chorlton, Withington, Ancoats and the city centre. The city has high nursery demand, particularly around MediaCity, Oxford Road and family suburbs in South Manchester.
Parents in Manchester typically pay £68 per day for childcare, which is slightly 10% lower than the UK average.
- Average Daily Cost
- £68
- Comparison
- -10% vs UK Average
- Total Capacity
- 18,546 places
Nurseries near you in Manchester
Frequently Asked Questions
In Manchester, private nurseries typically accept children from around 3 months old, with school nurseries generally offering places from age 2 or 3. Funded early education begins the term after a child’s 3rd birthday.
In England, all 3 and 4 year olds receive 15 funded hours each week, with many working families eligible for 30 hours. Some 2 year olds and eligible working parents of children from 9 months old can also access funded hours. Tax-Free Childcare offers a 20% government top-up on childcare spend.
Manchester nursery fees usually range from £55–£90 per day, with the highest rates around the city centre, Didsbury, Chorlton and MediaCity.
All nurseries in Manchester are regulated by Ofsted and early years funding is managed by Manchester City Council.
Ask about outdoor space, meals, availability of funded hours, waiting list times and how children are supported to learn through play.
Applying for funding
Manchester is covered by Manchester City Council, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the Manchester City Council website
