Nurseries in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a well-connected South East county known for its blend of historic university city life, beautiful countryside and thriving market towns, making it a strong choice for families seeking quality early years provision. Covering postcode districts OX1-OX49, it includes Oxford, Banbury, Bicester, Witney, Abingdon, Didcot and surrounding villages. Families benefit from rail links to London Paddington, London Marylebone and the Midlands, as well as access to the A34, M40 and A420. The county offers riverside parks, children’s centres, libraries, museums, playgrounds and strong primary schools. Nursery and preschool demand is consistently high around Oxford, Bicester and key commuter towns with growing new-build communities.
Parents in Oxfordshire typically pay £82 per day for childcare, which is slightly 10% higher than the UK average.
- Average Daily Cost
- £82
- Comparison
- +10% vs UK Average
- Total Capacity
- 7,876 places
Nurseries near you in Oxfordshire
Frequently Asked Questions
In Oxfordshire, private nurseries typically accept children from around 3 months old, depending on staffing and availability. School and council nurseries usually 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 Oxfordshire generally range from £70–£150 per day, with higher rates in Oxford city centre, Headington, Summertown, Bicester and popular commuter towns.
All nurseries in Oxfordshire are regulated by Ofsted, with early years funding overseen by Oxfordshire County Council.
Ask about outdoor play space, access to local parks, staff turnover, how funded hours are delivered, and any optional charges for meals, outings or extended care.
Applying for funding
Oxfordshire is covered by Oxfordshire County Council, the local authority for this area. Visit their website to apply for early years funding.
Apply for funding on the Oxfordshire County Council website
