Day nursery places in London
Full and part-time places from nine months to school age, in rooms grouped by developmental stage rather than birthday. Funded hours accepted from the term your child becomes eligible.
A day nursery provides full-day, year-round care for children from babyhood to school age, following the Early Years Foundation Stage. Earnest Care nurseries open 07:30-18:30 on weekdays, take children from nine months, accept all government-funded hours, and assign every child a named key person.
What a day at nursery actually looks like
Parents ask us this constantly and get vague answers elsewhere, so here is a real one. The day is structured but not regimented - the shape stays the same so children know what is coming, while what happens inside each block follows their current interests.
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 07:30 - 09:00 | Arrivals, breakfast, free play. Handover with your child's key person - tell us how the night went. |
| 09:00 - 10:00 | Welcome circle, then adult-led focused activity in small groups, planned around what the room is currently exploring. |
| 10:00 - 11:30 | Outdoors. Garden, water play, gross motor, digging, climbing. Waterproofs and wellies provided. |
| 11:30 - 12:30 | Lunch, cooked on site. Menus published weekly and rotate seasonally. |
| 12:30 - 14:30 | Sleep and rest for those who need it. Quiet activities, stories and one-to-one time for those who don't. |
| 14:30 - 16:00 | Child-led play, messy play, creative work, music, and small-group phonics and number for pre-schoolers. |
| 16:00 - 18:30 | Tea, calmer activities, and staggered collection with a proper verbal handover to whoever collects. |
How the rooms are organised
Children move rooms when they are developmentally ready, not on their birthday. A child who turns two but is still napping twice a day and not yet steady on their feet stays where they are settled.
Baby room · 9 months - 2 years
One adult to every three babies. Individual sleep and feeding routines followed exactly as they are at home, including bottles, comforters and nap timings.
Toddler room · 2 - 3 years
One adult to every four children. The year of enormous language growth, first friendships, messy play and - usually - potty training, which we support entirely at your child's pace.
Pre-school room · 3 years - school
One adult to every eight children. School readiness in the real sense: managing a coat, listening in a group, early phonics, and the confidence to ask an adult for help.
How much does a day nursery cost in London?
Our fees start from £00 per full day and £00 per hour, before any funding is applied. That includes all meals, snacks, nappies, wipes, suncream and outings - we do not itemise extras onto the bill afterwards, because that practice makes fees impossible to compare.
Most families pay considerably less than the headline rate once funded hours are applied. If your child is eligible for 30 hours and you use three full days, funding covers the substantial majority of the cost.
Work out what you would actually pay
How do I get a place?
Check availability
Call or send an enquiry with your child's age and the days you need. We will tell you the real position, including if there is a wait.
Visit the setting
Come and see the room your child would be in, during a session rather than after hours. Meet the key person.
Register and secure the place
A registration form, a deposit held against your first invoice, and your start date confirmed in writing.
Settle in
A staged series of short visits, building up at your child's pace. Never charged for, never rushed.
Other child care services
After-school club
Collection from school, a hot tea, homework support and play until you finish work.
Learn moreHoliday club
Full-day cover through every school holiday, with trips, sport and creative projects.
Learn moreChildminding
Small-group, home-based care with the same familiar adult every day.
Learn moreNanny & babysitting
Vetted, DBS-checked nannies and sitters in your own home, including at short notice.
Learn moreSEND support
Inclusive provision with 1:1 support, EHCP experience and close work with your local SEND team.
Learn moreFrequently asked questions
What age can a baby start nursery in the UK?
How much does a day nursery cost in London?
What are the staff-to-child ratios at nursery?
Do you provide meals and nappies?
Can my child attend part-time?
How does settling in work?
Let's talk about what your family needs
A short, no-pressure conversation is usually all it takes to work out the right kind of support. We will be honest with you if we are not the right fit.