Early years settings

Nurseries, pre-schools and childminders provide childcare and early education to young children from birth to 5 years old. There is lots of support with cost of childcare, find out more on our Free and funded childcare page.

All early years settings support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). If your child has SEND you can talk about their need with any of the staff, or with Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO).

There are:

• Day nurseries for children aged from 3 months to 5 years old
• School nurseries for children aged 2 or 3 to 5, sometimes younger
• Pre-school playgroup for children age 2 to 5, sometimes younger
• Childminders for children age from 3 months to 5 years old. 

You can read more about the different types of early education and childcare  in our childcare section. 

Find an early years setting