Browse by topic
Funding & Costs
Funded hours, Tax-Free Childcare and what nursery really costs.
4 guides
Choosing & Inspecting
Checklists, Ofsted reports, ratios and childcare types compared.
4 guides
Settling In & Nursery Life
Settling-in sessions, first days, sickness rules and starting age.
4 guides
Early Learning & Development
EYFS explained, school readiness and everyday routines.
3 guides
Where are you up to?
Pick the stage that fits and start with the guides most parents read first.
Expecting or on parental leave
Work out costs and funding before you start looking.
Looking for a nursery
Compare settings, read inspection reports and ask the right questions.
Starting soon
Settling-in, packing the bag and the first few weeks.
Preparing for school
What reception teachers hope children can do.
Most read
30 hours funded childcare: a plain-English guide for working parents
Who qualifies for 30 hours funded childcare in England, how the hours work in practice, and the steps to apply and reconfirm your code.
2 min read
Choosing the right nursery: a parent's checklist
A practical checklist for visiting and comparing nurseries, from first impressions and staff to food, outdoor space and communication.
2 min read
Settling in at nursery: what to expect and how to help
How nursery settling-in sessions work, how long they take, and practical tips to help your child (and you) through the transition.
2 min readQuestions parents ask us most
Why you can trust these guides
Checked against official sources
Every guide links to the GOV.UK, NHS, UKHSA or Ofsted pages it relies on.
Reviewed regularly
Funding rules and ratios change. Each guide shows when it was last reviewed.
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No nursery pays to appear here, and we don't rank or recommend individual providers.
Funding & Costs
View all30 hours funded childcare: a plain-English guide for working parents
Who qualifies for 30 hours funded childcare in England, how the hours work in practice, and the steps to apply and reconfirm your code.
2 min read15 hours free childcare: who qualifies and how to claim it
A clear breakdown of the 15 hours free childcare entitlements in England, the universal offer for 3–4s, support for 2-year-olds and working parent hours.
2 min readTax-Free Childcare and childcare vouchers compared
How Tax-Free Childcare works, who can still use childcare vouchers, and how to work out which saves your family more money.
2 min readHow much does nursery cost in the UK?
What drives UK nursery fees, how costs vary by region and age, and practical ways to budget and reduce your childcare bill.
2 min readChoosing & Inspecting
View allChoosing the right nursery: a parent's checklist
A practical checklist for visiting and comparing nurseries, from first impressions and staff to food, outdoor space and communication.
2 min readUnderstanding Ofsted report cards and nursery inspection ratings
How Ofsted inspects nurseries and childminders, what the new report cards show, and how to read an inspection report as a parent.
2 min readDay nursery vs childminder: which is right for your family?
Compare day nurseries and registered childminders on cost, flexibility, group size, learning and reliability to find the best fit for your child.
2 min readStaff-to-child ratios in UK early years settings
The legal minimum staff-to-child ratios for nurseries and childminders in England, and why they matter for your child's care.
2 min readSettling In & Nursery Life
View allSettling in at nursery: what to expect and how to help
How nursery settling-in sessions work, how long they take, and practical tips to help your child (and you) through the transition.
2 min readYour child's first day at nursery: a calm, practical guide
What to pack, how to prepare the night before, and how to handle drop-off and pick-up on your child's first full day at nursery.
2 min readWhen should my child stay off nursery? Sickness and exclusion explained
Common nursery illnesses, typical exclusion periods based on UK health guidance, and what to check in your nursery's sickness policy.
2 min readWhat's the right age for your child to start nursery?
The pros and considerations of starting nursery as a baby, toddler or preschooler, plus signs your child might be ready.
2 min readEarly Learning & Development
View all
The EYFS framework made simple
What the Early Years Foundation Stage is, the seven areas of learning, and how nurseries track and share your child's progress.
2 min readIs my child ready for school? A practical milestones checklist
The everyday skills that help children settle into reception, independence, communication, social skills and early learning.
2 min readSleep, potty training and weaning: working with your nursery
How nurseries handle nap schedules, potty training and weaning, and how to keep routines consistent between home and nursery.
2 min read