How many nurseries operate in London
Greater London has roughly 250 nurseries and preschools that target international and high-fee paying domestic families, the deepest such market in Europe. The cluster splits into four distinct types. Around 90 are independent UK pre-prep schools running their own early years foundation, taking children from age 2 through age 4 and feeding into reception at the same school. Around 70 are commercial nursery groups such as Bright Horizons, Bumpkins, Hopes and Dreams and N Family Club, mostly full day care for working parents. Around 50 are Montessori-led settings. The remaining 40 or so are national-school early years units such as the American School in London Early Childhood Center, the Lycee maternelle, Deutsche Schule Kindergarten and the Japanese School yochien.
The Ofsted register is the regulatory anchor. Every nursery, however premium, is inspected against the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Around 1,800 London nurseries hold registration; the 250 in scope for international families are the subset that publish in English, accept passport-based admissions and price above the council-funded baseline.
Fees and the London tiers
London nursery fees divide neatly into three tiers. The value tier of GBP 11,400 to GBP 16,800 a year covers council-area private nurseries and the smaller Montessori group settings. The mid tier of GBP 17,000 to GBP 22,500 covers most of the established premium nursery groups including Bright Horizons, Bumpkins and N Family Club. The premium tier of GBP 22,500 to GBP 28,600 covers the international school early years departments such as ASL ECC, the Lycee maternelle and the pre-prep nurseries attached to schools like Pembridge Hall and Eaton House.
Two cost traps catch newcomers. Registration fees of GBP 250 to GBP 750 are non-refundable. Acceptance deposits, usually equal to one full term's fees, are credited only against the first term of attendance, not refundable on withdrawal. The government's 15 hours funded entitlement applies from age 3 at most settings but is delivered at a council rate, leaving the full premium tier to be funded privately. For a fuller picture see our London fees deep dive.
Not sure which London nursery is the right fit?
Take our 5 minute school finder quiz. We shortlist three London settings based on your child's age, your borough, your preferred curriculum and your start date.
Illustrative example nurseries
The settings below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each operates a current Outstanding or Good Ofsted rating and has been running for at least seven years.
The American School in London Early Childhood Center in St John's Wood is the early years arm of ASL. It runs the only purpose-built American pre-K through K2 setting in central London, with a direct progression route into the main ASL elementary division.
Eaton House the Vale in Belgravia is one of the city's longest established pre-prep settings, accepting children from age 2. It is a regular feeder into Wetherby, Garden House and Eaton House the Manor for boys.
Bumpkins Nursery in Knightsbridge runs full day care from 6 months to age 5, with a French and Spanish bilingual programme available across most age rooms. Strong on continuity, with around 60 percent of pupils staying for three or more years.
Pembridge Hall Pre-Prep in Notting Hill is the early years partner of Pembridge Hall and a frequent feeder into the academically selective west London prep school market.
Bright Horizons The Wells in Hampstead is the flagship north London branch of the largest commercial nursery group. Strong outdoor learning model and a popular working parent option for families in NW3.
Where young families live
Young expat families in London cluster around the same five neighbourhoods that anchor the wider school market. Belgravia, Knightsbridge and Chelsea for diplomatic and finance-sector families using Eaton House, Bumpkins and Hill House. Notting Hill, Holland Park and Kensington for west-London creative and media families using Pembridge Hall, Wetherby and the Lycee maternelle. St John's Wood, Hampstead and Belsize Park for the American and Israeli expatriate cluster around ASL ECC, the American Stage Door and Bright Horizons The Wells. Wimbledon, Putney and Richmond for second-posting families looking for green space and a path into King's College School and Wimbledon High. Canary Wharf and the new Battersea Power Station developments are now adding apartment-based nursery demand fed by riverbus and Northern line. For a wider view see our London cost calculator.
Admissions and the London waiting list
London's nursery admissions market is the most front-loaded in Europe. Premium settings such as Eaton House the Vale, Pembridge Hall and the ASL ECC routinely operate waiting lists 18 to 24 months long for the under-three rooms. Most settings rank applicants by date of registration, not by interview, so the safest strategy is to register the moment a London move is confirmed. Some settings, including a number of the Notting Hill pre-preps, register children at birth.
Mid-market and commercial nurseries operate to a much shorter cycle. Bright Horizons, Bumpkins and N Family Club typically place a child within four to eight weeks subject to room availability. The main intake months are September, January and the Easter break. For September entry to a pre-prep nursery, registration should be in by the previous January at the latest.
Frequently asked questions
How many international nurseries are there in London?
Greater London supports roughly 250 nurseries and preschools that target international families and the wider private market. Ofsted regulates around 1,800 London early years settings in total; the 250 in scope publish in English, take passport-based admissions and price above the council-funded baseline.
What age do London nurseries start from?
Most accept children from 6 months through age 4. Settings split into baby rooms for 6 to 18 months, toddler rooms for 18 months to 3 years, and pre-reception or FS1 rooms for ages 3 to 4.
How much do international nurseries in London cost?
Annual fees run from about GBP 11,400 at council-area private nurseries to GBP 28,600 at the international school early years departments. Most full day premium settings cluster at GBP 17,000 to GBP 22,500.
Do London nurseries follow EYFS?
All Ofsted-registered nurseries in London are inspected against the Early Years Foundation Stage. National-school settings such as the Lycee maternelle and ASL ECC overlay their own home curriculum on top of EYFS rather than instead of it.
When should I apply for a London nursery?
Apply 12 to 24 months ahead at premium pre-prep nurseries and 4 to 8 weeks ahead at commercial nursery groups. The main intake months are September, January and the Easter break.
