Best nurseries in Banbury
15 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools in Cherwell, best Ofsted result first: the latest report card or overall grade, then the most recent inspection. Childminders are not listed (Ofsted does not publish their addresses).
| # | Nursery | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quackers Day Nursery Full day care · 44 places · OX16 5AY | Good (2025) |
| 2 | The Sunshine Centre Full day care · 91 places · OX16 0PJ | Good (2025) |
| 3 | The Close Day Nursery School Full day care · 52 places · OX16 5HH | Good (2025) |
| 4 | St Mary's Playgroup Sessional day care · 26 places · OX16 0AE | Good (2024) |
| 5 | Chasewell Playgroup Sessional day care · 32 places · OX16 9YA | Good (2024) |
| 6 | Banbury School Day Nursery Ltd Full day care · 84 places · OX16 9HY | Good (2024) |
| 7 | Grimsbury Manor Nursery School Full day care · 93 places · OX16 3JX | Good (2024) |
| 8 | Grow Learn Play Project Full day care · 72 places · OX16 3WR | Good (2023) |
| 9 | Nära Horton Full day care · 55 places · OX16 9AL | Good (2023) |
| 10 | NOA's Ark Nursery Full day care · 53 places · OX16 0UD | Good (2022) |
| 11 | Smart Tots Day Nursery Full day care · 80 places · OX16 0AE | Good (2022) |
| 12 | Hobby Horse Children's Centre Full day care · 62 places · OX16 9PA | Good (2021) |
| 13 | Child First Banbury Nursery Full day care · 120 places · OX16 0AA | Report card: 5 expected (Jan 2026) |
| 14 | Little Dorothys Childcare Full day care · 30 places · OX16 1XE | Not yet inspected |
| 15 | Stagecoach Banbury Sessional day care · OX16 9DG | Not yet inspected |
How much does nursery cost in Banbury?
Typical weekly nursery prices for a child under two in South East, from the Coram Childcare Survey 2026. A guide only: ask each nursery for its own fees.
Working parents in England can get 30 funded hours a week in term time from when their child is 9 months old, so a 25-hour place can cost little or nothing in term time. Every 3 and 4 year old gets at least 15 funded hours. Funded hours cover 38 weeks a year; nurseries can charge for extra hours, meals and activities. Check what you can get at Childcare Choices.
Questions
What are the best nurseries in Banbury?
There are 15 nurseries and pre-schools in Banbury; listed first: Quackers Day Nursery, The Sunshine Centre, The Close Day Nursery School.
How much does nursery cost in Banbury?
In South East, a part-time place (25 hours a week) for a child under two typically costs £202 a week without funded hours (Coram Childcare Survey 2026). Working parents can get 30 funded hours a week in term time from 9 months.
How many nurseries are there in Banbury?
15 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools, 13 of them inspected so far.
Nurseries nearby
Bicester · Kidlington · Bodicote · Begbroke
Neighbourhoods
Banbury Calthorpe · Banbury Easington · Banbury Grimsbury · Banbury Hardwick · Banbury Neithrop · Banbury Ruscote
Source: Ofsted early years inspections. Ofsted's report card (from November 2025) grades curriculum, achievement, behaviour, children's welfare and leadership as exceptional, strong, expected, needs attention or urgent improvement; earlier inspections gave one overall grade.