Best nurseries in Canterbury
22 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools, 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 | Stepping Stones Pre-School Sessional day care · 24 places · CT1 3JN | Outstanding (2023) |
| 2 | Garden Cottage Nursery At Kent College Full day care · 32 places · CT2 9AQ | Outstanding (2022) |
| 3 | Rough Common Pre-School Full day care · 46 places · CT2 9BS | Good (2025) |
| 4 | Bovan Creek Full day care · 40 places · CT1 1NG | Good (2024) |
| 5 | Blean Pre-School Sessional day care · 30 places · CT2 9JA | Good (2024) |
| 6 | Canterbury Day Nursery, Holiday Playscheme and ASC Full day care · 68 places · CT1 1NP | Good (2024) |
| 7 | Lilliput Pre-school Sessional day care · 26 places · CT1 1PA | Good (2024) |
| 8 | Little Oaks Day Nursery Full day care · 57 places · CT1 3NG | Good (2024) |
| 9 | Squirrels Pre-School CIO Full day care · 20 places · CT2 7AB | Good (2023) |
| 10 | Bright Horizons Canterbury Day Nursery and Preschool Full day care · 148 places · CT1 1SW | Good (2023) |
| 11 | Busy Bees Day Nursery at Canterbury Full day care · 80 places · CT2 7PH | Good (2023) |
| 12 | Tiny Stars Canterbury Full day care · 15 places · CT1 3RA | Good (2023) |
| 13 | Wincheap Pre-School Full day care · 24 places · CT1 3SD | Good (2022) |
| 14 | The Oaks Nursery Full day care · 90 places · CT2 7FL | Good (2022) |
| 15 | City View Pre-School and Nursery Full day care · 62 places · CT2 8PT | Good (2022) |
| 16 | Choochoos Day Nursery Full day care · CT2 8NE | Good (2022) |
| 17 | The Nursery At Canterbury College Full day care · 42 places · CT1 3AJ | Good (2021) |
| 18 | Jo Jo's Day Care Nursery - Canterbury Ltd Full day care · 77 places · CT1 3JT | Report card: 1 expected, 2 needs attention, 2 urgent improvement (Jan 2026) |
| 19 | Code Kids Canterbury Sessional day care · CT2 7JA | Not yet inspected |
| 20 | Primary Sports Giants Sessional day care · CT1 3EN | Not yet inspected |
| 21 | Stagecoach Canterbury Sessional day care · CT4 7AS | Not yet inspected |
| 22 | Teamtheme Holiday Sports Camp Sessional day care · CT2 7AB | Not yet inspected |
How much does nursery cost in Canterbury?
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 Canterbury?
Of 22 nurseries and pre-schools in Canterbury, 2 have Ofsted's top results (Outstanding, or mostly strong or exceptional on the new report card). Listed first: Stepping Stones Pre-School, Garden Cottage Nursery At Kent College, Rough Common Pre-School.
How much does nursery cost in Canterbury?
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 Canterbury?
22 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools, 18 of them inspected so far.
Nurseries nearby
Herne Bay · Whitstable · End
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.