Best nurseries in Lowestoft
17 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools in East Suffolk, 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 | Uplands Pre-School Sessional day care · 35 places · NR33 8LJ | Outstanding (2025) |
| 2 | YMCA Childcare Water Lane Sessional day care · 51 places · NR32 2NH | Good (2025) |
| 3 | Victoria Pre-School Sessional day care · 50 places · NR33 8LJ | Good (2025) |
| 4 | Scribbles Day Nursery (Seashore) Full day care · 90 places · NR32 1JH | Good (2025) |
| 5 | Rainbow Day Nursery Full day care · 48 places · NR32 2NY | Good (2024) |
| 6 | Somerleyton Pre School Sessional day care · 22 places · NR32 5QB | Good (2024) |
| 7 | Blundeston Pre-School Full day care · 40 places · NR32 5BE | Good (2024) |
| 8 | Carlton Colville Preschool Sessional day care · 21 places · NR33 8BT | Good (2024) |
| 9 | Kids Zone Childcare Limited Full day care · 42 places · NR32 3LQ | Good (2023) |
| 10 | Elm Tree Nursery Full day care · 30 places · NR33 9HN | Good (2023) |
| 11 | St Benedict's Pre-School Sessional day care · 30 places · NR32 4AX | Good (2023) |
| 12 | Trinity Nursery Sessional day care · 24 places · NR32 4HU | Good (2023) |
| 13 | Kirkley Nursery Full day care · 52 places · NR33 0LU | Good (2023) |
| 14 | St Peter's Penguins Pre School Sessional day care · 26 places · NR33 0NE | Good (2022) |
| 15 | YMCA Childcare - St Margaret's Road Full day care · 51 places · NR32 4HW | Good (2021) |
| 16 | Little Buddies Pre-School Sessional day care · 24 places · NR33 9BU | Report card: 5 expected (Nov 2025) |
| 17 | EA Gymnastics - Lowestoft Full day care · NR32 2EP | Not yet inspected |
How much does nursery cost in Lowestoft?
Typical weekly nursery prices for a child under two in East of England, 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 Lowestoft?
Of 17 nurseries and pre-schools in Lowestoft, 1 have Ofsted's top results (Outstanding, or mostly strong or exceptional on the new report card). Listed first: Uplands Pre-School, YMCA Childcare Water Lane, Victoria Pre-School.
How much does nursery cost in Lowestoft?
In East of England, a part-time place (25 hours a week) for a child under two typically costs £192 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 Lowestoft?
17 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools, 16 of them inspected so far.
Nurseries nearby
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.