Nurseries and childcare in Breckland
We know of 40 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers across Breckland. Most nurseries are private, voluntary or part of a school, and Ofsted inspects those too: every one has a report on Ofsted’s website.
Nurseries and childcare by area
A few to start with
- Beetley and District Pre School Preschool The Mobile, Elmham Rd, Dereham, NR20 5 Call
- East Dereham Day Nursery Day care preschool 4 Theatre St, Dereham, NR19 2EW 5 Call
- Kings Park Pre-School Preschool King's Park, Dereham, NR19 5 Call
- Sporle Pre School Preschool The St, King's Lynn, PE32 5 Call
- Teenie Iceni's Day Nursery Day care preschool The Community Centre, Swaffham, PE37 7RB 5 Call
- Hall Farm Nursery School Home service Quidenham, NR16 2JW Call
- Happyfeet Day Nursery Day care preschool St Giles Rd, Thetford, IP25 5 Call
- Jelly Tots Nursery Preschool 3DY, Thetford, IP24 Call
- Kenninghall Pre School Nursery Preschool Kenninghall Primary School, Kenninghall, NR16 Call
- Litcham & Dereham Children's Centre Day care preschool London Road, Dereham, NR19 1AS Call
- Litcham Childcare Preschool Weasenham Road, Litcham, PE 322 Call
- Noah's Ark Preschool Preschool Worthing Road, Dereham, NR20 Call
- Norwich Road Nursery Day care preschool Norwich Rd, Attleborough, NR Call
- Pavilion Pre School Nursery & Out of School Club Child care and day care Thieves Lane, Attleborough, NR17 5 Call
- Prestige Au Pairs Child care and day care Hall Farmhouse, Beetley, NR20 Call
- Scarning Pre School Preschool Scarning Pre School, Dereham, NR19 Call
- Scribbles Pre-school Group - Bawdeswell Preschool Fakenham Road, Bawdeswell, Dereham NR20 4RR, Dereham, NR 204 Call
- Shipdham Pre-School Day care preschool Pound Green Lane, Thetford, IP25 Call
- Swaffham Pre-school Playgroup Preschool Brandon Rd, Swaffham, PE37 Call
- The Appletree Day care preschool The Appletree Nursery and Preschool, Norwich Road, Attleborough, NR17 2JX Call
- The Grove House Nursery & Infants Community School Preschool Gilpins Ride, East Dereham, NR19 1BJ Call
- Thorpe Woodlands Forest Preschool and Toddler Group Day care preschool Thorpe Woodlands Adventure Centre, Thetford, IP24 2RX Call
- Traquinas Childcare Preschool 36 Old Croxton Rd, Thetford, IP24 1AG 5 Call
- Traquinas Hub Day care preschool Unit 11, Riverside walk, Thetford, IP24 2BB Call
Choosing a nursery
- Read the latest Ofsted report. Search by name or postcode on reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Private nurseries and childminders are on it as well as school nurseries.
- Visit, and ask about the day. Ratios of staff to children, how they settle a new child in, food, naps and time outdoors.
- Ask about funded hours and extra charges. Some nurseries charge for meals, nappies or trips on top of funded hours.
- Check waiting lists early. Popular nurseries fill months ahead, especially for babies.
Questions people ask
What do Ofsted grades mean for nurseries?
Until late 2025 Ofsted gave one overall grade: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate. Newer inspections give a report card instead, grading each area on a scale from exceptional to urgent improvement. Older grades stay on a nursery’s record until its next inspection.
Can I get free childcare hours?
In England every three and four year old can get 15 hours a week of funded childcare in term time. Working parents can get up to 30 hours a week from when their child is nine months old, if each parent earns at least 16 hours a week at the minimum wage and under £100,000 a year. Check and apply at childcarechoices.gov.uk.
How do I check a nursery’s Ofsted report?
Search for it by name or postcode on reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Every registered nursery and childminder in England has a page there with its inspection reports.
How many nurseries are there in Breckland?
We know of 40 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers across Breckland. Childminders working from home don’t always appear on maps, so there may be more.
Other things people look for
Nursery school inspections from Ofsted, Open Government Licence. Listings from Overture Maps, the Food Standards Agency and © OpenStreetMap contributors. Missing one? Tell us.