Nurseries and childcare in East Suffolk
We know of 66 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers across East Suffolk. 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
- Felixstowe Nursery School Preschool John’s Hall, Ataka Rd, Felixstowe, IP11 5 Call
- Halesworth Day Nursery Day care preschool School Ln, Halesworth, IP19 8BW 5 Call
- Kirkley Nursery & Early Years Centre of Excellence Day care preschool Kirkley Street , Lowestoft, NR33 5 Call
- Little Buddies Pre-School Preschool Homefield Ave, Lowestoft, NR33 9BU 5 Call
- Old Felixstowe Nursery Preschool Ferry Rd Unit C, Felixstowe, IP11 5 Call
- St. Andrew's Pre School Group Preschool St Andrews Rd, Felixstowe, IP11 7EB 5 Call
- Sunflower Montessori Nursery School Preschool Lee Rd, Aldeburgh, IP15 5 Call
- Sunshine Preschool and Day Care Preschool The Beccles Centre, Castle Hill, Beccles, NR34 5 Call
- The Saplings Preschool 2 The Square, Ipswich, IP5 3SL Call
- Three Bears Playgroup Preschool Wilkinson Dr, Ipswich, IP5 5 Call
- YMCA Childcare Home service St Margaret's Road, 179 St Margarets Rd, Lowestoft, NR32 4HW 5 Call
- YMCA Childcare Water Lane Home service Water Ln, Lowestoft, NR32 2NH 5 Call
- Barnabas Pre-School Preschool Quay Church, Quay St, Woodbridge, IP12 1BX Call
- Benhall Preschool Preschool SCHOOL LANE BENHALL, Saxmundham, IP17 1HE Call
- Bridge Farm Nurseries: Martlesham and Rendlesham Day care preschool Top street, Woodbridge, IP12 Call
- Easton Pre-School Preschool Pound Corner, Easton Farm Park, Suffolk, IP13 Call
- First Stop Pre-School Preschool High Rd, Felixstowe, IP11 Call
- Golden Memories Day Care in Lowestoft and Beccles Day care preschool 259 London Road South, Lowestoft, NR33 0DS Call
- High House Childcare Home service High Street, Woodbridge, IP13 0RD Call
- Kids Zone Childcare Home service Sea Lake Rd, Lowestoft, NR32 Call
- Lingwood Kindergarten Preschool Corton Long Ln, Lowestoft, NR32 Call
- Little Foggies Playgroup Preschool Felixstowe Opportunity Group, Felixstowe School Grounds, Maidstone Road, Felixstowe, IP11 9EF Call
- Little Hoppers Pre-School Preschool St Phillips Church, Wadgate Rd, Felixstowe, IP11 2LY Call
- Little Jems Catholic Nursery Day care preschool 63 Orwell Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7PP 5 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 East Suffolk?
We know of 66 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers across East Suffolk. 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.