Nurseries and childcare in Manchester
We know of 109 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers across Manchester. 2 are state nursery schools, shown below with their latest Ofsted inspection: 2 of 2 judged good or better. Most nurseries are private, voluntary or part of a school, and Ofsted inspects those too: every one has a report on Ofsted’s website.
State nursery schools across Manchester
- Collyhurst Nursery SchoolGood or better Standards maintained (2025) · phone and directions
- Martenscroft Nursery School & Children's CentreGood or better Outstanding (2024)
Each name goes to its Ofsted reports. Primary schools, many with a nursery class, are on the schools page.
Nurseries and childcare by area
A few to start with
- Bear Necessities Childcare Home service 72A Blackley New Rd., Manchester, M9 8EG 5 Call
- Bright Horizons Didsbury Day Nursery and Preschool Preschool 139a Barlow Moor Rd, Manchester, M20 2DY 5 Call
- Brighter Beginnings Preschool Charlestown Sure Start Children's Centre, 21 Colmore Dr, Manchester, M9 7GB 5 Call
- Collyhurst Nursery School Home service Teignmouth St, Manchester, M40 7QD 5 Call
- Georgie Porgie's Nursery Preschool Church Ln, Manchester, M9 5 Call
- Heaton Park View Nursery Preschool 315 Middleton Rd, Manchester, M24 4GY 5 Call
- Littleways Daisy Bank Preschool 78a Daisy Bank Rd, Manchester, M14 5GL 5 Call
- Martenscroft Nursery School & Sure Start Children's Centre Preschool 33 Epping St, Manchester, M15 6PA 5 Call
- Merry Kidz Day Nursery Day care preschool Ashton Old Rd, Manchester, M12 5 Call
- Milky Way Pre School Playgroup Preschool 19 Birch Ln, Manchester, M13 0NW 5 Call
- Over The Rainbow Day Care Day care preschool Rainbow Day Care, Over The, Manchester, M40 8WN 5 Call
- Precious Kids Day Nursery Day care preschool 322 Moston Ln, Manchester, M40 9WB 5 Call
- Simply Cherish Day Nursery Day care preschool 77 Alexandra Rd S, Manchester, M16 8GJ 5 Call
- Small Wonders PDN Ltd Preschool Connaughton House, 315 Mount Rd, Manchester, M19 3BH 5 Call
- Tarbiyah Nurseries Ltd Day care preschool Smedley Ln, Manchester, M8 5 Call
- Tiddlywinks Nursery Day care preschool Taunton St, Manchester, M4 7FA 5 Call
- WMB Hillcity Day Nursery Day care preschool Tamerton Dr, Manchester, M8 0DH 3 Call
- Alexandra Park Creative Nursery School Preschool 80 Demesne Rd, Manchester, M16 8PH Call
- Alexandra Park Play Centre Child care and day care Alexander Park, Manchester, M16 Call
- Belthorne Childrens Centre Child care and day care Belthorne Ave, Manchester, M9 Call
- Big Life Nurseries Preschool Longsight Children's Centre, 1a Farrer Rd, Manchester, M13 Call
- Boxgrove Walk Childrens Centre Child care and day care Boxgrove Walk, Manchester, M8 Call
- Bright Horizons Trafford Nursery and Preschool Preschool 463 Stretford Rd, Manchester, M16 9AB Call
- Broom Avenue Childrens Centre Child care and day care 1 Broom Ave Unit 1, Manchester, M19 2UH 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 Manchester?
We know of 109 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers across Manchester, including 2 state nursery schools. 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.