Best nurseries in Brighton and East Sussex
Similar to other regions in England, nurseries in East Sussex typically fall into two categories: day nurseries and preschools. Day nurseries provide fulltime care for children, from babies up to school age, offering flexible hours for working parents. In contrast, preschools often follow school term times and hours and are either standalone or attached to primary school.
Demand for preschools in East Sussex is typically high, so it’s advisable to register your child as early as possible. Additionally, enrolling in a preschool or nursery attached to a private prep school can sometimes give your child the upper hand when you’re trying to secure a reception place. It is worth noting that this will not be the case in state primary schools with a preschool, where there are no guarantees. The best day nurseries, such as the East Sussex chain Bluebells, will also have waiting lists, so it’s important to plan ahead, do your research and register well in advance. Some chains like Busy Bees will even allow you to register your child before they are born. For more tips, check out our guide to choosing a nursery.
Nurseries in Brighton and Hove
Depending on what you are looking for, there is no shortage of options available in the area. A wonderful choice for those intending to move up through the school is Brighton College Prep Nursery, where children can start at 3 years old. Lancing College’s Prep in Hove also has a preschool for 3 year olds, where specialist staff teach music and PE, and they even go swimming every week in the big school’s pool. Very much the prep’s preschool with the creative early years curriculum extending into the reception year and with almost all the children continuing into the prep school.
Pumpkin Patch, a small local chain popular with working parents, has a couple of settings in both Brighton and Hove. Heavily oversubscribed, it has wraparound full-time care from 12 weeks. Another option for year-round care is Little Acorns which welcomes babies from 9 months old and is handily situated in the north of the city.
Tarnerland Nursery School, right in the centre of Brighton, is a maintained nursery school funded by the local authority. Open pretty much all year round, it is known for its all-round inclusive care from 3 months old.
Located in Hove’s library, the Hove Village Pre School is another popular private nursery in the area. Babies can start at 12 weeks, and it is open from 7.30am year-round.
Nurseries near Eastbourne
Bede’s Prep School has its own nursery. ‘You can't beat it for location. At the upmarket end of the grassy Eastbourne seafront, where the land curves and rises to the great cliff of Beachy Head,’ writes our reviewer, who was also impressed by the ‘bright-eyed vitality of the teachers’, with every member of staff mental health first aid trained. Pretty impressive stuff. St Andrew’s Prep Nursery is another good option, accepting babies from 9 months and is open 50 weeks of the year – it is unusual in its wraparound offering for such young babies whilst also being part of a successful prep school. All the benefits of full-time nursery care with the facilities and opportunities of a large school.
Busy Bees and Bluebells are popular chains with nurseries in Eastbourne, both oversubscribed. Busy Bees will allow you to register your baby before it is even born, which is definitely worth considering.
Nurseries near Hastings
At 2 years old your little one can join Little Vines, the nursery at Marlborough House Vinehall School in Robertsbridge. Open for 50 weeks of the year the nursery welcomes children planning on heading into the pre-prep at the school as well as those who are looking for a standalone nursery. Specialist teachers for gym, music, French and swimming ensure you get the very best early years provision.
North of Hastings in the village of Heathfield you can find another branch of the Bluebell nurseries. Bluebell Wood gets rave reviews and a lot of interest, so register early.
Nurseries near Lewes
Across the border in West Sussex is Cumnor House School’s Nursery. This popular prep school has a friendly nursery, offering 7am-7pm care for fifty weeks of the year from the age of 2, in its own purpose-built block with stunning views of the South Downs.
Busy Bees also has a well-regarded branch in Lewes itself. If you are looking for a day nursery from 3 months, then it would also be worth considering the School House Nurseries. With a branch in Lewes and one in Uckfield, this small chain offers a Montessori approach with weekly forest school for the older ones.
Nurseries near Crowborough
In central Crowborough, St Mary’s Nursery School is the main contender – your child can join from 2.5 years old. Located next to St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, they have a close relationship and share facilities, but a place at the nursery does not guarantee a place at this popular primary school. No wraparound care and term time only.
Bluebell Wood in Heathfield is part of the Bluebell nursery chain. Also in Heathfield, Parkside Community Nursery School is a popular preschool linked to the primary school.