General FAQs

Private nurseries can have some benefits over state-funded nurseries. A private day nursery may be able to offer a wider range of activities and facilities, as well as having greater flexibility in terms of hours and holidays to fit round the schedule of busy parents and carers.

Day nurseries can be a brilliant childcare option with many advantages for both children and parents. Early interaction with other children and caregivers promotes both social and emotional development. Many day nurseries also provide Early Years education which, combined with structured activities and routines, helps prepare children for the transition to school.

For parents, day nurseries provide peace of mind with the knowledge that your child is in a safe and nurturing environment. At Seymour House day nurseries our care is beyond brilliant.  We offer support and guidance for parents including flexibility to cater to different work schedules and needs.

Absolutely! A day nursery will ensure peace of mind for you as a parent and a caring, supportive environment for your child. When a child has begun their early years education in nursery school, they have already begun to develop invaluable social and cognitive skills that will set them on the right track as they move on to primary school and beyond.

The key differences between a nursery and a nursery school are the age group, the hours and the leadership. As the name suggests, a nursery school is very much focused on providing structured early years education and will have a trained teacher or headteacher in charge. Nursery schools may be privately run or attached to a primary school and are for children aged 3 to 5 years old. They are usually open term time only from around 9am until 3.30pm, Monday to Friday.

By comparison, a day nursery will often care for children from 3 months to 5 years old. Nursery opening times are usually much longer each day and, typically, they are open year round, though some may be term time only. A nursery includes all aspects of caring for young children with lots of opportunity for physical activity, social and emotional learning and early years education.

The daily cost of nursery care will depend on the number of hours and how many days your child attends. Using our easy Fee Calculator, you can quickly get an idea of childcare costs at any of the Seymour House nursery schools.

The daily cost of nursery care will depend on the number of hours and how many days your child attends. Using our easy Fee Calculator, you can quickly get an idea of childcare costs at any of the Seymour House nursery schools.

If you live in England, you may be entitled to free childcare for children aged 9 months to 4 years old. Eligibility will depend on your child’s age and circumstances, whether you are working and your income. If you are eligible and your child is aged 9 months to 2 years old, you can get up to 15 hours per week of free childcare. For children aged 3 to 4 years old, you can get up to 30 hours per week of free childcare.

Learn more about childcare funding.

No age is too early for nursery. Every family has different childcare needs due to work or other commitments. However, it is important to ensure that the nursery you choose has the experienced staff and facilities necessary to provide the level of care required for young babies. Visiting different nurseries to ensure their infant day care provision aligns with your priorities and values is the best way to find the ideal fit for you and your child.

Not at all! Starting nursery at 3 years old or later will still help children with the social skills and cognitive development that will help prepare them for school. However, at Seymour House we advise parents to start their children at nursery as early as possible. The nurturing environment of a nursery school really does give them the best start in life.

Ofsted is required by law to inspect all group setting daycare providers. A new day nursery will be inspected by Ofsted within 30 months of registration. Following that, nurseries are inspected at least once every 6 years to ensure they continue to meet the statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage in a safe and appropriate environment. All Seymour House nurseries have an Outstanding Ofsted rating.

A private nursery is an independent childcare facility, typically owned by an individual or a private organisation, rather than being run by the local authority or a primary school.

Many private nurseries care for children from birth up to five years old and often offer flexible, extended hours throughout the year, unlike school-based nurseries which may only operate during term time. Private nurseries undergo Ofsted inspections the same as other early years and childcare providers.

Seymour House is passionate about providing beyond brilliant childcare in each of their 12 private nurseries across Essex and Hertfordshire. Find a nursery near you.

Absolutely! Many parents find private nurseries to be an excellent choice for their child’s care and early years education.

Private nurseries usually offer a degree of flexibility with extended hours and year-round operation, which can be ideal for working families. Additionally, private nurseries are typically well-resourced, with dedicated staff and a wide range of activities designed to promote development through play. Whilst quality can vary between individual settings, reputable private nurseries are inspected by Ofsted. This ensures they meet high standards of childcare and education, and comply to the Statutory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), making them a very positive environment for many children.

At Seymour House we provide a beyond brilliant nursery experience, with outstanding care and inspirational education.

Yes, it’s possible for a child to attend two nursery settings, provided both early years providers are happy with the arrangement and it fits with your childcare needs. Many nurseries are flexible about split weeks or shared patterns. If eligible for funding, it is important to discuss with both providers how this will be split.

Some families choose this option to help balance work schedules or family routines. You’ll need to check with each nursery how they handle registrations and timetables, and make sure each setting can provide the safe, consistent care your little one needs. It’s important that both nurseries understand your child’s routines and any developmental milestones. A smooth handover between settings and clear communication will help your child feel comfortable and secure.

At Seymour House nurseries you can choose the days your child attends, subject to availability. Our friendly team ensure your child always feels happy and settled.

You can find out more about the process of applying for a nursery place with us over on our enrolment page.

Yes, children can attend nurseries in England from 6 weeks onwards. At Seymour House we take children from 3 months old. Our settings provide dedicated baby or toddler rooms designed specifically to support very young children in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework.

At this age, nursery is focused on nurturing care, secure attachments and play-based experiences that support early development. Every family is different, so there’s no single “right” age to start nursery. What matters most is choosing a setting where you feel confident your child will feel safe, supported and cared for.

Our Early Years Educators at Seymour House are experienced in caring for little ones of all ages. Even at one year old, we engage babies in play experiences that encourage them to explore and spark their love for learning.

Learn more about our infant daycare where we create magical early years experiences.

No, it’s not compulsory for a two-year-old to attend nursery. In England, the legal requirement for children to be in full-time education is from the start of the term after their fifth birthday. Going to nursery before that age is entirely optional.

There are many different reasons why families choose nursery for their two-year-old. Whilst for many it may primarily be due to work or other commitments, the social interaction, routine and play-based learning opportunities at nursery also have many benefits.

The important thing to remember is that early childhood development happens in many different ways, whether at home, with family or in an early years setting. And every child is different. What may be right for your two-year-old may not work for some else’s.

If you are considering nursery, visiting settings and speaking with the team can help you decide what feels right for you and your child. You can book a tour to visit any Seymour House nursery. Find a nursery near you and follow the link to the enquiry form.