Nurseries in Lambeth

Lambeth's latest Childcare Sufficiency Assessment found sufficient childcare across the borough.

In September 2024, Lambeth recorded:

9,019 Ofsted registered places for under 5s
1,860 vacancies
21% of registered places vacant

Availability differed by area:

Streatham: 24% vacancies
Norwood: 21%
North Lambeth: 20%
Brixton: 19%
Clapham and Stockwell: 19%

These are borough planning figures, not live nursery vacancies. Ask for availability for your child's exact age and required days.

Yes. Eligible working parents can receive 30 funded hours a week from the term after their child turns 9 months until school age.

The entitlement covers 38 weeks a year. Providers can stretch the hours across more weeks.

You must reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months.

Yes. Lambeth allows funded hours to be split between up to 2 providers.

You do not have to use all 30 hours. Check how each provider will divide the entitlement before accepting both places.

No. Lambeth Council states that not every childcare provider offers the extended funded entitlement.

Before joining a waiting list, confirm that the nursery accepts your funding code and can offer the funded hours on the days you need.

Lambeth's Early Years Inclusion Fund supports children aged 9 months to 4 years who receive funded early education and have emerging SEND.

A child can qualify without an Education, Health and Care Plan.

Lambeth states that eligible children should be at least 6 months behind expected development in 2 or more areas of learning.

The nursery applies for the funding with parental consent.

Lambeth states that approved Early Years Inclusion Funding takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks to be processed and received by the nursery.

For Autumn 2026, the next published application deadline is 30 November 2026, with the panel meeting on 10 December 2026.

If your child will need additional support from their first day, discuss this with the nursery before the start date.

Yes. In 2026 Lambeth increased funding for SEND Inclusion Units in its maintained nursery schools.

The borough now funds 45 SEND Inclusion Unit places, following the addition of 25 new places and an extra £250,000 a year of funding.

Confirm:

Availability: your child's age group and exact weekdays

Funding: whether the nursery offers your 30 funded hours

Cost: your monthly payment after funding and extras

Hours: actual drop off and collection times

SEND: whether support or inclusion funding must be arranged before starting

Get these details before paying a deposit.