Booking sessions
We have a minimum booking requirement of two sessions per week. As we currently have high demand for sessions, it might not always be possible to offer you every session you request, but we'll contact you when more places become available.
Early morning drop off runs between 8am and 8.30am*
Morning sessions run between 8.30am and 1.30pm
Afternoon sessions run between 1.30pm and 6pm
The Nursery closes on bank holidays and for two weeks at Christmas.
*Only bookable for those registered and attending morning sessions, limited spaces available.
GENERAL FEE RATE
2025 prices from 1 September 2025
| Unit | Early morning drop off (30 mins) | Full Days (9.5 hours) | Morning Session (5 hours) | Afternoon Session (4.5 hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby rooms | £5 | £76.20 | £58.70 | £53.60 |
| Toddler room | £5 | £74.20 | £55.60 | £48.40 |
| Pre-school | £5 | £74.20 | £55.60 | £48.40 |
Lunch is available in our baby rooms for £6 per meal, or parents can provide their own.
Early Years Support
From September 2025, Early Years childcare support is expanding.
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Eligible working parents can now apply for 30 hours of childcare to use from the term after their child turns 9 months until they reach school age. For information on eligibility, and to apply, please visit https://beststartinlife.
gov.uk If you are not eligible for the working parent offer, you will still receive the 15-hour entitlement for all 3 and 4 year olds from the term after your child turns 3 until they start school, irrespective of your income level, benefit status, or family circumstances.
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For those paying full rates and / or additional voluntary charges, the Toddler Room and Pre-School morning and full day includes a two course prepared lunch, snacks, nappies, suncream and additional resources.
Additional Charges (applied to funded hours only)
- Consumables charge: £3 per day. This covers single use items necessary for your child's care, such as nappies, baby wipes and suncream
- Snacks charge: £1.50 per session Children are served a healthy snack in the morning and afternoon. Please note a session is a morning or afternoon, so children attending for a full day will require two snacks.
- Lunch charge: £6 per day. This covers a hot lunch provided by the nursery. For more information on our menus, please visit our Food and Nutrition page.
If opted out of any of these charges, parents must provide lunch, snacks and/or consumables.
Closure dates
- April 3 2026
- April 6 2026
- May 4 2026
- May 25 2026
- August 31 2026
- Christmas closure dates: December 21 2026 to January 1 2027 inclusive.
Register
Eligibility
Our nursery is open to all, including University students, staff and members of the public. We're able to take children up to 5 years and 11 months, including children who have already started school and may need childcare during half-term and summer holidays.
We can currently take a maximum of 94 children. We have capacity for up to 30 spaces in the baby rooms, with a 1:3 staffing ratio. 32 children in our toddler room with a 1:4 staffing ratio and 32 children in our pre-school room with a 1:8 staffing ratio
Register your interest - free of charge!
To register your interest in the Nursery please complete our waiting list form and your child will be placed on our waiting list until a place is available. Priority is given to existing members, their siblings, and then new children in date order.
We currently have a long waiting list for children under two years old, so register as soon as possible and get in touch with us to check your place on the waiting list. There's no charge to go onto the waiting list. When you're offered a place, you'll be invited to visit with your child.
When your child is offered a place, you will be invited to visit the Nursery with your child. You are welcome to stay while they settle in. Children are encouraged to "settle in" to the Nursery at their own rate and according to individual needs.
The Nursery is fully registered with the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted). The Registration Certificate is on display in the Nursery. All staff are fully DBS checked and approved to work with children under 8 years of age. All Nursery policies are available on request.
Information for University of York Staff and Students
Fees
- Campus, postgraduates and public fees are based on a 50 week year. (Two weeks closure at Christmas and five other bank holiday closures are not charged for).
- Fees for undergraduate students are based on a 37 week year (October to June). Places may be retained at a cost of 20% of full cost over the whole of the summer vacation (July, August and September).
- Students can also approach the Students Union or the Student Financial Support Unit for help and advice regarding finances.
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If you are not eligible for the working parent offer you will still receive the 15 hour entitlement for all 3 and 4 year olds from the term after your child turns 3 until they start school, irrespective of your income level, benefit status, or family circumstances.
- The University operates Nursery Extra / Nursery Plus and / Tax Free Childcare benefits for employees as follows:
Student rate
| Unit | Early morning drop off (30 mins) | Full Days (9.5 hours) | Morning Session (5 hours) | Afternoon Session (4.5 hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby rooms | £5 | £71.10 | £53.60 | £48.40 |
| Toddler room | £5 | £69 | £50.50 | £43.30 |
| Pre-school | £5 | £69 | £50.50 | £43.30 |
