Do term time only nursery places exist?
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Hi, I also live in West London and encountered the same issue when looking for a nursery. I’ve only found one nursery that did a term time only place - they are out there but they’re limited. I’m not sure where abouts you’re based but it was called Rosewood Montessori. Also you can only use the 30 hours from when baby turns 1. At 9 months old, you’re entitled to 15 hours a week of funding. I hope that helps. Feel free to message me privately if you’d like more advice about nurseries. My son only started last month 🥹 so happy to share my experience privately.
Not sure if there are Kids Planet /Kids Allowed nurseries in the South, but the ones in the North West definitely offer term time only x
Have you considered a childminder? I find they're more affordable and a lot more flexible
My little boy's nursery used to offer termtime only places but annoyingly they stopped shortly before we signed him up 🤦♀️ I think it's so hard for nurseries to make a profit at the moment that they can't miss out on the extra income. We just accepted that we're stuck with the cost and to be honest, it's really valuable to have him at nursery during the holidays as it allows me the time to get stuff done that I'd never get done if he was at home!
We live in Notting Hill/Kensington area and of 10 nurseries we visited, 7 are term time only ranging from 32 to 38 weeks a year. They all do funding if needed. To me it seemed that we are having the opposite issue - it’s very hard to find full time nurseries 😅 We are not sure yet which is better for us as we will be going from September 2026 so just about registering now, but might just be forced into term time only as they are overall better nurseries.
Also in the same predicament, I have found that children centres are willing to take on children term time and are more accommodating with children attending part time. If you search your borough name followed by children centre into Google it should bring up a gov.uk page with hopefully a few options.
It's all nursery dependent because they need to keep their bills paid as well as their staff, etc. One of my colleagues uses a childminder, but they need to provide all meals, nappies, etc. So the costs are pretty similar to the nursery. Luckily, the one I use (the company is Complete Childcare) offers term time contracts, and the 15/30 hours is only during these term times. Outside of term time, you are paying the full amount if you have the full year contract... Once we hit the 30-hour mark in September, we are expecting to pay one day out of pocket per week because they do the hour entitlement based on the number of days you do. My daughter goes in 4 days a week, so it is only funded for 24 hours per week.. we use the tax free childcare to help pay the rest.
@Emma Thanks Emma, it's good to know they do exist out there and that you were able to find one. Have a great half term with your little one!
@Roma Hi Roma. Thanks for the info. I gave it a Google and they do seem to be a group of nurseries with one near me so I've phoned but waiting on the manager to contact me. I will message privately though as I would love to hear how you're getting on with it all!
@Heather Thanks Heather. Unfortunately this company does not stretch into London but good to know term time nurseries exist out there!
@Tolu This will be the next thing to research but ideally we'd prefer a nursery as there are more children to socialise with and food etc. is covered. Also prefer to have a nursery as there's other staff and not one to one with a child which has benefits I know but also working with children risks are known too
@Sophie I completely understand why nurseries are doing this and especially with the funded hours coming in I know they need to make a profit. If we need to consider full time then we will but it just seems like money that could be spent elsewhere. Glad it's working for you and you can get bits done while bubs is at nursery and hopefully some time for yourself too. Enjoy!
We're in Kent and have enrolled baby into a term time only nursery. They are open during most school holidays too (not Christmas or a couple weeks of summer) but they run that as a holiday club at non-funded rates. Unfortunately it's a small local one not a chain so no help to you. Busy bees and Old Station (used to be Townsend) Montessori I believe offer term time, there's quite a few about so they are possibly a chain with sites near you.
@Alex This is so strange! I've experienced the exact opposite. Maybe it's because of the new funded hours as I have had a nursery say they do term time but not with the funded hours as they want to stretch these! You're definitely ahead of the game looking for September 2026 and glad you found some that you like even if they are term time! Unfortunately, you're not in the same area as me but if you do have a list of the nurseries please do message me them privately and I'll see if they are stand alone or have other nurseries near me. Thanks and enjoy half term
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That's fair! Our childminder is Ofsted registered. She has an additional member of staff and food is included in the cost. We divide our term time payments evenly across the year and still get all our government funded hours. My daughter loves all the children so it works for us. I say all that to say if nursery doesn't work out, childminders can still give you what you're looking for if you can find the right one 😊
@Kara Hi Kara. Thanks for this tip! I will have a research using children centre and see what comes up. Happy half term!
@Leodina Hi Leodina. I completely understand nurseries reasoning behind it. Just a bit frustrating when it's money that could be used elsewhere. I will have a search for the Complete Childcare company to see whether they have any nurseries local to me. Thanks for the recommendation! I didn't realise that the 30 hours are dependent on the number of hours attended by child a week. I thought if little one goes three full days then these would be mostly, if not fully, covered by the 30 hours. Is this not the case? It's quite a hard system to navigate as obviously you can't apply until you're in the position that you're ready to use the hours. Hope you're enjoying half term with little one!
@Tolu Thanks for sharing your experience. This is great to hear and sounds like a similar set up to a nursery in a way. Definitely something I'll be looking into. As with nurseries and childminders it's all about finding the right one so fingers crossed and glad you have!
@Carys Hi Carys. Glad you've found a great nursery for you and little one! I think often the independent nurseries are more flexible but also understand the rent prices in London must make it tricky to close in the holidays/offer term time only. I went to a local Busy Bees today and they are definitely year round only (despite what their website may say) but I'll have a look into Old Station. Have a great half term!
Our nursery does it based on the hours because the money they get from the government barely covers anything. Honestly, the difference between having the 15 hours and not has been a lifeline.. my daughter started at 7 months, and we were basically paying the equivalent of a monthly salary for a TLA as our childcare payment. The tax-free childcare does help. So I would definitely recommend you apply for this alongside the 15 / 30 hours.. you only get £500 every 3 months, but it really does help. If you can secure a place early on, go for it. A lot of places now have waiting lists due to the funded hours now. You can have your start date for when the funded hours kick in. For my daughter, we had her place sorted out when I was 5 months pregnant. For my second, we did the same despite them not starting till January 2026.
My children attend a term time only nursery in Birmingham. It fully closes in the holidays. The vast majority of the parents are teachers.
Yes we’re doing term time only at a nursery, it’s good as funding is only “term time” so works out relatively cheap for us x
where in west London are you? our nursery is term time only. dm me to give you more details!
I’ve got one that does term time only. They’re currently closed for half term. Unfortunately, I’m in the East Midlands x