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Editorial guides on School Atlas are drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by Stephen Spence (founder) before publication. Location pages — like “best primary schools in X” — are generated from our verified dataset of official inspection and admissions data.

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HomeGuidesBest Nurseries in Derry City and Strabane (2026)

Page updated 2 Oct 2026

Generated from our verified dataset of official inspection and admissions data · Reviewed April 2026 · How we write

Best Nurseries in Derry City and Strabane

The 20 highest-rated nurseries and early-years settings in Derry City and Strabane, ranked by their most recent ETI inspection. Use our interactive map to find settings near you.

Derry City and Strabane has 33 nurseries and early-years settings, caring for children from birth to school start.

How this list is ranked

ETI inspection result first, best first. Settings without a published result are listed after those with one, and ties are listed alphabetically — most settings do not publish a roll to break them by size. Childminders and after-school clubs are not included.

Sources: ETI inspection reports · last refreshed monthly from official sources.

Not used in this ranking: Fees, opening hours, funded places, waiting lists, parent reviews.

“Best” is a shorthand. The right school for your child depends on their needs, the commute, admissions priority, and many other factors this list cannot capture.

Sort by distance from your home

1

NN

Naíscoil na Daríige

StatePre-SchoolIrish medium (Gaeilge)

ETI: Good

2

AC

Ardstraw Community Playgroup

StatePlaygroup

21 pupils

Find on ETI ↗

3

BN

Belmont Nursery School

StateNursery School

52 pupils

View ETI report ↗

4

BL

Bligh's Lane Nursery School

StateNursery School

53 pupils

View ETI report ↗

5

BH

Brambly Hedge Community Playgroup

StatePlaygroup

13 pupils

Find on ETI ↗

6

Carebears Community Playgroup

StatePlaygroup

16 pupils

Find on ETI ↗

7

CN

Carnhill Nursery School

StateNursery School

53 pupils

View ETI report ↗

8

CR

Chapel Road Community Playgroup

StatePlaygroup

21 pupils

Find on ETI ↗

9

Drumahoe Community Playgroup

StatePlaygroup

23 pupils

Find on ETI ↗

10

EC

Eglinton Community Pre-School Centre

StatePre-School

26 pupils

Find on ETI ↗

11

FS

First Steps Children's Centre

StateNursery School

22 pupils

Find on ETI ↗

12

GN

Galliagh Nursery School

StateNursery School

52 pupils

Find on ETI ↗

13

HF

Happy Faces Playgroup

StatePlaygroup

20 pupils

Find on ETI ↗

14

Jack and Jill Community Playgroup

StatePlaygroup

Find on ETI ↗

15

LN

Lisnagelvin Nursery School

StateNursery School

55 pupils

View ETI report ↗

16

Little Diamonds Community Playgroup

StatePlaygroup

Find on ETI ↗

17

LF

Little Flower Playgroup

StatePlaygroup

16 pupils

Find on ETI ↗

18

MP

Mullabuoy Pre-School

StatePre-School

Find on ETI ↗

19

NC

Naíscoil Cholmcille

StatePre-SchoolIrish medium (Gaeilge)

Find on ETI ↗

20

NN

Naíscoil na Deirge

StatePre-SchoolIrish medium (Gaeilge)

Find on ETI ↗

Nurseries in nearby areas

Mid Ulster
Causeway Coast and Glens
Fermanagh and Omagh
Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon
Mid and East Antrim
Antrim and Newtownabbey

Helpful guides for Derry City and Strabane parents

In-depth reading on the topics that matter when researching a school.

Choosing a nursery
Reception entry & school readiness
Summer-born children: deferring entry

Schools in Derry City and Strabane

More Derry City and Strabane Guides

Top Primaries Top Secondaries Faith Schools Grammar Schools Sixth Form

Browse all 33 schools in this guide

Ardstraw Community Playgroup
Belmont Nursery School
Bligh's Lane Nursery School
Brambly Hedge Community Playgroup
Carebears Community Playgroup
Carnhill Nursery School
Chapel Road Community Playgroup
Drumahoe Community Playgroup
Eglinton Community Pre-School Centre
First Steps Children's Centre
Galliagh Nursery School
Happy Faces Playgroup
Jack and Jill Community Playgroup
Lisnagelvin Nursery School
Little Diamonds Community Playgroup
Little Flower Playgroup
Mullabuoy Pre-School
Naíscoil Cholmcille
Naíscoil na Daríige
Naíscoil na Deirge
Park Community Playgroup
Pennyburn Community Playgroup
Rainbow Child Family Centre
St Bernadette's Playgroup
St Caireall's Cross Community Pre-school, Castlederg
St Joseph's Community Playgroup
St Mary's Pre-School Centre
Straidarran Community Playgroup
Strathfoyle Nursery School
The Academy Nursery School
Tiny Tots Community Playgroup
Trench Road Nursery School
Woodlands pre school centre

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