Chatterbox Children's Academy
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Barnsley for children from birth to 8+, open 07:30 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in June 2025. Open since 2018, with 62 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Barnsley
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Barnsley from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
S70 5TUWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 2 June 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children arrive at this welcoming and nurturing setting with enthusiasm. They are warmly greeted by familiar, caring staff, who know them well. This strong sense of belonging helps children settle quickly and feel emotionally secure. Babies snuggle into familiar adults and confidently explore sensory-rich environments. Toddlers and pre-school children are eager to join activities and play with their friends. As a result, they make positive strides in their development and are well prepared for the next stage of their education.
Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour. Children are kind and play cooperatively with their friends. For example, during outdoor play, children take turns riding bikes and share tools in the mud kitchen. Staff model respectful behaviour and use gentle reminders to help children look after toys. As a result, children show high levels of engagement, take pride in their learning, and develop confidence in their physical and social skills.
Staff plan activities that build on what children already know and can do. They consistently model new words and encourage children's communication. Routines are designed to promote children's independence. For example, children confidently put on their coat, serve their own snack, and help to tidy up. This helps children make good progress across all areas of their learning and development.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- develop further the good quality of teaching to ensure all children consistently receive individualised support and challenge.
- 2 June 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 11 December 2019Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Chatterbox Children's Academy
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.