Crick Pre-School
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Northampton for children from birth to 8+, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in September 2021, though that is 5 years ago now. Open since 2014.
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 West Northamptonshire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in West Northamptonshire 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
NN6 7TUWhat 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, 22 September 2021 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children settle quickly at pre-school. They are happy to see their friends and invite them to sit by their side when they arrive. With help from staff, children learn how to build positive friendships where they cooperate with others effectively. For example, during a game outside, staff suggest how children can work together to find items to work as builders and make a 'patio'.
Children enjoy art activities. They look closely at sunflowers and listen to staff as they talk to them about the different colours in the sunflowers, and the paint they can use. Children concentrate as they create their picture after thinking about what colours to use. Children are eager to learn and they show confidence to take part in the activities. They are excited to make music using a range of shakers, maracas and drums. Children show their friends how to use their hands and beaters to play the drums, and how to shake the maracas to make sounds.
Children feel secure and benefit from the positive relationships staff have with their parents. Daily communication takes place between parents and staff about their child's care needs and the activities they have done at pre-school and at home.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- improve the organisation of large group activities to ensure that they are meaningful for all children taking part.
- 22 September 2021Good
- 8 January 2020Needs improvement
- 9 March 2016Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Crick Pre-School
- 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.