Darfield Family Centre Nursery
OutstandingBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Barnsley for children from birth to 8+, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in September 2025. Open since 2010, with 30 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
S73 9EUWhat 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, 26 September 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children progress exceptionally well at this setting. They settle in very quickly and are comfortable and happy. Children thrive within the secure attachments of their key workers. They respond well to others, suggesting play ideas while exploring raspberries in play dough. Children are comfortable and communicate when they have toileting accidents, need drinks or wish to wash their hands after finger painting. They receive high levels of care. Children beam with confidence as they explore the setting freely, displaying a strong sense of positive emotional wellbeing.
Children are kind and friendly. They play cooperatively with one another. They mirror the inclusive behaviour, celebrating the inviting culture of the setting. They are receptive to staff and share stories with their friends. Children act out familiar stories while reciting words and phrases they have learned. They respect their environment and play with awe and wonder. Children show that they have a love for books and singing. Their environment is rich in language opportunities.
Teaching skills support children's growing abilities to communicate effectively.
- 26 September 2025Outstanding Safeguarding: Yes
- 4 October 2019Outstanding
- 20 January 2015Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Darfield Family Centre Nursery
- 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.