Headstart Nursery and Pre-School
Good★ 4.0 on GoogleBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Chester 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 January 2023. Open since 2002, with 102 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 Cheshire West and Chester
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Cheshire West and Chester 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
CH2 1HXWhat 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.
- 10 August 2026 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
- 30 August 2024 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
Ofsted inspector, 26 January 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children enjoy a carefully planned, exciting curriculum. They are happy and make very good progress in their learning. Their key person knows exactly what they like to play with, their developing interests and their next steps in learning. This ensures children's learning experiences are tailored very well. Favourite books and stories, used effectively, help children to engage deeper in activities. For example, children delight when they see an activity set up themed around a favourite story
'The Tiger Who Came To Tea'. They actively take part in exploring how tea bags change the colour of water. Staff encourage children to use all of their senses and describe what they notice and smell. They hear new vocabulary frequently which helps them to become confident talkers. Toddlers eagerly participate in role play shops. They practise their early talking and turn taking skills within their play.
Staff are exceptionally patient with children. They enable them to complete tasks for themselves wherever possible. This helps children to develop high levels of selfesteem and well-being. Staff frequently role model appropriate behaviour. They recognise children's achievements through stickers and certificates. Staff take the time to calmly explain to children how to manage their emotions. Children's behaviour, as a result, is very good.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- strengthen partnership working with other settings children attend, to ensure continuity of care and support is provided consistently n provide more consistent opportunities for babies to develop their communication and understanding skills.
- 26 January 2023Good
- 2 June 2017Good
- 10 April 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Headstart Nursery and 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.