Highfield Grange Pre-School
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Marus Bridge for children from birth to 5, open 08:30 to 18:15, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in February 2023. Open since 2006, with 32 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 Wigan
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Wigan 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
WN3 6GHWhat 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, 3 February 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children thrive at this pre-school, well supported by an exceptionally caring and committed team. Children are relaxed, confident and articulate. They chat happily with the staff and each other and are keen to show and tell the inspector what they are doing.
Outside, staff and children notice that a bird's nest in a nearby tree has blown away. The children discuss what might have happened to it and then decide to make a new nest. They work cooperatively to collect twigs and leaves and carefully weave together a nest on the floor. They then choose to write a notice saying
'Come to the nest', which they eagerly show to the inspector. This shows that the children are confident to lead their own play and are proud of their achievements.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- develop the confidence and skills of the leadership team to support all staff to consistently implement the intended curriculum.
- 3 February 2023Good
- 11 May 2017Good
- 24 April 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Highfield Grange 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.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.