Little Gems Pre-school
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Neston 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 December 2023. Open since 2004, with 24 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
CH64 9RWWhat 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, 4 December 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Staff eagerly invite children into the warm and welcoming pre-school. Children arrive happy, confident and emotionally secure. They thrive from the routine that staff have created. Staff guide children to independently hang up their coats, find their name card and sit on the mat. Children wait patiently to hear what is planned for their day.
Staff take an interest in children's views and give them the time to express their feelings and emotions. They are great role models and have a calm and caring nature towards children. Consequently, children play together, respect one another and are happy to help their friends. For instance, older children carry out tasks that younger children need support with, such as writing their name and zipping up their coats. Children work together at tidy-up time and follow instructions that are given to them. This helps children learn positive behaviour. Staff share their ideas and have created a stimulating and inviting learning environment. They provide children with additional resources that help to spark their imagination and extend their ideas. Children demonstrate an eagerness to explore and learn more. This helps them to make good progress.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- review the organisation of adult-led activities and group times to ensure that they suit the different abilities and needs of all the children that are involved n strengthen the good communication with parents so the information shared is more specific to children's individual needs to fully support their next steps and learning at home.
- 4 December 2023Good
- 13 March 2018Outstanding
- 24 April 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Little Gems 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.