Little Harvards
Good★ 4.9 on GoogleBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in St Helens 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 July 2023. Open since 2015, with 54 places.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
WA9 2JEWhat 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, 25 July 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children enjoy many interesting learning opportunities at this calm, inclusive nursery. Babies smile as they explore the sound that metal objects make as they bang them together. Older children use their imagination as they mix mud and water together and offer staff a drink of 'tea'. Children scream with excitement as they play the game 'What time is it, the manager?'. All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those in receipt of additional funding, make good progress from their starting points.
Staff provide a calm environment and have clear expectations for children's behaviour. Older children work together to carry heavy planks of wood to make ramps for their toy cars. When the cars get stuck, children solve the problem together. Children show great pride as they admire their finished ramp and proudly exclaim, 'We did it!' Children are cooperative in their play and show high levels of concentration and engagement.
Children demonstrate that they feel happy and safe. They have formed close bonds with the staff, who are attentive to their needs. Babies beam as they see their key person enter the room. They enjoy lots of cuddles and reassurance from the nurturing staff. Older children confidently approach visitors and talk about their friends. Children have developed caring relationships with staff and each other.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- support staff to embrace learning opportunities as they occur to help children to make even better progress.
- 25 July 2023Good
- 26 February 2019Outstanding
- 22 January 2016Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Little Harvards
- 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.