Playdays Nursery
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Barnsley 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 August 2025. Open since 2024, with 61 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
S71 2JSWhat 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, 6 August 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Leaders greet families so that parents and carers can share information each day about their children. As a result, staff know children well. Children enjoy a close relationship with staff. Staff sit a low level to be available for children. Some children snuggle on staff's laps as they arrive and settle. Children enjoy a homecooked meal each day. Staff are good role models. They sit with children so that mealtimes are unhurried sociable experiences. Children make choices and develop their independence. For example, they serve vegetables, use cutlery and pour drinks. Mealtimes are relaxed learning experiences where children enjoy opportunities to interact. Children develop close friendships, are confident and communicate well. Staff encourage children to play together, negotiate and take turns in real conversations. For example, children talk about where milk comes from and remember which shops and cafes they know.
Leaders have developed a curriculum that focuses on diversity, independence and caring for others. The curriculum is embedded throughout the setting. It is sequenced and adapted so that all children extend their learning. Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is excellent. Staff tailor activities and experiences so that all children are involved and included.
Children enjoy core books as they develop a love of literacy, numeracy and language. Staff use a story sack of resources as they read to toddlers about a bear hunt. Children learn to wait and to take turns as staff invite them to explore textures. Staff ask questions and encourage children to speculate about what might happen next. As a result, children are engaged as they develop their understanding.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- support children's engagement in adult-led sessions further, such as by slowing the pace so that children can identify and copy sounds and engage with their learning n review the organisation of activities so that all children have opportunities to take part and be involved.
- 6 August 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
Still missing for Playdays 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.