Playtots
Good★ 4.3 on GoogleBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Liverpool for children from birth to 8+, open 08:00 to 17:30, 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 2016, with 112 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 Knowsley
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Knowsley 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
L36 2LLWhat 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, 9 January 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children settle quickly when they start at this warm and welcoming nursery. They are supported by staff who consider their emotional well-being from the outset. As a result, babies and children quickly develop secure relationships with the responsive staff. They are happy and feel safe and secure. Leaders and staff have high expectations for children. Through adult modelling and support, all children learn to take turns, share and be respectful of one another. Staff understand that these are all important skills that children need to succeed in later life.
Children access a rich and varied curriculum. This is enhanced by staff who follow babies' and children's lead within their play. For example, older children busy themselves in making lunch in the home corner. Staff support them to think about what meal to cook and drinks to make. Children's imaginative play and communication skills are well supported.
The environment and routines are carefully planned to support children in developing their independence. For example, older children learn to carefully carry their lunch plate with 'two hands'. They skilfully scrape their waste into the bin, then roll up their sleeves to wash their plates. Children receive lots of praise and encouragement. This is building their confidence as they prepare for starting school.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- incorporate further mathematics and literacy opportunities to offer challenge and extend learning n support staff confidence and understanding of delivering learning intent.
- 9 January 2023Good
- 21 August 2018Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Playtots
- 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.