Preston Brook Preschool
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A pre-school in Runcorn for children from birth to 8+, open sessions in term time, often mornings. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in April 2025. Open since 1998, 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 Halton
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Halton 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
WA7 3AWWhat 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, 2 April 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Leaders create a warm, nurturing and inclusive setting in which all children can thrive. Leaders and staff take the time to get to know the children and their families. This enables them to create bespoke plans that help children to grow and develop. In addition, this helps children to feel safe and secure. For example, children happily go to staff for reassurance when there are new people in the room. Staff provide a wide range of activities to encompass significant events, such as Easter, Diwali, World Kindness Day and Remembrance Sunday. This enables children to learn about their community, tolerance and the cultures and beliefs of others.
Leaders and staff are positive role models. They help children to understand the setting's rules and explain why they are in place. As a result, children develop an awareness of their own safety. For example, they remind staff that they cannot use one of the wheeled resources, as it is broken. They work with staff so that it is placed in a safe place.
Staff have aspirations for children and want them to succeed. They know when to step in to provide additional support. For example, staff provide guidance on how to use the pot stilts. Children persevere at tasks and beam in delight when they succeed. This gives them confidence in their own abilities. Children are encouraged to be independent. They hang their coats up, help to tidy up and enjoy carrying out small jobs. These simple tasks help all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), develop the skills and knowledge that they need to build a strong foundation for future learning.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- strengthen staff's understanding of how children acquire language so that they make best use of the learning opportunities provided.
- 2 April 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 28 January 2020Good
- 1 February 2016Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Preston Brook Preschool
- 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.