Smallworld
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Northwich 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 September 2023. Open since 2002, with 32 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
CW8 2NDWhat 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, 8 September 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are extremely happy and settled at this setting. They benefit from a wide range of exciting and stimulating activities that the staff provide. For example, babies put on soft, fluffy waistcoats and give out bags of wool to their friends as they join in with nursery rhymes. Toddlers pick beans from their outdoor area and use them while making recipes in the mud kitchen. Older children are enthralled as they solve clues to discover their new pet goldfish. These interesting activities motivate children to learn. Children gain a thirst for learning from a young age.
Children behave very well and play harmoniously together. Staff have high expectations of all children. They teach children to share resources and to use good manners. Children show good listening and attention skills. They listen attentively to staff's instructions and follow them well.
Children benefit from various visitors to the setting. For example, the dental nurse helps to teach children how to brush their teeth correctly. The community police officer visits children to teach them how to cross roads using zebra crossings.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- help children gain an understanding of how to safely use the internet and digital technology.
- 8 September 2023Good
- 30 January 2018Good
- 2 December 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Smallworld
- 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.