Thingwall Buddies
GoodBirth to 8+Open a few years
A day nursery in Wirral 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 2024. Open since 2022, with 50 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 Wirral
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Wirral 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
CH61 7UGWhat 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, 19 September 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
The setting provides a warm, welcoming and nurturing environment in which children make good progress in all aspects of their learning. Children happily rush into the setting. They eagerly greet staff and friends and are soon absorbed in their play and learning. Staff take the time to get to know the children, which helps them to settle. They gather information from parents about the children's interests and have activities set up for when new children arrive. This successfully smooths their transition into the setting. Children like to spend time with their friends. They enjoy collaborating with one another. For example, children work together to move and reposition logs to support their activities in the forest area.
Children behave well. They are kind to their friends and learn to take turns and share their resources. Children have a strong voice and make their wishes and feelings known. For example, children are confident to ask staff for help or to refuse offers of support, as they call out 'I can do it!' This exuberance and confidence provides a firm foundation for future learning. The setting provides an inclusive environment where each child's uniqueness is acknowledged and celebrated. For example, children learn about each other's cultures and beliefs as they celebrate special events throughout the year.
Staff place great emphasis in helping children to be independent. For example, children learn to see to their own toileting needs, and to put on their coats and shoes. They capably serve themselves at mealtimes and pour their own drinks.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- help staff to pitch activities at just the right level, so that all children get the most from the intended learning n support staff to consistently model the correct pronunciation of words to further extend children's vocabulary and speaking.
- 19 September 2024Good
Still missing for Thingwall Buddies
- 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.