Welford Pre-School
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Northampton for children from birth to 8+, open 07:45 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 June 2023. Open since 2007, 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 West Northamptonshire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in West Northamptonshire 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
NN6 6HUWhat 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, 14 June 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children confidently say goodbye to their parents and/or carers when they arrive at the pre-school. Staff greet children warmly and encourage them to put their lunch boxes and drink bottles away. Children benefit from a curriculum that builds on what they already know and can do. For example, staff share the story of 'The
Gruffalo' with children. Later, children become highly engaged in a 'Gruffalo' hunt outside with their friends and recall parts of the story.
Staff support children to develop a healthy lifestyle. At snack time, children try different healthy foods. Children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills in the outside area. They race around on bikes, negotiating space successfully. Children tell visitors to the setting that they have learned how to pedal a bike, after being confident in the use of a balance bike. Staff also support children to take and manage appropriate risks. Children excitedly problem-solve how to travel between two tyres by using a log. They hold their arms out to help them balance as they try and cross.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- allow children more time to respond to questions before moving on n consider the organisation of transition times so that all children know what to do.
- 14 June 2023Good
- 17 June 2022Needs improvement
- 5 May 2015Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Welford Pre-School
- 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.