Session types
Morning, Afternoon, Full Day, Full Time Mon-Fri, Holiday Club
Beacon Nursery
Ofsted: Good
(Aug 2022)
Number of places
64 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Aug 2022
Local authority
St Helens
About this day nursery
Beacon Nursery, situated in the heart of St Helens, offers a bright, spacious, and caring environment for children aged 0-5. The nursery is committed to providing high-quality childcare and early years education, deeply rooted in the values and ethos of YMCA St Helens, aiming to support families in leading fulfilling lives.
With a 'Good' rating from Ofsted (October 2016), the nursery prides itself on its experienced and passionate staff, who are all DBS checked and fully trained to a minimum of Level 3, with some holding Level 5 and the manager possessing a Bachelor's Degree and Level 4 Montessori Early Years Professional status. The curriculum focuses on learning through play, encouraging exploration, self-worth, and the development of social and communication skills through various activities like non-stereotypical, world discovery, expressive, and messy play.
The nursery is divided into three age-specific rooms—Ladybirds for babies (3 months - 2 years), Caterpillars for toddlers (2-3 years), and Butterflies for preschool children (3-5 years)—each designed to facilitate differentiated learning and smooth transitions. A key worker system ensures personalised care and communication with parents, and comprehensive admission procedures are in place to ensure children with medical or specific needs are well-supported.
Our ethos
Beacon Nursery's approach is rooted in the values and ethos of YMCA St Helens, aiming to support families in leading fulfilling lives. Learning is child-led through play, encouraging exploration, self-worth, and the development of social and communication skills. Key worker systems ensure personalised care and communication with parents.
What it's like
Children are happy in this bright, spacious and well-organised nursery where staff greet them and their parents warmly and form strong, friendly relationships. Children are eager to join activities, mix happily with friends and practise physical skills, such as balancing on apparatus, developing confidence in their physical ability. Children's behaviour is good because of strong relationships with staff who are sensitive to their emotions and help them resolve conflicts.
Bright, Spacious EnvironmentQualified, Passionate StaffFunded Places AvailableHealthy, Nutritious MealsLarge Outdoor Play AreaFlexible RoutinesLearning Through Play
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
Tax-Free Childcare15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
- Morning Session (0-2 Years)£31.00 / session
- Morning Session (3-5 Years)£29.00 / session
- Afternoon Session (0-2 Years)£30.00 / session
- Afternoon Session (3-5 Years)£28.00 / session
- Full Day (0-2 Years)£51.00 / day
Key facts
Opening hours
Mon - Fri : 07.30 - 17.45
Age range
0-5 years
Term time / All Year
All Year
Food
Healthy, Nutritious Meals
Established
2007
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Beacon Nursery
Last inspected 26 August 2022 · Neil Butler
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
Children are happy in this bright, spacious and well-organised nursery where staff greet them and their parents warmly and form strong, friendly relationships. Children are eager to join activities, mix happily with friends and practise physical skills, such as balancing on apparatus, developing confidence in their physical ability. Children's behaviour is good because of strong relationships with staff who are sensitive to their emotions and help them resolve conflicts.
Inspector highlights
- Bright, spacious and well-organised nursery environment
- Strong, friendly relationships with parents and effective communication (including a digital app)
- Staff and managers have effective systems to identify and support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and work well with other agencies
- Inclusive focus supporting children from a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds
- Managers provide clear improvement priorities and support staff professional development through appraisals and supervision
Areas to develop
- 1support staff to sharply focus and organise activities to provide children with the highest level of learning opportunities and outcomes
- 2enhance opportunities for children to learn the importance of health and hygiene routines in place at the nursery.
Inspection #10235151 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Staff and managers have effective systems for identifying the support needed by children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and are able to devise and implement targeted education programmes to help these children make good progress. They work well with other agencies, such as social services or speech therapists, so families feel fully supported and engaged in their children's learning.
Outdoor space
The inspector observed children playing and learning outdoors.
EAL / language support
The nursery supports children who speak English as an additional language; songs and rhymes are sung in different languages and different festivals are celebrated.
Parent Reviews of Beacon Nursery
4.0
(6)
Christian Herald
6 months ago
Very good nursery. Looking well after my toddlers. Friendly staff. Good fees. Good timetable, essential for my working patterns. Highly recommend Beacon Nursery.
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Chelsea Wilkinson
2 years ago
I don’t even know where to start the women in this nursery are the kindest people I’ve ever met in my whole life! They’ve helped me through my hardest times!! My son Coby-James didn’t speak didn’t really get along with other kids he was a picky eater now he talks/plays/ eats anything you give him this place needs more than 5* rating I’m so glad I found these people that are now part of our life and I’m so so grateful thank you all so much!!!!!!! Your the best
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Everyday is a good day
8 years ago
Fantastic Nursery!! My son started from 6 months old. He was a very particular little boy who was selective with who he went to, making me so nervous about going back to work after maternity. Having little family, the nursery have been a back bone to our family. Carter loves nursery, walks in, sits himself down to breakfast and happily waves us goodbye. I couldn't be happier with Carters progress, he's key worker Lauren is always on hand to keep us updated. Dad called everyday for the first 9 months (he probably still does), but never did they discourage this. They have lots of focused activities. They have taught Carter so much over the last 11months, he now learns me some moves to the nursery rhymes and songs. He is well behaved, goes to bed easily, eats his food nicely and I know this stems from having the consistency that the nursery provides in his daily activities. The nursery is always warm and clean. The equipment always looks brand new! Carpets are spot less! (other nurseries I viewed where terrible). They provide a balaced diet, offering a wide and varied selection of food. When we have needed to add an emergency day, they have always made room. If you are looking for a nursery that cares for your child like they would their own, then this is the nursery that you should consider. I would highly recommend the nursery to all. Thank you to all the staff for looking after our little boy, we will be forever grateful.
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elaine hoban
6 years ago
Amazing nursery with friendly reliable staff who treat your children with the up most care and respect . So glad I chose this nursery for my little girl i know shes in reliable hands
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Happy All the time
11 months ago
Waste OF time don't respond to emails and via phone calls they don't even know there own funded hours. Will be going elsewhere.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Beacon Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: March 2012
- August 2022Good
- October 2016Good
- August 2013Good
- March 2012Good
Frequently asked about Beacon Nursery
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