Nursery Advice
Claim Your Nursery

Bright Sparks Child Care

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Jun 2025)
·
4.7(3 parent reviews)
·Poplar Avenue, Castleford, WF10 3QJ · Wakefield
Number of places
42 places
Age range
2–5 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2025
Local authority
Wakefield

About this day nursery

Bright Sparks Nursery is a well-established independent nursery with nearly two decades of experience in providing childcare. Founded and directed by Laura Gapski, the nursery prioritises a holistic approach to child development within a nurturing, home-like environment.

The team comprises highly qualified and dedicated professionals, including a Teacher and an Early Years Teacher, who ensure the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework is implemented in an engaging manner. They focus on individualised planning and assessment to support each child's progress, preparing them exceptionally well for school.

Situated in a rural setting with easy access from the A611, the nursery offers extensive outdoor exploration opportunities, including views of farmland and a golf course, and direct access to Stonehills Plantation for older children to discover woodland ecosystems. Bright Sparks Nursery holds the Woodland Trust's Gold Award for its commitment to environmental awareness and is part of the Soil Association’s Food for Life scheme.

The nursery also features an in-house chef who prepares healthy and nutritious meals, adhering to high food hygiene standards and utilising nursery-grown produce.

Our ethos

Bright Sparks Nursery is committed to a holistic approach to child development within a nurturing, home-like environment. They implement the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework with a focus on individualised planning and assessment to support each child's progress. The nursery emphasises environmental awareness, holding the Woodland Trust's Gold Award and participating in the Soil Association’s Food for Life scheme, with extensive outdoor exploration opportunities including woodland ecosystems.

What it's like

Children demonstrate exceptionally high levels of emotional well-being and thrive in this vibrant and nurturing nursery. Upon arrival, children are warmly welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm, by caring staff who know them extremely well. As a result, children form strong, trusting relationships with the kind and attentive staff.

Ethical ConscienceGraduate-led WorkforceRural SettingWoodland Trust Gold AwardSoil Association Food for Life

Pricing & funding

Fees are charged per day or session and are payable monthly in advance. No fees are charged during the three weeks of annual nursery closure, but they remain payable during other absences. A deposit is required to reserve a place, which is refundable subject to notice periods and minimum attendance.

Funding accepted

Tax-Free Childcare
  • Daily fee£69.50 / day
  • Session fee£45.00 / session
  • Deposit£185.00 / session

Good to know

  • Fees are payable monthly by standing order, direct debit or BACS on the first of the month.
  • Fees are payable at all times except during the three weeks of annual nursery closure.
  • For illness exceeding one week, fee adjustments are at the Director's discretion.
  • A deposit is required to reserve a place, refundable when the child leaves.
  • Four weeks' written notice is required for deposit refund and when leaving.
  • Deposits are non-refundable if the child leaves within the first six months or does not take up the place.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday from 7.45am till 6.00pm for 49 weeks of the year

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Established

2004

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Bright Sparks Child Care

Last inspected 19 June 2025 · Jennifer Cowton

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding

What it's like to attend

Children demonstrate exceptionally high levels of emotional well-being and thrive in this vibrant and nurturing nursery. Upon arrival, children are warmly welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm, by caring staff who know them extremely well. As a result, children form strong, trusting relationships with the kind and attentive staff.

Inspector highlights

  • Children demonstrate exceptionally high levels of emotional well-being and thrive.
  • Children are highly motivated to learn and are fully immersed in a rich and exciting curriculum.
  • Children with SEND make excellent progress and receive tailored support.
  • Staff place a strong emphasis on supporting children's speech and language development and have received a communication award.
  • Children develop high levels of confidence and independence, with their voices being heard through a pre-school council.
Inspection #10392890 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents speak exceptionally highly of staff and note the excellent progress their children make.

They state that they feel fully involved in their children's learning and feel that communication is excellent.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), thrive in the supportive and nurturing care of the highly skilled staff team. Children with SEND make excellent progress at the nursery. Staff meticulously monitor each child's development and act swiftly when any concerns arise. Leaders and practitioners work closely with local inclusion services and a range of professionals to access specialist support and implement tailored strategies. For example, staff regularly consult with speech and language therapists and embed their guidance across the setting through focused group sessions and individualised support.

Outdoor space

The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning.

Parent Reviews of Bright Sparks Child Care

4.7
(3)
Rachel Waite
8 years ago

Lovely baby unit! staff seem extremely nice and friendly :)

Read on Google
Amanda Dodsworth
8 years ago

Live music bingo great night out x

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Bright Sparks Child Care. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history
Improved from Good → Outstanding in 2025

Date: June 2010

  • June 2025Outstanding
  • October 2019Good
  • February 2015Outstanding
  • June 2010Good

Frequently asked about Bright Sparks Child Care

Nearby day nurseries in Castleford

Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Bright Sparks Child Care.

Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details.

Claim listing

Share this nursery

Send to a partner, friend or family member.

This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more