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Essential Early Years

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Nov 2022)
·
5.0(14 parent reviews) ·67-69 Grange Road West, Birkenhead, CH41 4BZ · Wirral
Number of places
27 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Nov 2022
Local authority
Wirral

About this day nursery

Essential Early Years is a private day nursery and pre-school located in Birkenhead, dedicated to providing exceptional care and education for children aged 0-5, particularly those with special needs. The environment is thoughtfully designed and includes unique spaces like an imaginarium, a movement room, three base rooms, and a secure outdoor area for exploration.

The nursery is passionate about fostering a love for learning through play in an inspiring and inclusive environment. They focus on making learning fun, nurturing each child's individual personality, and celebrating uniqueness.

With a commitment to safety and happiness, the nursery maintains smaller class sizes and higher staff ratios, ensuring personalised care and a strong sense of belonging for each child. They follow the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, adapting their practices to support the individual development of every child.

Our ethos

The nursery is passionate about fostering a love for learning through play in an inspiring and inclusive environment, nurturing each child's individual personality and celebrating uniqueness. They follow the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, adapting their practices to support the individual development of every child.

What it's like

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) flourish in this heart-warming nursery, developing independence and a positive sense of self and others. Staff create an exceptional environment with an ambitious curriculum and precise learning experiences tailored to each child's individual needs and learning styles, enabling all children to achieve their best.

Special Educational Needs (SEN) focusUnique learning environmentsHigh staff ratiosOfsted Outstanding

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare
  • Full Week£310.00 / week
  • Full Day£65.00 / day
  • Half Day£40.00 / session

Key facts

Opening hours

8am to 6pm, Monday – Friday for 51 weeks of the year. Closed for one week at Christmas, in addition to Bank Holidays.

Age range

0-5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Essential Early Years

Last inspected 3 November 2022

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 with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) flourish in this heart-warming nursery, developing independence and a positive sense of self and others. Staff create an exceptional environment with an ambitious curriculum and precise learning experiences tailored to each child's individual needs and learning styles, enabling all children to achieve their best.

Inspector highlights

  • The management team is highly qualified and skilled at meeting the needs of children with SEND and works in partnership with external professionals.
  • Staff provide plenty of opportunities for children to develop their small-muscle skills, such as sensory baking and a daily 'dough disco'.
  • Staff model clear pronunciation and use tools like Makaton signing and the Picture Exchange Communication System to support communication.
  • Partnership with parents is exceptional, with parents expressing high satisfaction with the support received.
  • The leadership and management are excellent, passionate about providing the best possible care and experiences for children with SEND.
Inspection #10250918 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

"the nursery has saved their lives"

"already achieving above and beyond parental expectations"

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

All children flourish, becoming familiar with routines in this heart-warming nursery for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Leaders are passionate about providing the best possible care and experiences for children with SEND. They reflect continuously, developing strategies enabling children with SEND to thrive.

Outdoor space

The report does not provide specific details about how children use outdoor space or engage in physical play outdoors.

Parent Reviews of Essential Early Years

5.0
(14)
Poppi-lea Otoole
a year ago

There are no words to even come close to explaining how much these girls & this nursery mean to me and my 2 girls !! I’ve had 2 children attend here who have since left the last one being this term 2024 and I can honestly say they wouldn’t be anywhere near where they are today without Essential’s from non verbal to now singing nursery rhymes by themselves and the eldest now thriving in her primary school I have nothing but praise and appreciation for each and everyone of these girls and I’ll always be thankful for there part played in my girls future because without the constant support off Essentials Early Years i honestly would not of coped myself these last 4 years !! You’s really are amazing 👏🏽👏🏽

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Zoe Newton
a year ago

By far the best nursery around! Can't fault them in anyway at all! Brilliant staff, everyone genuinely cares about the children in their care. When my daughter started 10 months ago she was non verbal and stuff to me and her dad, this is the only place where she is happy to leave us, she has come on leaps and bounds and even started saying a few words. Everytime we park up outside the nursery she has a smile on her face and runs in so happy. At home one of us can't even go to the shop without a meltdown! If you have a special needs child i would 110% recommend this little sanctuary, it's everything you've been looking for and more ❤️

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Jade
a year ago

Best setting in wirral for SEND children. Staff go above and beyond for each and every family. Couldn't recommend these enough, amazing nursery ran by the most lovely genuine people! My son came on so much in his time with essentials and we will be forever grateful to all staff here 💕

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annalisa zeo
a year ago

My child has started going to Essential at the beginning of September and he already is coming out of his shell, the staff is absolutely amazing, they care so much and my baby loves them all, I couldn’t ask for a better place where to send my little ones. Thank you so much for all of your hard work

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Jade
4 years ago

Started my kids at this nursery and I only have positive things to say about everyone working at essentials. They are kind and caring. They always have a planned day of activities , we feel very comfortable leaving our children here and wish we could have had our children here sooner.

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Reviews from Google for Essential Early Years. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

3 November 2022

Outstanding

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

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