Opening hours
Term Time: 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM (After School Club); Holiday Club: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Head Start Day Nursery, located in Smallthorne, Stoke-on-Trent, is dedicated to providing children with a strong foundation for life. The nursery prides itself on a welcoming environment and a commitment to nurturing each child's development.
They offer engaging activities for children aged 3 to 11 years, including baking, arts and crafts, group games, and both indoor and outdoor physical activities. The nursery also focuses on developing self-help skills and offers various educational outings.
All staff members are highly qualified, with many holding Level 3 qualifications or above, and are trained in paediatric first aid and safeguarding. They also maintain a 5-star food hygiene rating, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all children.
The nursery operates an after-school and holiday club called Head Start Care Club, located at Smallthorne Academy Primary School, offering flexible care options for families. Parent partnership is highly valued, and the nursery encourages open communication and visits to ensure transparency and a strong home-nursery connection.
What it's like
Children thoroughly enjoy their time at this nursery and have warm and trusting relationships with supportive and caring staff. Staff are nurturing towards babies, helping them to form strong attachments and confidently explore their new environment. Pre-school children demonstrate positive relationships and are developing important skills for school readiness.
Fees are split into term-time and holiday care. Term-time care is charged daily for after-school sessions, with a shorter one-hour club option available. Holiday care is billed as a full day rate.
Funding accepted
Good to know
Opening hours
Term Time: 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM (After School Club); Holiday Club: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Age range
3 to 11 years (After School & Holiday Club)
Food
Breakfast and snacks provided; packed lunch required for holiday club
Term time / All Year
All Year
Waitlist
Unknown
Last inspected 7 October 2022
What it's like to attend
Children thoroughly enjoy their time at this nursery and have warm and trusting relationships with supportive and caring staff. Staff are nurturing towards babies, helping them to form strong attachments and confidently explore their new environment. Pre-school children demonstrate positive relationships and are developing important skills for school readiness.
Inspector highlights
Areas to develop
Inclusion & environment
The manager and her team provide exceptional support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Regular meetings with parents and external professionals result in highly specific support plans, ensuring children with SEND have full access to the curriculum and learn to use pictures to communicate their wants and needs. As a result, they are making excellent progress.
A woodland-inspired area gives children opportunities to practise their physical skills as they ride on bicycles and run freely. They learn to take risks as they explore the outdoor area and have opportunities to grow their own vegetables. This supports children's understanding of the natural world.
From the age of 1 our little boy started this nursery until today, his last day at the age of 3, ready to start school... to see him learn and grow and come on leaps and bounds has been magical to watch.. All the girls that work at the setting have been amazing throughout and they work tirelessly with all the children.... the children always have happy little faces then arriving or leaving.. We have never had any issues with our son wanting to attend and he always looked forward to returning. I'm going miss you all and want to thank you all for everything you have done in teaching and learning our boy! Your all amazing girls... HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Read on GoogleI believe this is the best nursery by far, and can’t praise it enough! The staff are amazing with all the children and parents and no task is too difficult! They have worked with me on achieving tasks at home. My daughter goes full time and absolutely loves it! She has thrived since attending since she was 9months old, and we will both greatly miss the staff and support when she moves on to big girls school in September. Thank you to the whole team for all your continued support!
Read on GoogleBoth my girls attended the nursery and they loved every moment they got to spend there. The staff go above and beyond for each and every child. My girls absolute love each member of staff and even though they are now to old for the nursery they still get to see them all through the care club that the nursery runs. I would highly recommend this nursery to everyone. Keep being amazing ladies. Xxx
Read on GoogleHead start nursery is such a fantastic nursery, my daughter started at head start at the age of 9 months and for me personally it was hard but the team were so supportive and Kirsty and Katie were the main carers for the baby section and they were amazing and my daughter really took to them. When it was time for my daughter to progress into the toddler early learners class, again I had my concerns as my daughter would have new carers (even though they all chip in together and my daughter knew other staff members) but Tasha (deputy manager) and Amanda who became my daughters new carers and my daughters speech and early education advanced so quickly and it’s amazing to see the relationship my daughter has with them as they go the extra mile for my daughter and all the children at head start, the other staff members Levi, Jess and Samantha are just as great! And a special mention to the head start manager Sharon, she is very organised and the nursery is extremely safe and great for all children attending at head start. Highly recommend!
Read on GoogleA nursery that has been nothing less than being the most amazing start for our daughter to thrive and gain the confidence she has today. I honestly believe our daughter wouldn’t be the confident little soul she is today without the interventions and learning both educational and practical that she has gained from Head Start. In every part of her journey with the nursery from 9 months old to preschool stage at nearly 2.5 years old the staff have been fiercely dedicated to providing not only us, but my niece, and every child we see or know a truly unmatched nursery experience. I cannot recommend Head Start Day nursery enough and have told many about it because there is nothing like the feeling of knowing whilst you are at work that your child is in the care of a dedicated team who individually and collectively take great care, consideration, and prioritise yours and every child individually. I will be so sad to see our daughter move onto ‘big school’ but I know the transition will be absolutely perfect because the reassurance and knowledge of the staff gives us the confidence to trust every process. Staff you are AMAZING a Thankyou will never be enough!
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Head Start Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Most recent inspection
7 October 2022
Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.
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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