Food
Nourishing meals cooked from scratch, including breakfast (cereals, toast), dinner (quesadillas, shepherd's pie), snacks (fruit), and tea are provided. Parents can opt-out of meal charges for funded sessions.
Heathside Day Nursery
Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2023)
Number of places
41 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2023
Local authority
Halton
About this day nursery
Heathside Day Nursery in Runcorn prioritises creating an inspiring and nurturing environment where children can reach their full potential. They focus on encouraging individual interests and talents through a meticulously planned schedule of activities designed to spark curiosity and imagination.
The nursery adheres to the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, covering areas like personal, social, emotional development, literacy, mathematics, expressive arts and design, and communication and language. They boast a newly refurbished facility and a large outdoor area for adventure and healthy development.
The staff are highly trained and dedicated to monitoring each child's progress, adapting care and education as needed to ensure children flourish.
Our ethos
Heathside Day Nursery focuses on encouraging individual interests and talents. They adhere to the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and aim to spark curiosity and imagination in a nurturing environment.
What it's like
Leaders have worked with staff and other agencies to make the required improvements in the setting. The new manager has created a sequenced and exciting curriculum for all children. Staff have attended curriculum training and accessed other useful courses, such as supporting children's communication, language and thinking skills, which means children are confident communicators.
Newly refurbished facilitiesLarge outdoor play areaAdheres to Early Years Foundation Stage framework
Pricing & funding
The nursery charges flat daily, weekly, and hourly rates, with options for morning or afternoon sessions. Additional meal fees apply to children attending funded sessions to cover breakfast, dinner, tea, and snacks. A one-off registration fee is required upon booking.
Funding accepted
30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
Good to know
- A non-refundable registration fee is required.
- Meal charges apply for funded sessions.
Key facts
Opening hours
Mon to Fri, 7:30am - 6pm
Term time / All Year
All Year
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Heathside Day Nursery
Last inspected 12 September 2023
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
Leaders have worked with staff and other agencies to make the required improvements in the setting. The new manager has created a sequenced and exciting curriculum for all children. Staff have attended curriculum training and accessed other useful courses, such as supporting children's communication, language and thinking skills, which means children are confident communicators.
Inspector highlights
- The quality of education is much improved and outcomes for children are good.
- Children are confident communicators who enjoy taking part in discussions.
- Children are supported to make good progress from the outset.
- Children are able to build secure attachments to key members of staff.
- Children develop good manners and respect for others from an early age.
Areas to develop
- 1continue to embed the new arrangements for staff coaching to raise the quality of educational practice to the highest levels across the team
- 2support staff to shape and adapt activities in a timely way to better support children's preferred ways to learn
- 3strengthen information sharing as children move through rooms in the setting.
Inspection #10286321 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
This report does not contain a summary about SEND.
Outdoor space
Children have access to a large and well-equipped outdoor area. This provides many opportunities for them to practise their physical skills. Additionally, children learn about wildlife as they safely observe and talk about the wild rabbits with the staff.
Parent Reviews of Heathside Day Nursery
3.5
(8)
Codie Lou
2 months ago
Both of my children have been to this nursery and my daughter still attends now. Since the new manager started, I honestly haven’t had a single issue. The difference has been amazing! All of the staff are so attentive and really take the time to understand each child and their individual needs. You can tell they genuinely care. My son made such lovely, lasting friendships there and built great bonds with the staff — he still talks about them now, which says everything. It’s such a comforting feeling knowing your child is happy, safe and supported. I’d 100% recommend this nursery to anyone in the area looking for somewhere special to send their little one 💛
Read on Google
Ste White
8 months ago
My son with additional needs attended this nursery in the pre school class. Because of his needs we requested the nursery to apply for a ehcp which is essential in my son's application for a special needs school. This normally takes 6-8 weeks. It took the manager of this nursery 9 months to do this for us. Even though everything she needed was provided at the earliest opportunity. We were continually lied to by her that it was "nearly done" and would be "sent off later today". By the time she finally sent it off, it was too late to apply for a school and therefore my son is now without a school for the new term. This is a massive failure by the manager which has impacted our sons education and progression. However, I cannot fault the class key worker who was brilliant with our son and he realy enjoyed attending her class, along with her assistants who were also great with him. It's just a big shame he was let down so badly by the manager.
Read on Google
Geraldine Fallon
4 years ago
Heathside is a fantastic nursery. My child has been there since January 2020 and it was the first time putting my child in full time child care. From the beginning i felt at ease, the staff are always available, they were and are approachable, friendly and down to earth. I always go with how i feel about a place and from the beginning i knew i chose the right nursery for my daughter to grow and develop. My child loves going into nursery everyday, i know that she is a safe environment, i know that if any issues i am contacted straight away with either a call or via the parent app. Via the app the staff keep my up dated with my child meals, toilets visits, naps and general day to day activities. I love getting new information where i see what my child is doing with the staff and her friends. Heathside is a great nursery for anyone to send there children. I would highly recommend. I thank you the staff for looking after and keeping my child safe everyday
Read on Google
Hayley McCaffrey
2 years ago
My daughter loves this nursery. She has been going for over a year and is learning so much. The activities are varied and enjoyable. The surroundings are spectacular as the outdoor space is so vast. The management are friendly and the staff are so caring and form lovely bonds with the children. I would highly recommend this nursery.
Read on Google
tommy hotchkiss
4 years ago
keep away staff slagg kids off make fun of the parents just bad full stop message me if i need to know more i suggest moving your kids
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Heathside Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Improved from Requires improvement → Good in 2023
Date: January 2014
- September 2023Good
- March 2023Requires improvement
- November 2022Inadequate
- July 2017Good
- January 2014Good
Frequently asked about Heathside Day Nursery
Nearby day nurseries in Runcorn
Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Heathside Day Nursery.
-
0.3 miOfsted: Good
Weston Pre-School Group
Runcorn · WA7 4RA
-
0.4 miOfsted: Good
The Park Day Nursery
Runcorn · WA7 4SQ
-
0.5 miOfsted: Good
Vicarage Lodge Preschool Community Playgroup
Runcorn · WA7 4PS
-
0.5 miOfsted: Outstanding
Dunky's Day Nursery (Runcorn)
Runcorn · WA7 4JJ
4.4(7 reviews) -
0.9 miOfsted: Outstanding
Play Away Day Nursery
Runcorn · WA7 5PY
-
1.0 miOfsted: Good
Early Learners Nursery (Runcorn)
Runcorn · WA7 5TR
4.7(15 reviews)
Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details.
Claim listingShare 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