Nursery Advice
Claim Your Nursery

Little Bears

Ofsted: Good
(Mar 2023)
·The Smile Centre, Sandy Lane, Warrington, WA2 9BX · Warrington
Number of places
35 places
Age range
1–5 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2023
Local authority
Warrington

About this day nursery

Little Bears Nursery in Warrington operates as part of St. Margaret's CE Primary School. While specific details about the nursery, such as its ethos, pricing, and daily operations, are not directly outlined on the provided pages, the school website offers insights into its admissions process.

Parents are encouraged to consult the Warrington Borough Council website for information regarding nursery admission arrangements and can access specific nursery admission policies for upcoming academic years directly from the school's admissions page. The school, and presumably the nursery, falls under the Emmanuel Diocese of Liverpool Academies Trust, which aims to provide a distinctly Christian education.

Prospective parents are welcome to visit the school before their child's admission, and many children attending reception have previously been part of the nursery department to familiarise themselves with the school environment. The school maintains waiting lists for all year groups and processes in-year transfer requests in conjunction with the local authority.

What it's like

Children are warmly welcomed into this cosy but exciting playgroup. The home-from-home atmosphere helps all children to feel secure and develop strong bonds with staff, who nurture and care for them. The stimulating and well-resourced environment facilitates children's play and exploration, with personalised care for babies including dedicated indoor and outdoor play spaces.

Part of Primary SchoolChristian Ethos (via Trust)Warrington Borough Admissions

Pricing & funding

Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Request pricing →

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6pm, for 39 weeks of the year

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Bears

Last inspected 21 March 2023 · Layla Davies

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children are warmly welcomed into this cosy but exciting playgroup. The home-from-home atmosphere helps all children to feel secure and develop strong bonds with staff, who nurture and care for them. The stimulating and well-resourced environment facilitates children's play and exploration, with personalised care for babies including dedicated indoor and outdoor play spaces.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are warmly welcomed into this cosy but exciting playgroup.
  • The new leadership team has worked tirelessly to address weaknesses identified previously.
  • Partnership working is strong, with links with parents and the local primary school in place.
  • Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities effectively.
  • Diversity is celebrated and accepted, with thoughtful resources and activities that promote inclusion and disability awareness.

Areas to develop

  • 1focus more precisely on individual children's next steps in learning
  • 2develop the curriculum intent further so all staff have a clear understanding of what it is they intend children to learn
  • 3help to improve staff understanding of the need to promote oral hygiene
Inspection #10266867 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities effectively. Simple sign language is practised to help children communicate. Staff work with parents and external professionals to ensure relevant and timely support for children who need a little more help.

Outdoor space

Babies explore their dedicated play spaces, indoors and outdoors. Older children know which way they should ride scooters along the cycle tracks to ensure everyone is safe outdoors.

Inspection history
Improved from Inadequate → Good in 2023

Date: November 2014

  • March 2023Good
  • November 2022Inadequate
  • May 2017Good
  • May 2015Good
  • November 2014Inadequate

Frequently asked about Little Bears

About the setting

Little Bears registered in 2011 and is situated in Orford, Warrington. The playgroup is open Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6pm, for 39 weeks of the year. There are currently nine members of staff working directly with children, all of whom hold an early years qualification at level 3 or above. The setting offers funded early education for two-, three-, and four-year-old children.

URN
EY428545
Registered person
St Margaret's Playgroup (Orford) Committee
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises
Previous rating
Inadequate

Nearby day nurseries in Warrington

Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Little Bears.

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