Opening hours
Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday : 07:00 - 18:00
Partou Playaway Day Nursery & Pre-School
Ofsted: Needs attention·
4.9(30 parent reviews)
·34 Devonshire Place, Harrogate, HG1 4AD · North Yorkshire
Number of places
72 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Nov 2025
Local authority
North Yorkshire
About this day nursery
Partou Playaway Day Nursery & Pre-School, located in Harrogate, has dedicated staff who nurture strong bonds with children aged 0-4 years. Established in 2006, the setting operates year-round, Monday to Friday, from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
While the latest Ofsted inspection on November 11, 2025, rated the nursery as 'Inadequate', highlighting areas for improvement in learning support and communication, it also recognised many positives. Safeguarding standards are met, with a strong culture where concerns are actively managed, and leaders have made significant improvements to the curriculum and learning environments.
Children at the nursery are described as behaving very well, thriving in an atmosphere where staff act as positive role models, treating them with respect and kindness. There's a strong focus on developing communication and language skills, and children's good health is promoted through hygiene, outdoor play, and nutritious meals.
The nursery's leadership team has been diligently addressing weaknesses and implementing action plans to enhance the provision, particularly in supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and English as an additional language, although timely referrals and curriculum adaptation for these children still need improvement. Staff receive ongoing support and training, contributing to individual plans for children with SEND which are having a positive impact.
They have also developed robust action plans to address weaknesses identified in previous inspections. Regular access to outdoor play is part of the children's daily routine, promoting physical activity and exploration.
What it's like
Children are cared for by staff who are attentive to their needs. They are quick to offer cuddles and reassurance to children when required. Children form strong bonds with the dedicated staff, and the key-person system is effective. Children receive a warm welcome from staff on arrival at the nursery. They settle quickly and demonstrate that they are keen to go and explore the interesting activities available.
Strong bonds with staffSafeguarding standards metImproved curriculumFocus on communicationGood behaviour
Key facts
Term time / All Year
All_year
Established
2006
Ofsted Inspection — new report card
Needs attention
Last inspected Nov 2025
Grade summary
Exceptional
—
Strong standard
—
Expected standard
Needs attention
Urgent improvement
—
Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.
Category grades
AchievementNeeds attention
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesExpected standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected standard
Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
InclusionNeeds attention
Leadership and governanceNeeds attention
Age range
0 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Partou Playaway Day Nursery & Pre-School
Last inspected 11 November 2025
Actions the provider must take
- ensure that arrangements to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and for children who may face other barriers to their learning, are recognised and implemented in a timely manner
- improve communication with parents so that they are informed about their children's progress and development and how to support their learning at home
What it's like to attend
Children are cared for by staff who are attentive to their needs. They are quick to offer cuddles and reassurance to children when required. Children form strong bonds with the dedicated staff, and the key-person system is effective. Children receive a warm welcome from staff on arrival at the nursery. They settle quickly and demonstrate that they are keen to go and explore the interesting activities available.
Inspector highlights
- Safeguarding standards are met. Leaders ensure an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified, acted upon and managed.
- Children behave very well. Staff are positive role models, treating children with respect and kindness.
- Children develop a sense of belonging through warm and positive relationships with staff.
- Children's good health is promoted effectively through appropriate hygiene procedures, regular access to outdoor play and nutritious meals.
- Significant improvements have been made to the nursery's curriculum. Learning environments have been developed and enhanced.
- There is a strong focus on developing children's communication and language skills.
Areas to develop
- 1Staff do not use assessment well enough to consistently identify children who may face barriers to their learning, meaning learning opportunities do not always fully reflect individual children's needs to help build on what they know and can do.
- 2Leaders do not ensure that referrals for children who may require additional support from external agencies are made in a timely manner, which prevents children from swiftly receiving the support they need to help them learn and develop.
- 3The information staff collect from parents about children's families and home life is not used consistently enough to identify strategies that may promote children's learning and development further.
- 4Leaders do not sufficiently share with parents information about their children's learning and development to help them continue with their children's learning at home.
- 5Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities do not benefit from targeted support quickly enough, impacting their achievement.
- 6The learning needs of children who speak English as an additional language are not fully recognised, so the curriculum is not adapted to support their progress sufficiently.
Inspection #10414157 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities do not benefit from targeted support quickly enough. Leaders do not ensure that referrals for children who may require additional support from external agencies are made in a timely manner. Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) has been subject to significant change in recent months. Additional support and training are being provided to staff to ensure that procedures are understood and implemented effectively. Staff benefit from support to develop individual plans for children with SEND, which are having a positive impact.
EAL / language support
The learning needs of children who speak English as an additional language are not fully recognised, so the curriculum is not adapted to support their progress sufficiently. Leaders recognise that different groups of children may face barriers to their learning, such as speaking English as an additional language.
Parent Reviews of Partou Playaway Day Nursery & Pre-School
4.9
(30)
Lyndsey Evans
a year ago
Absolutely amazing nursery. The staff are fantastic and make the environment just awesome for the children (and the parents 🙌). My little boy has just left after 3 years and we miss it so much already. The staff do so much with the children, everyday was something different and what made it even better I was kept up to date with everything on the app including pics and videos. The meals that they offer are really good and varied. I couldn't of asked for anything else from a nursery. Thank you everyone.
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Frances Pearson
a year ago
My son attended Play Away and he loved it! The staff are so attentive and supportive and show so much love and care for the children. There are trips out to the stray and a lovely outdoor area as well as comfortable day rooms. Food is great and varies. Above all else I think the staff are what makes this place, especially Maia, Carol, Katie and Kelly and Hollie as manager. Highly recommend!!
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Lil bux
a year ago
Went for a viewing for my son this week. I was met by a wonderful lady called Holly. The manager I believe. What a wonderful lady. So sincere and accommodating. As a new mum leaving my 1st child I came away feeling happy and reassured that my son will be in safe hands. Thank you Holly. You are a credit tobyour company 5***** service
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Ben Jenkinson
a year ago
Brilliant nursery my daughter is currently in pre-school and loves going, she has made some lovely bonds with staff and they are fantastic. The nursery in a whole is a lovely atmosphere with very caring and loving staff. 5* all round!
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Steph Parish
a year ago
Both of my children went to Playaway from age 6 months to starting in school and I could not have wished for a better environment for them. Nurturing, kind, inclusive and attentive. Norma was their key worker for a large part of their time there and it was like handing them over to family each day. Highly recommend
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Partou Playaway Day Nursery & Pre-School. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: July 2009
The most recent inspection point has been hidden because the parsed entry didn't match the headline Ofsted rating (Inadequate). We're re-checking it against the original report.
- October 2025Inadequate
- June 2022Good
- January 2017Good
- July 2013Good
- July 2009Good
Frequently asked about Partou Playaway Day Nursery & Pre-School
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