Opening hours
Monday to Friday 7.30am - 6pm. Closed on bank holidays and for one week over the Christmas period.
Portico at Moss Bank
Ofsted: Outstanding
(Oct 2022)
Number of places
66 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2022
Local authority
St Helens
About this day nursery
Portico at Moss Bank is a nursery located within the Moss Bank Children's Centre, accommodating up to 50 children. It operates as part of the larger Portico Nursery Group, which manages several childcare facilities across Merseyside, Lancashire, and the North West.
The nursery maintains strong ties with the Children's Centre, enabling them to direct families to various local groups and activities. Additionally, it has a successful transition programme with Carr Mill Primary School and other schools in St Helens.
Notably, Portico at Moss Bank boasts a 5-star Environmental Health Food Rating and holds the St Helens Healthy Early Years Status. The nursery received an 'Outstanding' rating during its last Ofsted inspection in February 2017, reflecting its commitment to high-quality care and education.
They welcome prospective parents and carers to visit, offering an open-door policy and disabled access through the Children's Centre's main entrance.
What it's like
Children thrive at this inspirational and happy nursery. They come in smiling, greeting the staff with a cheerful "good morning" and eager to start their day. Children are highly motivated in their learning and are prepared to continue to try hard even when something is difficult.
Outstanding Ofsted rating5-star food hygiene ratingStrong community links
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)
Pricing on request
This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.
Key facts
Term time / All Year
All Year
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Portico at Moss Bank
Last inspected 7 October 2022
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 thrive at this inspirational and happy nursery. They come in smiling, greeting the staff with a cheerful "good morning" and eager to start their day. Children are highly motivated in their learning and are prepared to continue to try hard even when something is difficult.
Inspector highlights
- Staff have a very clear shared understanding about what they want every child to learn.
- Assessment is used highly effectively to identify what children know and can do, and what their next steps are.
- Children behave exceptionally well. They are polite, kind and patient and demonstrate high levels of self-control and independence.
- Children have tremendous fun playing outside, developing in an extensive range of skills.
- Staff are very well supported in their professional development through regular observations of practice and precise and high-quality feedback from leaders and managers.
Inspection #10233736 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents talk with pride about how their children have thrived since starting to attend the nursery and how their behaviour, language and social skills in particular, have developed tremendously well.
They have all the time in the world for the whole family.
Parents are full of praise for the nursery and staff. They feel well informed about their child's progress and how they can continue the learning at home. They are highly appreciative of the work of the nursery team.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Leaders and managers are passionate about all children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieving their maximum potential. They are determined to get the very best additional support for children with SEND, make timely referrals, and work proactively with a range of agencies to ensure all children are very well supported and make rapid progress.
Outdoor space
Children have tremendous fun playing outside, developing in an extensive range of skills. They choose from a challenging range of equipment and scream in delight as they run and play in the wooded area. Staff expertly support pre-school children and toddlers to explore and develop their imagination and role play ideas outside, greatly promoting their language, physical skills, and expressive imagination.
Inspection history
Date: March 2009
- October 2022Outstanding
- February 2017Outstanding
- August 2013Good
- March 2009Good
Frequently asked about Portico at Moss Bank
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