Opening hours
Monday to Friday, from 7am until 6pm, all year round, and the pre-school is open Monday to Friday, from 9am until 3pm, during term time.
Smallworld
Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2023)
Number of places
32 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2023
Local authority
Cheshire West and Chester
About this day nursery
Smallworld, a childcare setting on non-domestic premises in Northwich, CW8 2ND, received a "Good" rating in its latest Ofsted inspection on September 8, 2023. The nursery provides a warm and stimulating environment where children are "extremely happy and settled," benefiting from a wide range of engaging activities both indoors and outdoors.
Established in 2002, Smallworld is open year-round, Monday to Friday, from 7 am to 6 pm, with a pre-school operating during term-time from 9 am to 3 pm. The dedicated staff, most of whom hold qualifications at level 3 and above, ensure a broad and balanced curriculum, tailoring activities to support each child's individual developmental steps.
The nursery effectively promotes children's personal development, independence, and strong communication and language skills through engaging stories, songs, and various real-world experiences like visits from community helpers and trips to the zoo. Parents are very satisfied with the service, appreciating the flexible settling-in process and regular updates on their child's daily activities.
What it's like
Children are extremely happy and settled at Smallworld. They benefit from a wide range of exciting and stimulating activities that the staff provide, gaining a thirst for learning from a young age. They behave very well, play harmoniously, and show good listening and attention skills, following staff instructions. Children also benefit from various visitors and outings, helping them learn about the world around them.
Stimulating ActivitiesStrong IndependenceGood CommunicationDedicated StaffEngaged Learning
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
Key facts
Term time / All Year
Mixed
Established
2002
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Smallworld
Last inspected 8 September 2023
Overall effectiveness
Good
What it's like to attend
Children are extremely happy and settled at Smallworld. They benefit from a wide range of exciting and stimulating activities that the staff provide, gaining a thirst for learning from a young age. They behave very well, play harmoniously, and show good listening and attention skills, following staff instructions. Children also benefit from various visitors and outings, helping them learn about the world around them.
Inspector highlights
- Children are extremely happy and settled, benefiting from a wide range of exciting and stimulating activities that the staff provide.
- Children behave very well and play harmoniously together, showing good listening and attention skills.
- Children benefit from various visitors to the setting, such as a dental nurse and community police officer, and go on walks around the local community and to the zoo.
- Leaders are dedicated and passionate about providing high-quality childcare, creating a broad and balanced curriculum.
- Staff plan many opportunities to enhance children's growing independence, such as babies collecting cushions at story time, toddlers pouring their own drinks, and older children putting on their own coats and shoes.
- Communication and language is promoted very well, with children's joyful singing and active involvement in stories.
- Children's physical development is promoted well through outdoor play and activities like riding balance bicycles.
- The special educational needs coordinator supports children with SEND well, proactive in seeking advice and making referrals.
- Parents are thrilled with the service provided, appreciating flexible settling-in processes and daily updates.
Areas to develop
- 1help children gain an understanding of how to safely use the internet and digital technology.
Inspection #10301495 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
The special educational needs coordinator supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well, proactively seeking advice and making referrals to other professionals when necessary. Tailored plans are put in place to meet individual needs.
Outdoor space
Outdoor activities are used to develop physical skills, such as toddlers using pipettes to add water to ice cube trays and children riding balance bicycles and ride-on toys on a track.
Inspection history
Date: February 2007
- September 2023Good
- January 2018Good
- December 2014Good
- November 2011Good
- February 2007Outstanding
Frequently asked about Smallworld
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