Waitlist
Spaces available for September 2026 for 2, 3, and 4-year-olds.
St Marks Preschool St. Helens
Ofsted: Outstanding
(Oct 2021)
Number of places
30 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2021
Local authority
St Helens
About this day nursery
St. Marks Pre-School, located in St. Helens, WA10 2TZ, offers early years education with an ethos centred around preparing children for independence and new learning experiences. The preschool prides itself on creating a safe and engaging environment where children can learn that other adults can be a source of support and friendship.
Emphasising a smooth transition, St. Marks Pre-School implements a thorough settling-in procedure, typically involving a minimum of three sessions, to ensure children feel comfortable and confident in their new setting. The first session requires parents to stay to complete paperwork and speak with their child's key person, while subsequent sessions gradually introduce periods of independent play.
The preschool has a strong reputation, having been graded 'Outstanding' by Ofsted in all areas following its first inspection in October 2021. Furthermore, it has consistently been recognised as one of the top 20 nurseries in the North West for seven consecutive years, highlighting its commitment to high-quality childcare and parent satisfaction.
St. Marks Pre-School accepts funded spaces for 2, 3, and 4-year-olds and encourages prospective families to arrange visits to meet the team and explore the facilities.
What it's like
Children arrive at the pre-school with a strong sense of purpose, greeted by managers and staff who are equally enthusiastic for the day. This creates an environment where children are ready for new and familiar experiences, entering a world shaped by staff's expert understanding of child development. All children, including those with EAL and SEND, make excellent progress and feel secure.
Ofsted OutstandingAward-winningSettling-in procedureFunded spaces accepted
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
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
Age range
2-4 years
Term time / All Year
Term Time
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for St Marks Preschool St. Helens
Last inspected 7 October 2021
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 arrive at the pre-school with a strong sense of purpose, greeted by managers and staff who are equally enthusiastic for the day. This creates an environment where children are ready for new and familiar experiences, entering a world shaped by staff's expert understanding of child development. All children, including those with EAL and SEND, make excellent progress and feel secure.
Inspector highlights
- Managers demonstrate superb attention to detail that underpins the curriculum, such as equipping a 'dough station' for children to learn to make play dough independently.
- Staff plan activities that precisely target children's communication skills, seamlessly integrating concepts like 'taller' and 'tallest' into engaging play.
- When children speak English as an additional language, managers invite parents to read stories in their home languages, fascinating children and broadening their understanding of the wider world.
- Staff expertly apply their knowledge of child development to sequence children's learning, helping younger children develop dexterity and older children form written letters correctly.
- Staff act swiftly and effectively to support children whose development gives cause for concern, closely partnering with external professionals for children with SEND.
Inspection #10190681 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
pre-school activities create a lasting impression on not only the children but parents and carers too
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
All children, including children who speak English as an additional language and children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make excellent progress and feel extremely secure. Staff act swiftly and effectively to support children whose development gives cause for concern. Children who have SEND benefit from the pre-school's close partnership with external professionals. Staff carefully dovetail children's individual learning programmes into planned and spontaneous teaching.
Outdoor space
Children eagerly volunteer to help staff to check for hazards before outdoor play. They quickly spot that the gate needs closing to keep everyone safe. They know that they must tell an adult if anything is broken. This helps children learn to think ahead about health and safety matters.
Parent Reviews of St Marks Preschool St. Helens
5.0
(1)
Valerie Campbell
10 months ago
Amazing pre school for your little ones. Very professional, caring and excellent Ofsted reports. Would highly recommend ✴️✴️✴️✴️✴️
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for St Marks Preschool St. Helens. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Most recent inspection
7 October 2021
Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.
View full Ofsted reportFrequently asked about St Marks Preschool St. Helens
About the setting
St Mark's Pre-School registered in 2018. The pre-school employs three members of childcare staff, with two holding level 3 qualifications and one holding early years teacher status. It operates Monday to Friday during school terms, from 9am until 4pm, providing funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.
- URN
- EY560059
- Registered person
- Carla Disley And Sarah Smith Partnership
- Day care type
- Full day care
- Register
- Early Years Register
- Establishment type
- Childcare on non-domestic premises
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