Opening hours
Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7.30am until 6pm
Wind In The Willows Childcare (Longbarn)
Ofsted: Good
(Jul 2025)
Number of places
26 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2025
Local authority
Warrington
About this day nursery
Wind In The Willows Childcare (Longbarn) provides a nurturing environment focused on creative play and inspirational learning. The nursery is committed to delivering high-quality childcare and strives to create an enlightening and vibrant haven for children, regardless of weather.
As an Ofsted-regulated private childcare provider, they adhere to the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and continuously invest in their staff to ensure children receive the best possible care. The nursery emphasises the happiness of each child as the most crucial aspect of their service.
They also show a strong commitment to sustainability, having achieved the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award, and are proud supporters of Hidden Gems CIC. With convenient locations in both Bootle and Warrington, they serve fresh, onsite-prepared meals daily.
The team is dedicated to providing engaging activities and a rich learning experience, fostering confidence and growth in the children under their care.
What it's like
Staff build strong and supportive attachments with all children and their families. These relationships help children to bond quickly with staff. Children feel secure and are mostly motivated and keen to learn new skills.
Creative Play and Inspirational LearningEYFS FrameworkEco-Schools Green Flag AwardFreshly Prepared MealsChild Happiness Focused
Pricing & funding
Fees are charged per full day or half day session, which include all meals and snacks. Unfunded hours are billed at an hourly rate. For funded sessions, additional fees apply for lunch and snacks.
Funding accepted
30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds
Good to know
- Full day and half day sessions include all meals and snacks.
- Additional meal and snack charges apply for funded sessions.
Key facts
Food
All children's meals are prepared fresh onsite each day.
Term time / All Year
All Year
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Wind In The Willows Childcare (Longbarn)
Last inspected 24 July 2025 · Deborah Magee
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
Staff build strong and supportive attachments with all children and their families. These relationships help children to bond quickly with staff. Children feel secure and are mostly motivated and keen to learn new skills.
Inspector highlights
- The curriculum for physical development is ambitious. Children develop their strength as they dig in the mud pit and move soil in buckets and develop their coordination as they dance and exercise.
- Staff work hard to give children enjoyable experiences. They provide an abundance of opportunities for children to grow and harvest vegetables, litter pick and plant flowers in the community.
- Staff help children to develop a love of reading. They introduce children to a range of engaging texts and provide opportunities for children to snuggle up in the garden and listen to stories in the cosy wood cabin.
- Staff feel supported to complete their roles. Managers offer supervision opportunities and explain that their well-being is prioritised, and their workloads are manageable.
- Parents are grateful for the support that staff offer them. Staff provide parents with advice and guidance on child development and information to help their children learn at home.
Areas to develop
- 1support staff to consistently implement strategies to further enhance children's communication and language development
- 2provide staff with precise feedback and support to plan activities that fully engage children in their learning.
Inspection #10398596 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
Outdoor space
The curriculum for physical development is ambitious. Children develop their strength as they dig in the mud pit and move soil in buckets. Staff provide opportunities for children to develop their coordination as they dance and exercise. Staff provide opportunities for children to snuggle up in the garden and listen to stories in the cosy wood cabin.
Parent Reviews of Wind In The Willows Childcare (Longbarn)
4.5
(13)
Emma Clough McKillop
7 years ago
My eldest son started at this nursery in 2012, I found the staff were lovely and friendly. They took pride in their work and made each child feel very welcome. I was always very happy and had a lovely relationship with staff members, in year 2015 my youngest son started at the nursery, it was lovely to see staff who were still there and meet new members, the nursery had evolved with more modern touches and my youngest loved it there too. The staff are amazing and have great attention to detail, it's very safe, Clean, warm and friendly. All the staff work well as a team, I had good feed back when collecting the children after their time there. I would highly recommend Wind in the willows, my two miss it and still talk of happy memories made there. Thank you to the team there.
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Hollie Buckley
7 years ago
My 2 eldest children went to this nursery and they absolutely loved it! The staff are amazing, so kind and friendly. They always had fun activities to help them learn and be creative. I would highly recommend the nursery to everyone and always tell my friends about it when they are looking to put their children into day care.
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Ashleigh Beddall
7 years ago
My daughter went to wind in the willows from 9 months till 4 years, she loved the nursery and all the staff. As a parent it so hard to leave your child but all the staff made this very easy and the updates you receive on the app is a special touch. Would recommend Wind in the Willows to all my friends and family.
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Krysia Rutter
7 years ago
Always welcoming and helpful. Both my children are happy and feel safe when in nursery and excited to tell me all about their day when I collect them. They Cater for individual needs and nothing is too much. I would definitely recommend this nursery.
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Reanna Roberts
7 years ago
Last year in September, I came to WITW as a student for my course and it was the first setting I ever went and it was the best experience i could of ever asked for. The staff was so loving and caring that they made me feel as if I was part of their team. They made sure all the children where happy and comfortable and every morning I went into the setting I had hugs from the children. It’s such an amazing setting and would highly recommend it to any parent who is looking for a nursery, I can’t wait to go back todo my placement again here. Thank you so much the WITW staff for making me feel some welcomed and I will see you soon.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Wind In The Willows Childcare (Longbarn). See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: January 2013
- July 2025Good
- October 2019Good
- February 2015Good
- March 2014Requires improvement
- January 2013Outstanding
Frequently asked about Wind In The Willows Childcare (Longbarn)
About the setting
Wind In The Willows Childcare (Longbarn) registered in 2012. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff, with qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 6. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7.30am until 6pm and provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.
- URN
- EY447148
- Registered person
- Wind In The Willows Childcare Limited
- Day care type
- Full day care
- Register
- Early Years Register
- Establishment type
- Childcare on non-domestic premises
- Previous rating
- Good
Nearby day nurseries in WARRINGTON
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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