Nurseries and childcare in Halton
We know of 28 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers across Halton. 3 are state nursery schools, shown below with their latest Ofsted inspection: 2 of 3 judged good or better. Most nurseries are private, voluntary or part of a school, and Ofsted inspects those too: every one has a report on Ofsted’s website.
State nursery schools across Halton
- Aspiring Foundations Federated Nursery Schools - Ditton Nursery SchoolGood or better School remains Good (2024) · phone and directions
- Aspiring Foundations Federated Nursery Schools - Warrington Road Nursery SchoolBelow good Good in 2, requires improvement in 2 (2025) · phone and directions
- Birchfield Nursery SchoolGood or better School remains Good (2023)
Each name goes to its Ofsted reports. Primary schools, many with a nursery class, are on the schools page.
Nurseries and childcare by area
A few to start with
- Ditton Nursery School Preschool Dundalk Road, Widnes, WA8 8DF 4 Call
- Moore Village Pre-School Preschool Runcorn Rd, Warrington, WA4 6TZ 5 Call
- Preston Brook Pre-School Preschool Hall, Sandy La, Runcorn, WA7 3AW 4 Call
- Spinney Preschool Preschool Spinney Ave, Widnes, WA8 8LD 5 Call
- The Park Day Nursery Preschool 86 Moughland Ln, Runcorn, WA7 4SQ 5 Call
- Warrington Road Nursery School Preschool Naylor Rd, Widnes, WA8 5 Call
- Wilmere Lane Nursery School Preschool Wilmere Ln, Widnes, WA8 5 Call
- Daisy Maisies Preschool 25-27 Appleton Village, Widnes, WA8 6EL 5 Call
- Daisy Maisies Preschool Wilsden Rd, Widnes, WA8 5 Call
- Dunky's Day Nursery Day care preschool 24 Greenoaks Way, Morrisions Shopping Mall, Widnes, WA8 6UD Call
- Dunkys Day Nursery Preschool Sefton Avenue, Widnes, WA8 5 Call
- Gorsewood Pre School Playgroup Preschool Gorsewood Rd, Murdishaw Wood, WA7 6ES 4 Call
- Palace Fields Day Care Centre Elementary school Palace Fields Day Care Centre, Badger Close, Palacefields, WA7 5 Call
- St John's Pre-School Preschool Greenway Rd, Widnes, WA8 Call
- Upton Day Nursery Preschool Arley Dr, Widnes, WA8 5 Call
- Upton Day Nursery Day care preschool Arley Drive, Widnes, WA8 Call
- Childcare Home service Bollin Court, Widnes, WA8 Call
- Haltys Den Day Nursery Preschool Halton General Hospital Block 7, Runcorn, WA7 2DA Call
- J J's Childminding Child care and day care Castner Ave, Weston Point, WA7 Call
- JJ's Early Explorers Preschool Cotterill, Runcorn, WA7 2NL Call
- Little Dragons Childcare Preschool 2a High St, Liverpool, L24 4AF Call
- Play Away Day Nursery Child care and day care Grasmere Dr, Beechwood, WA7 2TT Call
- Play Away Day Nursery Child care and day care Langdale Rd, Runcorn, WA7 5PY Call
- Playmates Day Nursery Preschool Hough Green Rd, Widnes, WA8 Call
Choosing a nursery
- Read the latest Ofsted report. Search by name or postcode on reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Private nurseries and childminders are on it as well as school nurseries.
- Visit, and ask about the day. Ratios of staff to children, how they settle a new child in, food, naps and time outdoors.
- Ask about funded hours and extra charges. Some nurseries charge for meals, nappies or trips on top of funded hours.
- Check waiting lists early. Popular nurseries fill months ahead, especially for babies.
Questions people ask
What do Ofsted grades mean for nurseries?
Until late 2025 Ofsted gave one overall grade: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate. Newer inspections give a report card instead, grading each area on a scale from exceptional to urgent improvement. Older grades stay on a nursery’s record until its next inspection.
Can I get free childcare hours?
In England every three and four year old can get 15 hours a week of funded childcare in term time. Working parents can get up to 30 hours a week from when their child is nine months old, if each parent earns at least 16 hours a week at the minimum wage and under £100,000 a year. Check and apply at childcarechoices.gov.uk.
How do I check a nursery’s Ofsted report?
Search for it by name or postcode on reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Every registered nursery and childminder in England has a page there with its inspection reports.
How many nurseries are there in Halton?
We know of 28 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers across Halton, including 3 state nursery schools. Childminders working from home don’t always appear on maps, so there may be more.
Other things people look for
Nursery school inspections from Ofsted, Open Government Licence. Listings from Overture Maps, the Food Standards Agency and © OpenStreetMap contributors. Missing one? Tell us.