Nurseries and childcare in Thornes
We know of 23 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers within 3 miles of the middle of Thornes. 2 are state nursery schools, shown below with their latest Ofsted inspection: 2 of 2 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 within 3 miles of the middle of Thornes
- The Castle Nursery SchoolGood or better School remains Good (2023) · 0.9 mi · phone and directions
- Crigglestone Nursery SchoolGood or better Standards maintained (2025) · 1.9 mi · phone and directions
Each name goes to its Ofsted reports. Primary schools, many with a nursery class, are on the schools page.
Nurseries and childcare near Thornes, nearest first
- Waterton House Day Care Centre Social and human service · 0.9 miles Waterton House, Waterton Rd, Wakefield, WF2 8HT Call
- The Castle Nursery School Elementary school · 1.0 miles 255A Barnsley Road, Wakefield, WF1 5NU 4 Call
- RKS Brightsparks Preschool · 1.2 miles Balne Ln, Wakefield, WF2 0DP Call
- Home Based Breaks Service Child care and day care · 1.4 miles Springfield Grange, Wakefield, WF2 Call
- Greenhill Nursery School Preschool · 1.4 miles Greenhill Rd, Wakefield, WF1 4LU Call
- St John's Pre-School Preschool · 1.4 miles Wentworth St, Wakefield, WF1 Call
- Alverthorpe Grange Nursery Preschool · 1.5 miles 5 Conway Rd, Wakefield, WF2 0AZ Call
- Acacia Private Nursery Preschool · 1.5 miles 1 Westfield Terrace, Wakefield, WF1 3RD Call
- Brooke Family Childcare Child care and day care · 1.5 miles Shepley St, Wakefield, WF1 Call
- Nurtured at Wakefield Preschool · 1.6 miles Eastmoor Road, Wakefield, WF13 Call
- Batley Road Pre-school Preschool · 1.6 miles Batley Rd, Wakefield, WF2 0AE Call
- St James' Playcare Child care and day care · 1.7 miles Rockley Dr, Wakefield, WF2 Call
- Crigglestone Day Care Home service · 1.8 miles Standbridge Ln, Wakefield, WF2 7NP 5 Call
- Crigglestone Nursery School Preschool · 1.9 miles 18 High St, Wakefield, WF4 3EB Call
- The Mount Junior, Infant and Nursery School School · 2.1 miles The Mount, Wakefield, WF10
- Busy Bees Preschool · 2.1 miles Paragon Business Village, 3 Red Hall Ct, Wakefield, WF1 2UN 5 Call
- Little Wrens Nursery Day care preschool · 2.3 miles Wrenthorpe Lane , Wrenthorpe , Wakefield, WF2 0NL Call
- Wrenthorpe Pre-School Preschool · 2.3 miles The Wrenthorpe Centre, Imperial Ave, Wakefield, WF2 0LW Call
- Rainbow Child Care Home service · 2.5 miles 152 Wakefield Rd, Ossett, WF5 9AQ 5 Call
- Little Stars Day Nursery Day care preschool · 2.7 miles 20 Horbury Rd, Ossett, WF5 0BN 5 Call
- Flushdyke boarding and day care Pet boarding · 2.8 miles Wakefield Road, Ossett, WF5 9, United Kingdom, Ossett, WF59 Call
- Rooks Nest Preschool and Day Care Centre Preschool · 2.9 miles Rook's Nest Rd, Wakefield, WF1 Call
- Outwood Preschool Day care preschool · 3.0 miles 560A Leeds Road, Wakefield, WF1 2DT 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.
Nurseries and childcare nearby
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 Thornes?
We know of 23 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers within 3 miles of the middle of Thornes, including 2 state nursery schools. Childminders working from home don’t always appear on maps, so there may be more.
More in Thornes
Nursery school inspections from Ofsted, Open Government Licence. Listings from Overture Maps, the Food Standards Agency and © OpenStreetMap contributors. Missing one? Tell us.