STOP PRESS: Spaces going – any start time available, get your funding code or renew it now ready for January 2025.
Want the flexibility of any term-time session and/or full days (7.30am to 5.30pm with individual drop-offs and pick-ups, particularly suits parents working in education) at our excellent, independent, happy pre-school with a proven 38-year track record of school readiness while maintaining a family feel? Places available for funded and unfunded 2 to 4 year olds. Ofsted says “Animated teaching inspires children. Curriculum is ambitious and well planned.” Fees from £5.90 per hour (£4.72 with tax-free childcare). If you need to change your booking – just ask, and we’ll accommodate your request if we can. Children can start at any time.
We are available for enquiries during the holidays and out of pre-school hours (07944 208909 or willastonpreschool@gmail.com). You can also complete our Expression of Interest form here and we will get in contact with you straight away.
Welcome to Willaston Pre-school, a very experienced pre-school serving the local families of Weston, Shavington, Hough, Wistaston, Crewe and Nantwich, and not affiliated to any religion or primary school. We can be very flexible to meet your family’s needs. We are nestled next to the park in Willaston, offering large spacious play areas both indoors and outdoors, including a wildlife garden.
Current feedback from parents
Don’t just take our word for it – here are just a few comments (of many) about what we do well from our latest parent survey in September 2024 (in which 100% rated us as excellent and 100% would be extremely likely to recommend us to other parents):
“Provision is excellently managed and provides exactly what preschool children need; excellent care and attention from the staff, social interaction, free play and lots of time outside exploring.”
“Everyone is so happy and friendly. It’s lovely to have a small preschool. The child/ staff ratio is also amazing. “
“All staff members are wonderful, genuinely caring, and make a real effort with the children. It’s special to see.”
“All staff make such a huge effort to make the children feel happy and comfortable, the most genuinely caring staff I’ve seen in a setting…. As well as a clearly successful learning curriculum – his vocabulary and imagination is thriving.”
“The children have loved going out into the community and likewise having regular visitors to share knowledge. It has made learning purposeful and interesting.”
“Activities linked to books and stories the children are familiar with to have lots of exposure and opportunities to practise language and different skills.”
“The pre-school has all of the benefits of a school nursery with regards to routine, resources and effective planning for learning and development whilst also having a nurturing feel which gives the children a real personalised experience based on their interests and needs”
For other great parent reviews, see daynurseries.co.uk and childcare.co.uk.
Frequently asked questions
Ofsted rating November 2019: Good in all areas
Next start date available: January 2025
Age of children: From 2nd birthday to 5 years old (we are fully equipped for changing nappies and will support your child with all stages of toilet training). Our inspirational teaching will ensure your child is ready for primary school. Your child can start at any time to suit you e.g. mid-term, subject to availability.
Location: St Johns Church Hall (with onsite parking) next to the level crossing on Wybunbury Rd opposite Eastern Rd, CW5 7JF, convenient for Weston, Wistaston, Shavington, Haslington, Hough, Wybunbury, Crewe, Nantwich, Aston, and other localities.
Available opening hours: 7.30am to 5.30pm (with individual staggered start and end times to suit you) Monday to Friday term time.
Free hours: Can be used for any day to cover attendance up to 10 hours per day. All children over 9 months with working parents qualify for 15 free hours of sessions per week from September 2024. All 3 year olds qualify for at least 15 free hours with those of working parents qualifying for 30 hours per week.
Fees (where applicable) from Sept 2024: £17.70 per session (£5.90 per hour), with tax-free childcare equivalent of £4.72 per hour.
Additional 45p snack fee per session applies to all except disadvantaged 2 year olds. Nutritious hot 2 course lunches £3 per day.
Advantages: Great stepping stone between home and school, with highly qualified, kind and experienced staff, who all have their own children (and in some cases grandchildren). When the first day at big school arrives, your child will be ready to learn, socially mature and independent, whether eventually attending local schools such as Weston, Shavington, Wistaston Church Lane, Highfields, Peartree, Broad Lane, Millfields, The Dingle, or St Annes. As we are not affiliated to any particular school, you won’t be putting all your eggs in one basket when it comes to the school allocated to you by Cheshire East.
Level of bookings: Completely up to you – from 1 session per week up to 10 sessions.
Number in the team: 9
Maximum number of children covered by normal ratios in any session: 24
Maximum staff ratios: Overall maximum of 6 children per team member at any time (for 2 year olds this is reduced to 4 children).
Food safety award: Top grade (5) – November 2024
We hope our website manages to answer most of your questions, and if you are interested in a place, please email willastonpreschool@gmail.com or phone/text 07944 208909.