Best nurseries in Kirkby
12 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools in Knowsley, best Ofsted result first: the latest report card or overall grade, then the most recent inspection. Childminders are not listed (Ofsted does not publish their addresses).
| # | Nursery | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bright Horizons Kirkby Day Nursery and Preschool Full day care · 67 places · L33 7ET | Outstanding (2022) |
| 2 | Rainbow Childcare (Kirkby) Ltd Full day care · 32 places · L32 0TG | Outstanding (2022) |
| 3 | Explorers Kirkby Full day care · 82 places · L32 6QG | Good (2025) |
| 4 | Little Gems Nursery and After School Club Full day care · 36 places · L33 1XT | Good (2025) |
| 5 | Kids Planet Kirkby Full day care · 98 places · L32 0TZ | Good (2024) |
| 6 | Playtots Full day care · 16 places · L33 9TW | Good (2024) |
| 7 | Kids In Bloom @ Southdene Childrens Centre Ltd Full day care · 56 places · L32 9PF | Good (2023) |
| 8 | Kids Planet Fazakerley Full day care · 88 places · L10 0AG | Good (2023) |
| 9 | Tigers Tots Nursery Full day care · 81 places · L33 5YP | Good (2023) |
| 10 | Bloom @ Kirkby Town centre Full day care · 41 places · L32 8RH | Not yet inspected |
| 11 | Kids In Bloom @ Northwood Childrens Centre Full day care · 53 places · L33 8XD | Not yet inspected |
| 12 | The Star Centre Choices Sessional day care · 26 places · L33 1ZF | Not yet inspected |
How much does nursery cost in Kirkby?
Typical weekly nursery prices for a child under two in North West, from the Coram Childcare Survey 2026. A guide only: ask each nursery for its own fees.
Working parents in England can get 30 funded hours a week in term time from when their child is 9 months old, so a 25-hour place can cost little or nothing in term time. Every 3 and 4 year old gets at least 15 funded hours. Funded hours cover 38 weeks a year; nurseries can charge for extra hours, meals and activities. Check what you can get at Childcare Choices.
Questions
What are the best nurseries in Kirkby?
Of 12 nurseries and pre-schools in Kirkby, 2 have Ofsted's top results (Outstanding, or mostly strong or exceptional on the new report card). Listed first: Bright Horizons Kirkby Day Nursery and Preschool, Rainbow Childcare (Kirkby) Ltd, Explorers Kirkby.
How much does nursery cost in Kirkby?
In North West, a part-time place (25 hours a week) for a child under two typically costs £178 a week without funded hours (Coram Childcare Survey 2026). Working parents can get 30 funded hours a week in term time from 9 months.
How many nurseries are there in Kirkby?
12 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools, 9 of them inspected so far.
Nurseries nearby
Source: Ofsted early years inspections. Ofsted's report card (from November 2025) grades curriculum, achievement, behaviour, children's welfare and leadership as exceptional, strong, expected, needs attention or urgent improvement; earlier inspections gave one overall grade.