Best nurseries in Runcorn
24 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools in Halton, 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 | Dunky's Day Nursery (Runcorn) Full day care · 103 places · WA7 4JJ | Outstanding (2025) |
| 2 | JJ's Early Explorers Ltd Sessional day care · 39 places · WA7 2NL | Outstanding (2022) |
| 3 | Beechwood Nursery & Pre-school Ltd Full day care · 84 places · WA7 2TT | Good (2025) |
| 4 | Preston Brook Preschool Sessional day care · 24 places · WA7 3AW | Good (2025) |
| 5 | Windmill Hill Nursery Full day care · 55 places · WA7 6QE | Good (2024) |
| 6 | S4YC @ St Mary's Preschool & Out of School Club Sessional day care · 48 places · WA7 2NR | Good (2024) |
| 7 | Weston Pre-School Group Full day care · 29 places · WA7 4RA | Good (2024) |
| 8 | Ladybirds Neighbourhood Nursery Full day care · 66 places · WA7 5LU | Good (2024) |
| 9 | Sunshine Under 5's Full day care · 19 places · WA7 6LJ | Good (2024) |
| 10 | Vicarage Lodge Preschool Community Playgroup Full day care · 28 places · WA7 4PS | Good (2024) |
| 11 | All Saints Pre-School Runcorn Sessional day care · 33 places · WA7 1LD | Good (2024) |
| 12 | Palacefields Daycare Centre Full day care · 30 places · WA7 2QW | Good (2024) |
| 13 | Weston Point Preschool Sessional day care · 34 places · WA7 4EQ | Good (2023) |
| 14 | Hillview Under Five's Pre-School Playgroup Sessional day care · 22 places · WA7 3HB | Good (2023) |
| 15 | Heathside Day Nursery Full day care · 41 places · WA7 4QR | Good (2023) |
| 16 | Early Learners Nursery (Runcorn) Full day care · 93 places · WA7 5TR | Good (2023) |
| 17 | Partou Little Manor Day Nursery & Pre-School Full day care · 56 places · WA7 1TE | Good (2023) |
| 18 | Acorn Community Nursery Full day care · 70 places · WA7 2JE | Good (2023) |
| 19 | The Park Day Nursery Full day care · 43 places · WA7 4SQ | Good (2023) |
| 20 | Brookvale Nursery Full day care · 73 places · WA7 6BJ | Good (2022) |
| 21 | Moore Village Pre-School Sessional day care · 30 places · WA4 6TZ | Good (2022) |
| 22 | Murdishaw West Pre-School Playgroup Sessional day care · 26 places · WA7 6EP | Good (2022) |
| 23 | Gorsewood Pre-School Playgroup Sessional day care · 28 places · WA7 6ES | Good (2022) |
| 24 | Play Away Day Nursery Full day care · 87 places · WA7 5PY | Not yet inspected |
How much does nursery cost in Runcorn?
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 Runcorn?
Of 24 nurseries and pre-schools in Runcorn, 2 have Ofsted's top results (Outstanding, or mostly strong or exceptional on the new report card). Listed first: Dunky's Day Nursery (Runcorn), JJ's Early Explorers Ltd, Beechwood Nursery & Pre-school Ltd.
How much does nursery cost in Runcorn?
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 Runcorn?
24 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools, 23 of them inspected so far.
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.