The Arts Centre Nursery

Planting vegetables, exploring Liverpool’s places of worship and learning to pour a drink: the September 2022 picture of The Arts Centre Nursery was of learning rooted in practical experiences. Its setting is The Arts Centre on Myrtle Street, within Liverpool Community College. There is capacity for 47 children, with accepted ages from 5 to 60 months.

At its September 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective, while asking leaders to make staff supervision and teaching feedback more precise. That gives parents a positive dated assessment with a clear improvement point, rather than an unqualified endorsement of current practice.

The current opening window is 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, during term time, with school holidays closed.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children’s learning, development and care: everyday play, conversation and practical tasks support their growing skills. In September 2022, stories and singing gave children opportunities to use language, while staff talked through their play and demonstrated correct wording when children made mistakes. Learning was woven into interaction rather than confined to an adult-led activity.

Outdoor experiences in September 2022 included growing flowers and vegetables, carrying water to plants and experimenting with sand. Older children used crates for climbing and balancing, alongside a trampoline; babies practised rolling and movement on their tummies. These examples show different kinds of physical challenge, from whole-body coordination to the hand movements needed for later writing.

Liverpool itself also featured in the September 2022 nursery day. Visits to libraries, cathedrals and local places of worship introduced children to their city. Within the nursery, pretend refreshments became opportunities for imaginative play with friends. Children also learned about Onam, Easter and Eid through the important occasions in their peers’ lives. These were connected to the children attending, rather than a detached list of celebrations.

In September 2022, babies sought comfort from staff when tired, and children brought adults into their play and conversations. Staff gave additional attention to emotional development and helping children manage their behaviour following the pandemic. For a parent of a younger child, those observations matter because care involves responsive relationships as well as planned activities.

Communication with families in September 2022 included detailed accounts of children’s experiences and ideas for supporting play at home. Managers also worked with parents and community groups to choose resources that represented children’s cultures and heritage. This linked family knowledge to what children encountered during the day.

Mealtimes in September 2022 brought children together with friends and key persons, while snack preparation included cutting fruit and pouring water. The practical value was independence: children had opportunities to take part in ordinary routines themselves.

Later safety findings qualify that older inspection picture: Ofsted’s December 2025 outcome recorded a premises-security requirement failure that the provider had put right. Its April 2026 outcome recorded requirement failures concerning movement to the garden and effective safety training; the safeguarding and welfare action was subsequently confirmed met. The December changes included internal door locks, site-security training and escorts for parents and visitors; the March 2026 response included training and supervision on transition and risk-assessment procedures. These are dated outcomes, not a fresh overall inspection judgement.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is The Arts Centre, Liverpool Community College, 9 Myrtle Street, Liverpool, L7 7JA. Term-time opening runs from 8.30am to 5pm on weekdays. School-holiday closure is a substantial part of the attendance decision, especially for parents whose work continues throughout the year.

Getting There

The Arts Centre is in the Georgian Quarter, near Hope Street and next door to the University of Liverpool. Liverpool Central is a 12 minute walk; buses serving Hardman Street and Myrtle Street include the 86C, 80A, 86A, 80 and 86.

Funding and Paid Extras

In September 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated participation statement and should be read alongside the current term-time opening arrangement, rather than treated as a promise of a particular funded booking.

• Term-time attendance. The nursery closes for school holidays. Families needing childcare throughout the year should weigh that calendar against their working pattern.
• Teaching supervision. September 2022’s improvement point concerned sharper feedback and supervision for staff. At a visit, ask how leaders now identify teaching that needs support and follow up changes.
• Movement around the building. Safety procedures for reaching the garden were addressed in March 2026, and the resulting action was met. Ask staff to explain how children move between the nursery and outdoor areas and how those procedures are monitored.

The Arts Centre Nursery suits families seeking term-time childcare on Myrtle Street, especially those who value practical learning and experiences connected to Liverpool. The September 2022 examples offer substance: gardening, conversation, imaginative play and children taking part in snack routines. The decision needs to balance those strengths against holiday closure and the later, repeated premises-related safety findings. Their recorded outcomes matter, but they do not replace a current conversation about daily practice.