Tower College Nursery Review

Three buildings, rooms organised by age and a day extending into the early evening give Tower Tots its practical character. This is Tower College’s nursery on the school campus in Rainhill, welcoming children from 3 months to 4 years, with capacity for 115 full-time places. It provides childcare across 50 weeks of the year, rather than following the school’s term calendar.

The inspection position needs equal prominence. At the ISI inspection of 16 to 18 April 2024, the registered nursery provision was judged inadequate overall, with good education and behaviour but inadequate personal development and leadership. Safeguarding was ineffective. Those judgements concern the registered early years setting, and make care arrangements a central consideration for families.

Children’s interests shape the learning. Tower Tots follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), using Development Matters alongside it to plan and assess development. For parents, the emphasis is on learning to communicate, move confidently, handle feelings and build relationships through play and everyday interactions.

In-the-moment planning means an adult notices an interest, adds a question or resource, then records the learning afterwards. Construction materials, books, spaces for sensory exploration and mark-making give children different ways to pursue an idea. Dressing up, stories, dancing and tasting food connect that play with language and experiences beyond the nursery.

Age groups have their own rooms across the buildings. This lets activities change as children develop. In April 2024, children explored bird facts through books and made nests from assorted materials, extending vocabulary through practical discovery. Younger children practised climbing steps and using a slide, building balance and control.

Outdoor activity adds another dimension. The April 2024 findings describe walks for younger children, forest school experiences for older children and visits to the train station. However, waits before eating and handwashing were too long, leaving children restless. The recommendation was to improve these changes between activities so that less of the day was spent waiting.

A key person supports play and exploration. Before children start, staff gather information from parents to help them settle; this gives families a way to explain interests and familiar habits. Learning is also documented through online journals, photographs and room displays.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the April 2024 findings describe advice from external agencies and sensory activities that helped children participate. The school’s SEND policy assigns coordination to the SENCO and requires parents to be informed when additional educational provision is arranged.

Meals and essential supplies are included in Tower Tots’ fees: breakfast, a morning snack, lunch and tea, alongside milk, wipes and nappies. Visiting Spanish teaching is also included where appropriate to the age group.

Mealtime safety and premises. In April 2024, some toddlers moved around while eating, beyond staff observation, creating a choking hazard. Some rooms also became excessively hot, exposing children to overheating. Required actions covered supervision during meals, safe premises and notifying Ofsted of relevant changes. Families should seek evidence of how these specific risks have been addressed before choosing a place.

Healthy eating also needed attention. Alternative foods agreed with some parents were less healthy, and the recommendation was to explain expectations more clearly from the start.

Attending Tower Tots does not guarantee a Reception place at Tower College. Families must apply separately for Reception through the school’s admissions process; the Register Your Child form includes Reception applications. Treat that application as a distinct decision from booking nursery care.

Transition support is a separate matter. For pupils with SEND, the school’s policy provides opportunities to explore new classrooms and routines. Children who find change difficult can take home booklets showing the classroom and staff, helping make the next stage more familiar.

Opening hours are 07:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, with bank holiday closures. Nursery charges are calculated annually, allowing for planned closures, and divided into twelve equal payments. Payment is due in advance by the first of each month. Contact Tower Tots for current charges.

Eligible families can use Free Early Education Entitlement (FEEE). The nursery’s funding information includes 30 term-time hours a week from 9 months of age, subject to eligibility. Tax-Free Childcare and childcare vouchers are accepted too; funded hours and the longer nursery opening year should be considered together when planning attendance.

For availability or a visit, email towertots@towercollege.com or telephone 0151 289 2674.