Beacon Nursery

25 College Street, St Helens WA10 1TF
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10 46 Reviews
  • Beacon Nursery, St Helens
Beacon Nursery is ideally situated in the centre of St Helens town, within the YMCA Beacon building in a purpose-built setting, just a short distance from the main shopping area.

The nursery has a 'Good' rating from Ofsted (August 2022).

The team is fully trained to a minimum of Level 3 and some staff members have higher levels, with the manager holding a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Young People's Services - Children and Young People's Advanced Practice (England). Practitioners have full Paediatric First Aid certificates and the nursery holds an award from the First Aid Industry Body to recognise its efforts in keeping your children safe.

The team is passionate about the safety and welfare of your children and encourage their differentiated exploration of the environment to challenge and extend their interest in learning, while preparing them for what comes next in their development.

At Beacon Nursery, they believe your children deserve the best start in life in a safe and nurturing environment. Learning is differentiated through three rooms, Ladybirds-babies, Caterpillars-toddlers and Butterflies-preschool, with an encouraged transition, fully enhanced for your child's next steps.

The Beacon Nursery has a key worker system, where you may share information to your specific child's adult or other members of staff or the managers. Information is always shared with the relevant person.

Due to the nature of the nursery timetable, the team ask (where possible) for you to call ahead to book a visit to ensure a member of staff will be available to show you around. You can also book a viewing directly from their website.

The team look forward to welcoming you.

Care Provided by Beacon Nursery

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Good to Know

  • Owner
  • YMCA St Helens
  • Person in charge
  • Ashley Cook (Nursery Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 17
  • Registered Charity Number
  • 517144
  • Total Places for Children
  • 80
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 2 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:30-17:45
    Tuesday 07:30-17:45
    Wednesday 07:30-17:45
    Thursday 07:30-17:45
    Friday 07:30-17:45
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays & 1 week at Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for Beacon Nursery

  • Morning: 0-2yrs - £32.55 / 3-5yrs - £30.45
    Afternoon: 0-2yrs - £31.50 / 3-5yrs - £29.40
    Full Day: 0-2yrs - £53.55 / 3-5yrs -£50.40
    Full time (Mon-Fri): 0-2yrs - £223.65 / 3-5yrs - £218.40
    Meals are £2.00 each (lunch and/or tea)
    Holiday Club (age 5-7yrs):
    Morning: £28.00
    Afternoon: £25.00
    Full Day: £40.00
    Meals £2.00 Dinner/Tea only


  • Morning, Afternoon or Full Day sessions available as well as 2, 3 and 4 year funded places. Other alternative sessions available too.
    Sessional Charges.


  • Parking
  • There is a car park at the rear of the building which is pay and display.


Total of 46, showing 21-40
10

Beacon Nursery has a Review Score of 10 (9.963) out of 10, based on 20 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Beacon Nursery has 46 reviews.

Overall Experience

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been coming to The Beacon Nursery since she was 13 months old, so started in the baby room, where she loved to play and learn new things. All the staff were so welcoming and made me feel secure in leaving my child with them. She came on loads - her speech and her social skills were excellent.
Then she went into the toddler room, where again she thrived; she started to use the potty and then onto the toilet. She made lots of new friends and formed a great relationship with her key worker. I loved to watch the bond she had with her. Now my daughter is in the preschool room and again forming great relationships. Learning letters and doing her phonics which she absolutely loves. It's nice to know my daughter and her key workers have been on this journey of nursery life together. I couldn't recommend this nursery enough.

Reply from Patricia Freckleton, Manager at Beacon Nursery

Hi Caroline, thank you for your review. We are so pleased that the service provided by myself and the team here has meant that you have seen great progress in your child. This is so lovely to hear. She is a bundle of joy and keeps us in our place and on our toes.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Happy so far with the service. The staff are kind. Queries are dealt with on time and in an efficient manner. My child is always excited to go to nursery. She says everyone is nice unlike in her previous nursery, where she was treated badly.

Reply from Patricia Freckleton, Manager at Beacon Nursery

Hello, thank you for reviewing our nursery. It was so lovely to have welcomed your child and the family to our setting after a none too positive experience. I hope you are encouraged by the amazing progress your child has made. I absolutely love the tales of our nursery and the day's events that you receive from your child.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I can't praise the staff at Beacon enough, my shy lockdown son started there just before his second birthday and has loved it from day one. The staff are all welcoming and caring, and you can see how much they love their jobs and the kids. They keep us up to date with his assessments and nurture his
interests.

Reply from Patricia Freckleton, Manager at Beacon Nursery

Hi there, thank you so much for your review of our day nursery. We make every effort to ensure you and your child receive a very personal and loving experience in your encounters with our staff and environment. Your child is a pure delight and has really made such good progress.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The Beacon Nursery offers us a warm and happy welcome every morning. My daughter loves attending here and has made some special relationships with staff and other children. The setting provided for the children allows them to explore lots of different areas and toys and allows them to use their imagination
inside and also when playing outside. They offer a wide variety of meals which my daughter loves and always finishes all meals. The staff are friendly and the relationships they make with the children are very personal which makes it feel like a second home for my daughter. She has come on so much since attending here and I would recommend The Beacon to everyone

Reply from Patricia Freckleton, Manager at Beacon Nursery

Hi, thank you so much for your review of our day nursery. It is wonderful to hear that your daughter has developed and enjoys her time when she is here. At the Beacon Nursery, we are not just about the child, but the whole family and you all form a unit from which we support, build a relationship with and welcome.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This is a brilliant nursery. My son has been going since the age of 9 months old and is 2.5 years old now. He loves going and he runs in with the biggest smile on his face as he cannot wait to see the staff and other children. It’s a very clean and safe place for the children to learn and play and all
the staff are very kind, caring and helpful. I’m very satisfied and couldn’t think of any other place I could send my little boy to.

Reply from Patricia Freckleton, Manager at Beacon Nursery

Hi Sarah, Thank you for your comments about our nursery. We are so pleased that you have such a positive outlook on the service provided by the team here. Your little bundle of joy is just the happiest when he bounds into nursery and we know all our children so well and how they react to all the experiences they receive.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I attended my child review and was greeted by the manager, whom I've met and spoken to on numerous occasions. Always polite, welcoming and helpful either in person or by email or phone and I always leave feeling happy and assured. The facilities are clean, well kept, safe and looks like good fun and
educational. The staff are very friendly and my little girl is always happy to be there. She really is developing well in all aspects: speech, recognition, emotionally, personality and others and always seems happy to be there. They use and update the parents' app every time she is in, which is reassuring as a parent and it's always good to see her having fun and develop when you aren't there. The updates let you know the important things such as what and if they are eating, sleeping, toilet habits and any landmark or positive moments. They are also quick to document and attend to any trips or falls with good care and cuddles. This is very reassuring for me as her dad. I would strongly recommend it.

Reply from Patricia Freckleton, Manager at Beacon Nursery

Hi Mike, thank you for your comments about our nursery. We always aim for high standards in all that we do as a team. My regards, Patricia.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff are very professional and helpful in giving information and support. The classes are always neat and the children get taught how to be independent. My little one has improved a lot since she joined the school. I would recommend the school to anyone who needs a safe place for their children
to learn, while having fun.

Reply from Patricia Freckleton, Manager at Beacon Nursery

Thank you so much for your comments about our nursery. Your child is such a happy bundle of joy. We pride our nursery practice on putting our children at the centre of all we do. My regards, Patricia.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

They have welcomed my daughter with open arms and helped her settle in. I am happy I receive details and I am kept up to date on my baby. The staff are outstanding and I recommend the nursery as the staff are polite and understanding.

Reply from Patricia Freckleton, Manager at Beacon Nursery

Thank you Gemma, I am so pleased you and your child have settled well into our nursery.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

After a bad experience in another setting, I found it really hard to put my trust in a nursery again. Especially for my son with special needs, who was really let down. The staff at The Beacon Nursery are nothing short of amazing. Nothing is ever too much, they have gone above and beyond for both of
my children and also been such a support to me. They facilitated a place for my son for an extra year as this was what I wanted for him until we could get a place in the right school. They really bent over backwards to ensure this happened. My son has an amazing 1/1 with whom he shares the most incredible bond with. Both of my children absolutely love attending nursery, they are always so happy and well cared for. I am so glad for my son especially, that he has experienced what a nursery should be like. His negative experience has been replaced with an amazing one and has paved the way for his education. I can’t thank or recommend this nursery enough, I only wish we would have found them sooner.

Reply from Patricia Freckleton, Manager at Beacon Nursery

Dear Katie, Your family are so very welcome. We only do what is best for the child and family here at the Beacon Nursery and we are overjoyed that you, as a family unit, have had such a positive experience with our support and care. Many thanks, Patricia and the team.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My 8-month-old daughter has just started this nursery at the beginning of May. Myself and her mum were very wary of how she might settle into nursery life as she is a lockdown baby and not used to seeing many people. But she has settled so well and is always happy going into and coming out of the nursery.
You can see already the bond she has with all the staff from the baby room. They are kind and caring and can see they are all passionate about their jobs. I love that I get notifications throughout the day from the nursery app letting me know what she has eaten and pictures of moments they have captured during the day. I'm glad I chose this nursery for my child as she is happy and content here already. I would highly recommend others to this nursery.

Reply from Patricia Freckleton, Manager at Beacon Nursery

Hi Paul, thank you so much for your kind words about our nursery. I am so pleased that your daughter and the family are happy with the services provided by the Beacon Nursery.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My children started here at the beginning of the pandemic, the manager and all the team went above and beyond for me and my children more than once. At a time of uncertainty and anxiety, my children were completely unaffected and settled in brilliantly. I was happy with their policies and procedures
to keep their setting Covid-secure, and believe they have been excellent in keeping my children safe.
I am so happy with the bonds they have made here, my daughter will be sad to leave, she has such an amazing day, every day and that's thanks to the fabulous staff here. Both of my children came on leaps and bounds in the time spent here and I would recommend this nursery to anyone and everyone!
We will miss you!

Reply from Patricia Freckleton, Manager at Beacon Nursery

Thank you for your review, Christy. It has been an absolute pleasure to have your children in our setting. Their resilience through the pandemic has been second to none and they are an absolute credit to you. We will miss you all, but wish you the very best for your new chapter.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The nursery is fantastic I really can’t fault it at all. The staff are brilliant and management always help with anything I ring up about. My son has come on so much since being here and my daughter will soon be joining. I couldn’t recommend this nursery enough.

Reply from Patricia Freckleton, Manager at Beacon Nursery

Thank you for reviewing the Beacon Nursery. Your little person is such a bubbly personality in the setting.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff at the nursery are all excellent within their roles. They are very good at answering any questions relating to my grandchild and any concerns I may have. My grandchild is always happy at nursery and I can check on his progress on the parent app. He is an only child so nursery is helping him
with social skills and building his confidence. I know I can telephone the staff with any questions and they will be answered. I am impressed with their website as it shows every member of staff and also the qualifications they have and their expertise within their roles. I would highly recommend this nursery as I am very happy with everyone I have come into contact with. The staff are adhering to all guidelines relating to Covid-19 and everyone entering the building has to wear a face mask.

Reply from Patricia Freckleton, Manager at Beacon Nursery

Thank you for your review. Your little bundle is such a joy and has a fantastic personality in the setting.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My four-year-old daughter has just left the nursery for school. She has been here since she was a baby and has loved every minute of being here. She has loved the friendly staff, they have put lots of love and attention into my daughter.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

The Beacon staff are amazing. My daughter loves going there. I will recommend this nursery to everyone!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been coming here since she was eight months old. She is now three and absolutely loves it. It's a fantastic nursery and the staff are fantastic. I would recommend the nursery to anyone.
My little boy will be starting when I go back to work also.

Reply from Emma Ireland at Beacon Nursery

Thank you for the kind review, we can't wait to look after baby.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Always greeted by a member of staff who is friendly when I drop my little boy off. He enjoys going to nursery and has come on so well since going, he interacts well and I feel it is due to the staff and their interaction with the children. The nursery is always clean and tidy and the food is always
freshly cooked.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both my children have attended this nursery from a young age and I have never had any worries or concerns about leaving them when I go to work.


It is a big relief knowing my boys are safe while I'm going to work. I would highly recommend The Beacon Nursery to friends and family and both my children

have been happy here. I will be sad when they have to leave.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I have no complaints from this nursery, the staff are really good with my child and very pleasant to us parents and my daughter loves going.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Fantastic nursery!!


My son started from 6 months old. He was a very particular little boy who was selective with who he went to, making me so nervous about going back to work after maternity.


He loves nursery. Walks in, sits himself down to breakfast and happily waves us goodbye. Dad called every

day for the first 9 months (he probably still does), but never did they discourage this. They have lots of focused activities. They have taught him so much over the last 11 months, he now teaches me some moves to the nursery rhymes and songs. He is well behaved, goes to bed easily, eats his food nicely and I know this stems from having the consistency that the nursery provides in his daily activities.


The nursery is always warm and clean. The equipment always looks brand new! Carpets are spotless! (Other nurseries I viewed were terrible). They provide a balanced diet, offering a wide and varied selection of food.


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Current Review Score: 10.0 (9.963)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (9.963) out of 10 for Beacon Nursery is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 20 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 20 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.963 for Beacon Nursery is calculated as follows: ( (231 Excellents x 5) + (9 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 240 Ratings = 4.963

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Beacon Nursery is based on 20 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • ii) 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 80 number of registered child places is 16, which has been reached with 20 Positive reviews. Points = 1

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

Please Contact Us for Latest Vacancies

Awards / Recognitions (1)

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Meet the Team (14)

Ashley

Ashley

Job Title: Nursery Manager, SENCO & Designated Safeguard Lead

Joined: 2008

I have worked in early-years childcare for 16 years. I am Level 3 childcare qualified and I have a Level 5 Certificate in Childcare Leadership and Management.


I am passionate about our children's progress, our staff and my role as Nursery Manager.


Lyndsey

Lyndsey

Job Title: Deputy Manager/SENCO

Joined: 1999

I am NVQ Level 3 Childcare qualified and have worked with early years for 25 years.


I love helping children flourish and grow. I like to help them succeed in their development as we plan and observe this.


Rebecca

Rebecca

Job Title: Room Supervisor

Joined: 2016

I am Level 3 childcare qualified and have been working with early years children for 8 years.
I love watching the children grow and develop, as well as getting to witness the many milestones the children achieve.


Lauren

Lauren

Job Title: Room Supervisor

Joined: 2016

I am Level 3 childcare qualified and have worked in this field for 7 years. I love to help children achieve their milestones and see how excited they get in different situations.


Jade

Jade

Job Title: Nursery Supervisor

Joined: 2014

I have worked with children for 10 years and I am Level 3 qualified. I also have a Level 4 Foundation Degree.
I love watching the children learn, grow and shine during their nursery years, before setting off to start new adventures in school reception classes.


Zoe

Zoe

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner

Joined: 2012

I have worked in childcare for 12 years with my Level 3 childcare qualification and I also have a Level 5 in Childcare Leadership & Management.
I enjoy watching children grow and develop throughout each room which they transition to in the nursery.


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Steph

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner

Joined: 2011

I have worked in childcare for 14 years and I am qualified with a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education.
I love watching the progress of children as they move through the rooms and how they grow in confidence and skills.


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Agnies

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner

Joined: 2015

I have worked in childcare for 8 years and I am Level 3 Qualified.


I enjoy helping children to discover the beautiful world around us.


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Chris

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner

Joined: 1998

I have worked in childcare for over 25 years and I am Level 4 childcare qualified.


I enjoy working with children and seeing them progress from babies through to preschool and seeing how much they grow from when they start to when they leave.


Vikky

Vikky

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner

Joined: 1993

I have been working in childcare for 30 years and I am qualified with Level 3 Childcare and Young People's Workforce and Level 2 Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. I have a passion to help children learn and grow in confidence.


Jess

Jess

Job Title: Nursery Apprentice

Joined: 2023

I entered the early year's workforce as a Level 2 apprentice. I love seeing children develop while helping them to learn new things. It makes me motivated in this childcare industry.


Charlotte

Charlotte

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner

Joined: 2003

I have been working in childcare for over 20 years and I am qualified in childcare to Level 3. I am motivated in working with children to help them achieve their goals.


Catherine

Catherine

Job Title: Nursery Assistant

Joined: 2016

I hold a NVQ level 2 in crèche and child development. I have worked in early years for 8 years. I enjoy supporting the children in their development through creating creative activities for the children to explore.


Ashlee

Ashlee

Job Title: Nursery Assistant

Joined: 2022

I joined the nursery as a level 3 apprentice and I love watching all the children grow and reach new milestones.