# Birdwell Playgroup

Birdwell Playgroup is a sessional pre-school at Birdwell J&I School, Sheffield Road, Birdwell, Barnsley, S70 5XB, in Birdwell, Barnsley. It is registered for 36 children. Ofsted rated it Outstanding at its inspection in December 2023, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

Page: https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/birdwell-playgroup-302823  
Last checked 30 June 2026.

## At a glance

- Type: Sessional pre-school
- Address: Birdwell J&I School, Sheffield Road, Birdwell, Barnsley, S70 5XB
- Registered places: 36
- Ofsted URN: 302823

## Ofsted and official records

Ofsted rated it Outstanding at its inspection on 11 December 2023, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

- Quality of education: Outstanding
- Behaviour and attitudes: Outstanding
- Personal development: Outstanding
- Leadership and management: Outstanding

Safeguarding effective.

Report: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/302823

Official records:

- Ofsted registration: Registered since March 1993 (Reference 302823). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/302823)
- Inspections on record: 1 inspection (latest 11 December 2023). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/302823)
- Registered places: 36 places (the most children it may care for at once). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/302823)
- Food hygiene rating: 5 (Very good) (inspected 21 May 2026). Source: Food Standards Agency, checked 13 November 2026 (https://ratings.food.gov.uk/business/398251)

## Fees

Fees, hours and ages: not published yet.

## Hours and ages

Opening hours and ages: not published yet.

## Getting there

Address: Birdwell J&I School, Sheffield Road, Birdwell, Barnsley, S70 5XB

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=53.509703,-1.480217

- 8 bus stops within 400 m
- Playground: Playground, 0.2 miles

NaPTAN, Department for Transport, checked 13 November 2026 · © OpenStreetMap contributors, checked 13 November 2026.

## Places and next steps

Spaces: not published yet.

In Barnsley there are about 3.9 children under 5 for every registered nursery place. Places are how many children nurseries may care for, not free spaces. Source: ONS Census 2021.

When to apply: https://toddly.co.uk/when-to-apply-for-nursery

## Ratings


## Nearby schools

Distances are in a straight line.

| School | Phase | Ages | Ofsted | Nursery class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birdwell Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | Report card (January 2026) |  | under 0.1 miles |
| Tankersley St Peter's CofE (Aided) Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | School remains Good (July 2023) | yes | 0.8 miles |
| Hoyland Common Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | Good (July 2022) | yes | 1.0 miles |
| West Meadows Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | Report card (January 2026) | yes | 1.2 miles |
| St Helen's Catholic Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | School remains Good (May 2023) | yes | 1.6 miles |
| Hoyland Springwood Primary School | Primary | 5–11 | School remains Good (October 2023) |  | 1.7 miles |
| Ward Green Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | Quality of education: Good; Behaviour and attitudes: Good; Personal development: Outstanding; Leadership and management: Good (September 2024) | yes | 1.7 miles |
| The Mill Academy | Primary | 3–11 | School remains Good (October 2022) | yes | 1.7 miles |

## Nearby nurseries

| Nursery | Ofsted | Day fee from | Hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Fenwood House Day Nursery Birdwell](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/fenwood-house-day-nursery-birdwell-2790533) |  |  |  | 0.4 miles |
| [Chatterbox Children's Academy](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/chatterbox-childrens-academy-2511280) | Good |  |  | 0.6 miles |
| [Growing Wild Outdoor Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/growing-wild-outdoor-nursery-2535612) | Good |  |  | 1.3 miles |
| [Little Explorers Community Nursery Blackerhill](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/little-explorers-community-nursery-blackerhill-2790772) | Outstanding |  |  | 1.5 miles |
| [Little Acorns Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/little-acorns-nursery-302875) | Good |  |  | 1.7 miles |
| [Rainbow Day Care Hoyland](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/rainbow-day-care-hoyland-ey552322) | Good |  |  | 1.7 miles |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is Birdwell Playgroup's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted rated Birdwell Playgroup Outstanding at its inspection on 11 December 2023, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

### How many children can Birdwell Playgroup take?

Birdwell Playgroup is registered with Ofsted for up to 36 children at any one time.

## Sources

- Registration and inspections: Ofsted, as of 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/302823)
- Schools: DfE Get Information about Schools, as of 4 November 2026 (https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/)

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.