Kids Planet Ainsdale

3 Shore Road, Southport PR8 2RF
Review Us
10 34 Reviews
  • Kids Planet Ainsdale, Southport
Kids Planet Ainsdale nursery is set in a detached, home from home property, in the heart of Ainsdale. Benefitting from high ceilings and lots of natural daylight, children flourish in the care of the long-serving staff team. The nursery has a real family feel and having been established for over 20 years, the children really are at the heart of everything they do.

Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Nicola Critchley (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 15

Total Places for Children

  • 48

Age Range

  • from 0 years 3 months
  • to 4 years 11 months

Funding & Fees

  • Full day rate £67.80

  • Working parent funding available (15 and 30 hours). We accept fully funded places.
    Sibling discount, NHS discount, Tax Free Childcare.
    Rates vary by location/nursery setting.
    Please get in touch with the nursery for our most up to date fees and availability.

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:00-18:00
    Tuesday 08:00-18:00
    Wednesday 08:00-18:00
    Thursday 08:00-18:00
    Friday 08:00-18:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & Christmas
10

Kids Planet Ainsdale has a Review Score of 10 (9.950) out of 10, based on 22 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Kids Planet Ainsdale has 34 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
  • 34
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Reviewer Connection to Kids Planet Ainsdale
  • 31
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Total of 34, showing 21-34
Review from E M (Mother of Child) published on 18 June 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has attended this nursery for approximately 6 months, during which time he has improved immeasurably in his social skills, coordination and language development. The staff are wonderful, always happy to help with any queries and endlessly patient with both children and parents! We would highly
recommend this nursery to anyone looking for high-quality care for their child.
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Review from A F (Mother of Child) published on 18 June 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are extremely happy with the level of care provided at Kids Planet Ainsdale, the staff are so attentive and caring to the children, who look up to them and enjoy having them as part of their learning world. We trust them entirely and know that our children are well looked after in their care. They
work to the learning standards and constantly provide updates on their progression. Thanks for everything you do.
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Review from Megan T (Mother of Child) published on 30 January 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has attended this nursery since he was 8 months old and he is now 4 and preparing for school in September. Since starting, his confidence has soared and his social skills have developed fantastically, despite COVID lockdowns. The staff are incredibly nurturing, respectful and are excellent role
models. My son often talks about the staff and says how much fun he has. The rooms are well-resourced and children's interests are incorporated into the planning on a regular basis. My son also had a speech delay and nursery have worked closely with him to support his development and a recent speech and language assessment showed he had caught up, and exceeded, the expectations for his age. This is a direct impact of the support from staff at nursery. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable about children's development and are always able to answer any questions we have had. They have a fantastic menu which offers a wide variety of foods for the children to try. 100% recommend to parents.
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Review from Lauren S (Mother of Child) published on 27 January 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Recently my youngest child started at the nursery in the baby room. He has settled in very well and loves to be around both his friends and his key workers. The nursery keep me informed throughout the day about activities completed and this helps me to see how much fun my children are having! My daughter
has been in the nursery for the last three years and she has always been well looked after and respected by the team there. Thanks so much!
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Review from Megan M (Mother of Child) published on 16 January 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son started Kids Planet in April 2022. We were really nervous about him starting as we had never left him before. The staff, especially in toddler room, have gone above and beyond to reassure us on his safety, always providing us with updates on his well-being and also ensuring that our worries and
concerns are acknowledged. They made my son feel safe, and provide a homely setting to the children.
Since attending the nursery, my son's speech has developed also his social skills and how he interacts with other children have come a long way. He has become more confident in expressing himself and daily tells me and his father how he can't wait to go back. He will speak about his key work a lot and all the things they have done throughout the day.
My son also was a terrible eater before starting nursery, this was another concern for me but since attending my son now will try new foods and has learnt good table manners.
Overall I think the staff make the nursery outstanding - 5 stars!
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Review from Fran C (Mother of Child) published on 16 January 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Have had both our kids here over the past 6 years. Cannot fault. The staff are amazing - and literally like home from home. Both kids have wanted to go - felt cared for and have grown as people. What more could you ask for?
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Review from Ruth C (Mother of Child) published on 16 January 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Kids Planet Ainsdale is a brilliant nursery. The staff are amazing. They genuinely care about the children and the nursery has a warm, family feel.
In the last two years, the staff have made massive efforts to overhaul the facility. It's been totally redecorated and the room's toys and activity stations
have all been vastly improved.
Of biggest note are the efforts the room staff go to to make individual rooms better. Little touches make it more attractive to the children. Each room is filled with different areas to engage the children and when you go to collect children, the children are always engaged in an activity.
If you're reading this and contemplating sending your children here, I can wholly support Kids Planet. It's Superb!
I should also mention that it's cheaper than other nurseries and the new chef and menu add that extra star to their offer.
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Review from A O (Mother of Child) published on 13 December 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our little one has been going to Poppy and Jacks for over a year and we could not recommend it highly enough! The first and most important thing is the staff - they are amazing. They really do make it a home away from home. They are never in a rush when you collect and always take the time to really
tell you about your little ones' day. They send updates throughout the day so you can see what your little one is up to. It has recently been renovated and so the learning environment is lovely with great resources.
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Review from S B (Father of Child) published on 28 November 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff are the biggest asset and selling point of the nursery. They treat the children like one of their own. Activities are varied and stimulating. My child always has a smile on his face. Highly recommended.
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Review from Michelle C (Mother of Child) published on 22 November 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter is non-verbal, has sensory issues and is on the ASD pathway. I was really nervous about leaving her at nursery but Kids Planet have been amazing with her. She has lovely bonds with the staff, who stretch her and care for her in a way that has meant she's made lots of progress since starting
with them. Couldn't recommend highly enough!
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Review from Katherine G (Mother of Child) published on 22 November 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Kids Planet Ainsdale has provided a friendly, safe and secure environment for our child's nursery time. The staff are excellent, approachable and very helpful. The parent app is updated daily and it is lovely to see what activities have been done each day.
Overall, our child has settled in so well
and has progressed in their speech and social activities.
Brilliant nursery.
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Review from Anne-Marie W (Mother of Child) published on 14 October 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The team at Kids Planet Ainsdale are fantastic; there is a key cohort of staff members who have been working there for years and have nursery care as their lifelong profession and this shows in their interaction with the children as well as the many ways in which they care and create educational and
fun activities for them during their days. The setting is cosy and homely with lots of different toys for all ages and interests as well as a lovely outdoor space which is safe and perfect for outdoor adventures. My girls loved it here and really came along in their development thanks to the team.
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Review from Pauline C (Mother of Child) published on 27 September 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Kids Planet Ainsdale have created a secure and cheerful environment for our little girl. The staff work so hard creating learning opportunities and we are continually astounded by her development. We would recommend this nursery, with it's caring and creative staff in a heartbeat.
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Review from A M (Mother of Child) published on 8 August 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5
My son has been coming here for a couple of years. He didn't seem to enjoy the 2-3 room when he was there and would often say he didn't want to go in. He seemed a lot happier in the pre-school room and seems to have made some friends. I think staff have been good teachers and helped my son to be his
best and improve his condition. My only concern while my son has been at the nursery is that he has often come home with bruises on his knees and I haven't been informed how these have happened.
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Current Review Score: 10.0 (9.950)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (9.950) out of 10 for Kids Planet Ainsdale is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 22 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 22 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:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.950 for Kids Planet Ainsdale is calculated as follows: ( (251 Excellents x 5) + (9 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 262 Ratings = 4.95
  2. 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 Kids Planet Ainsdale is based on 22 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 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
    2. 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 48 number of registered child places is 9.6, which has been reached with 22 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. 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.

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Awards / Recognitions (9)

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Meet the Team (7)

Nicola

Nicola Critchley

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2004

I am a passionate, early years professional with over 25 years experience in childhood education.


I have worked at Kids Planet Ainsdale for over 20 years starting as practitioner, room leader then Third in charge before becoming Manager in April 2025.

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Sarah Wolfarth

Job Title: Deputy Manager Joined: 2004

I am the deputy manager, and room leader of the preschool and the SENCO. I have a professional status and BA Hons Education degree and a level 3 NNEB qualification in childcare. I have over 20 years experience of working with children 0-5 years old.

Charlotte

Charlotte Buckingham

Job Title: Level 3 Apprentice Joined: 2023

I am currently completing my level 3 apprenticeship.

Kira

Kira Hurst

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2024

I have recently a degree in integrated children's and young people's practice. I am looking forward to working towards my level 3 early years educator qualification.

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Natalie Mawdsley

Job Title: Level 3 Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2023

I have 10 years + experience working with children from 0-5 years.

Victoria

Victoria Jones

Job Title: Tots Room Leader Joined: 2007

I have worked at Kids Planet Ainsdale since 2007. I hold a level 3 qualification in childcare and education.

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Ellie-Lee Gracie

Job Title: Apprentice Joined: 2023

I am working towards a level 2 and level 3 qualification in early years.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Kids Planet Ainsdale to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Kids Planet Ainsdale has an Enhanced Service - more info.