Top tips for making the most of your nursery visit
We've compiled a list of popular questions families ask at nursery visits to help you when deciding which nursery to choose for your child's early years education.
Why choose Partou Playaway Day Nursery & Pre-School in Harrogate?
Nestled just off Skipton Road, close to Harrogate town centre and the hospital, Playaway is easy for families to reach, with simple transport links that help everyday life run more smoothly. However, what draws families here, and keeps them, goes far beyond convenience.
Our nursery is calm and inviting. Bright, spacious rooms filled with natural light create an environment where children are encouraged to grow in confidence, independence and curiosity through play and meaningful experiences. Our outdoor area gives children room to really move, with space to run, climb and dig, and regular gardening activities that connect them to the seasons throughout the year. Whether it’s outdoor mark-making on a dry afternoon or noticing how water changes colour when flowers are added to a jug, the environment at Playaway is designed to spark curiosity rather than contain it.
Families who have been part of Partou Playaway for years describe it as a second home, and it’s easy to understand why. We have a highly qualified and long-standing nursery team who value strong relationships between the nursery, families and children as we know that when we all work together, children are supported to flourish. Some of our team have been with the nursery for over 20 years which brings a sense of continuity and warmth that children feel quickly, and that families carry with them long after their children have moved on to school. Our team includes a Level 6 practitioner and other team members who are passionate about providing the very best care and early years learning opportunities. This is reflected in the reviews we receive which highlight that the Partou Playaway team are invested not just in children’s development, but in who they are and how they can support children as they grow.
Communication is consistently highlighted as a strength by families at Partou Playaway, whether this is updates on your child’s day via the app or thorough and meaningful handovers at collection time. This gives families the clarity they need about their child’s time at nursery and helps everyone work together, so the rest of the day feels calm, connected, and supported.
Mealtimes are thoughtfully planned, with varied and nutritious nursery menus that families notice and appreciate, and children are supported to grow in independence as they develop, from using a spoon as a baby to pouring their own water in the pre-school room.
Weekly Sing and Sign sessions bring an extra dimension to communication and language development, supporting children in expressing themselves with growing confidence from a very young age. This focus on language runs throughout the nursery, with staff who narrate play, encourage conversation and use stories, songs and rhymes to build early years vocabulary and communication skills across every age group.
Regular stay and play events invite families into the nursery to spend time with their children, meet other families, and feel genuinely part of our nursery community. Children and families alike develop a real sense of belonging here, which shines through our reviews.
If you’re looking for a nursery in Harrogate where your child will feel safe, happy and valued and are encouraged to grow at their own pace, we’d love to show you why Partou Playaway is a great fit for your family.
Facilities
Bright, spacious and well resourced playrooms which provide a ‘home from home’ atmosphere
Great parent partnerships with an online learning journal which allows you to track your child’s progress from home
Healthy and delicious meals from our seasonal menu, freshly prepared at the nursery
Exciting outdoor environments designed for children to develop their physical and social skills
Highly qualified childcare practitioners with safeguarding and first aid training
Funded Childcare Places Available
Nursery fees
| Full-day (2 sessions) |
Weekly rate | Early drop off session | Morning session | Afternoon session | |
| Session time | 8.00am-6.00pm | 8.00am-6.00pm daily | 7.00am-8.00am | 8.00am-1.00pm | 1.00pm-6.00pm |
| Care | £54.50 | £245.25 | £7.95 | £32.70 | £32.70 |
| Meals & snacks | £9.00 | £45.00 | £4.65 | £4.35 | |
| Consumables | £3.00 | £15.00 | £1.55 | £1.45 | |
| Total | £66.50 | £305.25 | £38.90 | £38.50 |
Upon registration, you will be asked to pay a £75 registration fee (non-refundable) or a £75 registration deposit to reserve your child’s nursery place (see terms and conditions for eligibility).
What’s included in our fees?
Our full fees are clearly broken down into care, meals & snacks and consumables fees for full transparency.
Care fees include: trained, qualified team members taking care of your child, regular updates about your child and their progress at nursery, a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities tailored to the needs of your child, and use of the nursery building facilities.
Meals & snacks fees cover the cost of all food and drinks whilst your child is in our care. Meal and snack times are a very important part of Partou nursery life, learn more about how we make food and nutrition enjoyable and educational for children in our care.
Consumables include; important daily care items needed such as nappies, wet wipes and sun cream.
Discounts
Only one discount can be applied at any time:
- 5% discount for eldest child for siblings.
- 5% discount for Blue Light Card holders.
Other key information
- We’re closed on Bank Holidays.
- We close at 4pm on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.
- Charges apply across 52 weeks of the year, including Bank Holidays.
Funded childcare
Partou Playaway Day Nursery & Pre-School is proud to offer funded childcare places
Funded childcare is a government incentive fulfilled by Local Authorities which aims to provide financial support for eligible families accessing childcare at an OFSTED registered setting. Partou Playaway Day Nursery & Pre-School work with North Yorkshire Local Authority to apply childcare funding for eligible families.
Funding typically covers 15 or 30 hours per week for the 38 term weeks of the year across a maximum of 10 hours a day which will be applied in different ways depending how many weeks of the year your child is in childcare:
- Children who are in year-round childcare will receive “stretched” funding. This means that their 15/30 hours over 38 weeks will be stretched over 52 weeks of the year so children accessing year round childcare at Partou Playaway will receive 10.96/21.92 hours of funded childcare per week.
- Children who have term-time only childcare places will receive 15/30 hours funding per week over 38 weeks of the year. Term-time only places are limited and are subject to availability.
Government funding for childcare only applies to the care fee (as described above). Meals & snacks and consumables fees are fully chargeable for all sessions including funded.
Many families are eligible for government funded childcare, see our childcare funding guide for more information.
Term duration and dates
The 2025/2026 terms dates set by North Yorkshire for Partou Playaway Day Nursery & Pre-School are below so you can see which term dates funding is applicable for:
|
|
Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term |
| Term Duration | 14 Weeks | 11 Weeks | 13 Weeks |
| 1st Half Term Dates | 8th Sept – 24th Oct | 5th Jan – 13th Feb | 13th April – 22nd May |
| 2nd Half Term Dates | 3rd Nov – 19th Dec | 23rd Feb – 27th March | 1st June – 17th July |
Please note that when you access funding in the term can impact the hours you are eligible for within that term period.
Our team will be able to assist you with any funding and term questions you may have.
)
Playaway
Day Nursery
& Pre-school
01423 566696
Mon - Fri, 7.00am to 6.00pm (excl. bank holidays)
34 Devonshire Place, Harrogate, HG1 4AD
View on map
What do families say about Partou Playaway Day Nursery & Pre-School in Harrogate?
Overall rating
84%
16%
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Gillian L
08 May 2026
Our 3 year old has been attending Playaway since she was a baby and we have had nothing but pleasant experiences. The team are all lovely, attentive and so engaged with our little one, enabling her to explore her own identity and thrive in her Pre-school environment. She loves going there and we are ...
Grace K
06 May 2026
We love Playaway nursery for our son, who started at 8 months. The support and care shown by the babies team never failed to make me feel reassured that my son was safe. The staff are excellent and genuinely invested in the development of the little ones. I cannot fault their kindness and enthusiasti...
Brad K
25 March 2026
My little boy started nursery in the baby room in January, he has settled in so well and is always so happy to go in. He seems to off made good bonds with staff and is always happy at pick up time. I am regularly updated through out the day of what he has eaten, slept and pictures of what he has been...
Liss J
19 March 2026
Writing this brings so many emotions to mind, because Play Away Day Nursery truly feels like a second home to me. It's where both of my children have spent such an important part of their early lives. Seeing my little one smile at every member of staff reassures me every day that she is in safe, car...
N M
13 March 2026
Throughout their time at Play Away, both of our children have thoroughly enjoyed themselves and as parents we feel they have been given every opportunity to develop and thrive. The care and attention given by all of the staff is clear to see and made us feel very reassured that our children were we...
L M
16 February 2026
The girls at Playaway are amazing! Nothing is too much trouble and I always know my daughter is in safe hands. She has made close bonds with the ladies and have no problems when it comes to handovers. They stick to her home routine and this really helps!
M P
09 April 2025
A fantastic nursery that welcomed my kids with open arms when we moved them here from a different setting. My kids got settled in very quickly and the girls were great with them both from day one. My daughter has now left for school but has lovely memories from her time at PlayAway. My son goes in an...
C N
20 March 2025
My son loves it at PlayAway! There are 2 specific staff that he seems to have really taken to but overall they are all lovely & professional. The food seems varied & nice, my son seems to like most of it. The outdoor area is lovely & right next to the stray, it will be fantastic when they can get...
Myles G
20 March 2025
Brilliant nursery! My son loves it in babies, the staff are all amazing just as they were when my daughter spent 4 years there. I would recommend it to anyone who is currently looking. As a parent you want to feel that your child is safe and cared for when you leave them and playaways staff have far ...
Paige J
15 February 2024
My daughter absolutely loves going to PlayAway. The staff are lovely and very helpful. She always leaves with a smile on her face. My daughter has come along so much with going to PlayAway.
L W
28 April 2023
My little boy absolutely loves coming to Playaway. Myself and my husband are really happy with how he is looked after, taught lots of new things and fed so well! They really love and care for him! Thanks so much!
Amanda E
26 April 2023
My daughter has been going to play away for just over a year she started in Toddlers and has since moved into Preschool, I was apprehensive at first when she moved up but two staff members are just amazing, they made both myself and my daughter feel at ease and she’s thriving more and more everyday...
Sheela S
26 April 2023
My little boy (21 months old) is such a picky eater and shy at home. I was very reluctant to send him to any nursery as he doesn’t eat properly and relies on formula. I checked lots of nurseries around my home and work. I like PlayAway's homely environment so I decided to send him for a trial... ju...
S C
09 March 2023
The staff at the nursery are all lovely and I feel my son has come along so well even in the short time he has been there. All the staff that take care of him in the baby area have been amazing with him, I know I have nothing to worry about when I leave him with them to go to work and the best part i...
Jenny F
07 March 2023
A brilliant nursery that helps build on our daughter's excitement to learn new skills, enjoy the outdoors, learn to build friendships and develop key skills such as kindness, compassion, empathy and understanding. The staff are all brilliant and very caring and focused on every child. Always great in...
Why Partou?
For us at Partou, childcare isn’t just a job, it’s a journey – one where every child leads us in a unique new direction.
As part of the Netherlands’ largest childcare group, we’ve access to world-leading expertise in learning and development, so you can be confident your child will benefit from an experience as unique as they are.
Of course, care is as much about empathy as education, and ours is a child-led approach that emphasises building confidence and curiosity – so that every child in our care has the freedom to flourish.
Reassurance for you and your little one
Care
We’re more than just a team; we’re a close community driven by our passion for childcare, and our commitment to each individual child’s development. We know that by working together, we’re stronger.
Compassion
In our community, compassion isn’t just a word; it’s our way of life. By embracing our differences, we make our community more diverse and vibrant. We build strong, supportive relationships with the children and each other, based on trust and understanding.
Continuous learning
We believe strongly in development, for the children in our care and for ourselves. Through continuous learning, we help our team and our children reach their full potential. Together, we make a positive impact, in our communities and across wider society.
Helpful information for your nursery search
Understanding the Ofsted inspection changes
Ofsted are making important changes to the way that they inspect and rate children's services and childcare settings; learn what these are and what they mean for families.
Working Family Childcare Funding Explained
From 1st September, more families than ever will be eligible for the government’s expanded “30 hours free childcare” scheme. Our guide explains what working family childcare funding is, who qualifies, how it’s applied, and the steps you need to take to claim it. Whether you need term-time ...