Pioneering Early Years Provision: Waterton Pre-Schools Expand to Tackle Childcare Shortages

Waterton Academy Trust is proud to be at the forefront of addressing the critical childcare shortage in areas of deprivation, in alignment with the UK Government’s commitment to create 100,000 new nursery places through the conversion of spare classrooms into school-based nurseries. Over the past four years, Waterton Pre-Schools have expanded rapidly to provide high-quality early years education and care to families, ensuring that children in some of the most disadvantaged communities receive the support they need for a strong start in life.
The journey began in September 2020 with the opening of our first pre-school at Wrenthorpe Academy, Wakefield. This pre-school quickly established itself as a beacon of excellence and received a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted in October 2022. Following this success, Waterton Academy Trust opened Cherry Blossom Pre-School in September 2022, based at Cherry Tree Academy, also rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted in 2023.
Continuing with the Trust’s expansion, in September 2023, two more pre-schools opened their doors—The Woodlands at West End Academy and The Meadow at Kings Meadow. All four settings now serve a combined total of over 200 children, offering year-round childcare with flexible hours to meet the diverse needs of families, including wraparound care for Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) pupils.
Becky Cook, Executive Headteacher of Waterton Pre-Schools, is an experienced early years specialist and has been instrumental in leading this expansion. Reflecting on the Trust’s commitment, Becky says, “Early childhood education is the foundation of lifelong success. Our pre-schools are built on the principles of nurturing environments, a high-quality and ambitious curriculum, and fostering strong partnerships with families from the very start. It is a privilege to serve these communities, and I am proud of the incredible impact our teams are making.”
CEO of Waterton Academy Trust, Dave Dickinson, echoes these sentiments: “The success of our pre-schools represents Waterton’s vision of ensuring that every child has access to an outstanding education. We are especially proud of the difference we are making in communities where access to quality early years provision has historically been limited. By addressing childcare shortages and providing enriching early years experiences, we are helping to bridge the gap for our youngest learners.”
All Waterton Pre-Schools are staffed by highly qualified and dedicated professionals, who are supported by an equitable pay system, opportunities for career progression, and access to comprehensive professional development. As a not-for-profit organisation, Waterton Academy Trust is committed to keeping fees affordable, while delivering outstanding early years education that meets both community needs and national standards.
With a growing waiting list and strong demand from local families, the Trust is actively working to expand further. Plans are in place to open additional settings in response to local need, particularly in areas where childcare provision remains limited.
For more information on Waterton Pre-Schools or to enquire about places, please contact us by emailing waterton.preschools@watertonacademytrust.org or visit the Waterton Pre-Schools Website






Other articles
News, information, and events - our article area is a collection of information from all our schools