Our settings
Underwood Lane Nursery, Crewe
Ofsted rated Good – July 2024 · URN 2731858Read our Ofsted report
Our preschool setting for 2 to 4 year olds, open 7.30am to 6pm, 48 weeks a year including half terms. Underwood Lane has its very own inbuilt soft play frame for physical development, access to an outdoor play area, and an indoor sand pit and messy room where children create masterpieces of art and design. Children bring their own packed lunch and snacks, and we do not charge any top-up fees on funded hours — free childcare is really free here.
Why families choose Underwood Lane
Underwood Lane is our preschool nursery in Crewe for 2 to 4 year olds, open 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, 48 weeks a year including half terms and school holidays — built around families who want genuinely free funded childcare. Days are busy and physical: an inbuilt soft play frame for climbing and balancing, an outdoor play area, an indoor sand pit, and a dedicated messy room for painting, printing, dough and junk modelling. Because we never charge top-up fees on funded hours, a 15 or 30 hour place at Underwood Lane really does cost nothing.
- Open 48 weeks a year, including half terms, Monday to Friday, 7.30am – 6pm
- Funded 15 and 30 hour places available with no top-up fees
- Inbuilt soft play frame for physical development
- Access to outdoor play area
- Indoor sand pit and messy room for art and design
New for January 2027: places for 0 – 4 years, 7.30am – 6pm, 51 weeks a year — register your interest
Virtual showround of Underwood Lane
Can't make it in during the day? Take a filmed walk around Underwood Lane — watch the showround below, then come and see the real thing.
See photos of our nurseriesWhere to find Underwood Lane
Smart Start Childcare — Underwood LaneUnit 3, 1 Underwood Lane
Crewe, Cheshire East
CW1 3JX
01270 421451
Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 7.30am – 6.00pm · 48 weeks per year, including half terms
Read our Ofsted reportThe full inspection report for Underwood Lane on the Ofsted website — opens in a new tab.Looking for different hours? Stewart Street is our 48 week a year setting for babies to preschoolers — read about Stewart Street nursery in Crewe.
Our rooms
Toddlers
2 – 3 years
Messy play, early mark making, songs and stories, with a gentle focus on independence, self-care and toilet training.
Preschool
3 – 4 years
Phonics, early number, outdoor sessions and a structured school readiness programme in the summer term.
What to bring
A quick checklist to help your child feel comfortable and ready for the day.
Packed lunch and snacks
We do not provide meals or snacks, so please send a healthy packed lunch and morning/afternoon snacks.
Water bottle
A named, refillable water bottle for throughout the day.
Change of clothes
At least one full spare set, including underwear and socks.
Wellies and a coat
We play outside in all weathers, so waterproofs and warm layers are essential.
Nappies, wipes and cream
If your child is in nappies, please bring a labelled supply. We do not provide these.
Sun cream and hat
Please apply sun cream before arrival and send a named bottle and hat for sunny days.
Safe, happy and healthy at Underwood Lane
At the heart of everything we do is our commitment to ensuring every child is safe, happy and healthy. These core values underpin all aspects of our curriculum, our daily practice, and the relationships we build with children and their families.
Safe
A nurturing, secure environment where children feel protected and confident to explore.
Happy
Warmth, laughter and belonging — because happy children are confident learners.
Healthy
Nutritious food, daily outdoor play and strong support for wellbeing and independence.
A day with us
- 7.30 – 9.00Breakfast brought from home and free play
- 9.00 – 9.20Welcome circle, songs and plan for the day
- 9.20 – 10.00Outdoor play
- 10.00 – 11.00Adult-led activity
- 11.00 – 11.30Hand washing and story time
- 11.30 – 12.30Lunch and quiet time activities
- 12.30 – 13.30Adult-led activity and learning
- 13.30 – 15.00Free play, soft play and outdoor play
- 15.00 – 18.00Child-led learning indoors, snacks brought from home and collection by 6pm
Session fees
Correct as of August 2026. Children bring their own packed lunch and snacks.