Business Details
32 Years
experience
Trusted Childcare & Nursery Services in Greater Manchester
Founded in 1994 by Imelda and David Mihell, Tiddlywinks Nursery Group has grown from a small family-run nursery into a trusted provider of childcare across Greater Manchester. Our journey began in a converted farmhouse, where we prioritised creating a warm, nurturing environment that felt like a home away from home for children and families. Over three decades, we have expanded to operate seven nurseries and four Out of School Clubs, caring for over 950 children daily. Our team remains committed to delivering high-quality, child-centred care guided by the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, ensuring balanced development in a fun and supportive setting.We pride ourselves on maintaining the family-first principles that defined our origins while embracing innovation to meet evolving needs. Our efforts have been recognised with national awards, but our greatest achievement lies in the trust and strong relationships weve built with families. With a dedicated team of professionals, including finance, operations, and curriculum specialists, we continue to uphold the highest standards in early years care. Our passion for nurturing growth and providing a safe, stimulating environment remains at the heart of everything we do.
Services
Nursery Care
Out of School Clubs
Childcare App
Fees Management
Ofsted Reports
Details
- Year established: 1994
Highlights and features
- We have over 30 years of experience in early years childcare
- Our team provides a home-like nurturing environment
- We operate 7 nurseries across Greater Manchester
- Award-winning dedicated staff
- Transparent app for easy nursery selection and fees
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
What people say
Amazing staff and facilities
Supported when needed
Safe and happy environment
Services
Nursery Care
Our nursery care provides a warm, nurturing environment for children aged 05. Following the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, we focus on play-based learning, social development, and creativity. Each nursery offers tailored activities to meet individual needs, ensuring a balanced approach to education and care.
Out of School Clubs
Designed for children aged 511, our Out of School Clubs offer a safe, engaging space before and after school. Activities include homework support, arts and crafts, and outdoor play. We aim to extend learning beyond the classroom while providing flexibility for working parents across Greater Manchester.
Childcare App
The Tiddlywinks childcare app allows parents to browse nurseries, view fees, and apply for places seamlessly. It provides real-time updates on their childs progress and ensures transparency in billing and communication, streamlining the childcare experience for families seeking reliable options.
Fees Management
Our dedicated finance team manages monthly billing, sending electronic invoices with secure payment links. This system ensures clarity and convenience for parents, with fees structured to reflect the quality of care and resources provided across our nurseries and clubs.
Ofsted Reports
All nurseries adhere to Ofsted standards, with regular inspections ensuring compliance with childcare regulations. Our reports highlight consistent 'Outstanding' and 'Good' ratings, reflecting our commitment to maintaining the highest levels of safety, education, and child welfare across every location.
People
Imelda Mihell
Managing Director
Imelda founded Tiddlywinks in 1994, bringing decades of expertise in early years education. Her leadership focuses on creating nurturing environments that feel like home, ensuring every child receives personalised care rooted in family-first values.
David Mihell
Company Director
David co-founded Tiddlywinks with Imelda, contributing to its growth into a trusted childcare provider. He supports strategic operations, ensuring the business maintains its core values while expanding to meet community needs across Greater Manchester.
Ashley Mihell
Finance Director
Ashley oversees financial operations, introducing modern practices that support Tiddlywinks growth. Her expertise ensures fiscal stability while maintaining the family-led ethos that defines our approach to childcare and community engagement.
Ben Mihell
Finance Officer
Ben manages day-to-day financial processes, ensuring transparency and efficiency in billing and budgeting. His work supports the seamless operation of our nurseries, allowing teams to focus on delivering exceptional care without administrative distractions.
Claire Ryan
Early Years Operations Manager
Claire leads operational excellence across nurseries, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality care. With a background in early years education, she champions staff development and curriculum innovation to enhance learning outcomes for every child.
Questions
What areas do your nurseries cover?
We operate seven nurseries and four Out of School Clubs across Greater Manchester, including Bury, Manchester, Rochdale, and Higher Blackley.
How are fees managed?
Monthly fees are handled by our finance team, with electronic invoices sent directly to parents. Payment links ensure secure and timely transactions.
Are your nurseries Ofsted-registered?
Yes, all our nurseries are Ofsted-registered and regularly inspected, with most locations holding 'Outstanding' or 'Good' ratings.
Do you offer flexible childcare options?
We provide full-day nursery care and Out of School Clubs for before/after school hours, accommodating working parents’ schedules across Greater Manchester.
How can I apply for a nursery place?
Applications can be submitted through our childcare app, which allows parents to browse locations, view fees, and apply for places digitally.
Reviews (5)
Cole Taylor
Jul 27, 2021
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My daughter truly thrived in tiddlywinks, she loved every minute and created the most amazing bond with each staff member. Everyone greeted her with such kindness and I felt so confident taking her to nursery.… It was so wonderful to see my daughter playing and getting the pictures of her exploring made me feel so much more at ease, it really is one big family and I am so grateful to the staff thank you so much tiddlywinks ❤️😁
Laura Bowers
Dec 25, 2020
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I have not once had one bad thing to say about the ancoats nursery. They’ve been a home away from home for my daughter and I look forward to sending my son there. Danielle has given Tola the kind of care that goes above and beyond as her key worker and the rest of the staff truly care about her. It’s absolutely lovely and I cannot thank you all enough
Lian Renzulli
Sep 03, 2020
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From the bottom of my heart I can’t thank Tiddlywinks Nursery Group enough for everything you’ve done for Charlie over the past 12 months. He’s gained so much confidence and character and come on an absolute… treat. My only regret is that I wished I would have moved him a lot sooner from his previous setting. His nursery experience really started when he walked through your nursery doors. The staff have been absolutely amazing with Charlie and myself (hard work parent) he’s built so many lovely bonds with the staff and I know he’ll miss you all loads!💐
Chloe Dibben
Mar 07, 2020
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My daughter went here and will be going back soon she loves it. The staff are always happy to help and great to speak to always teaching my daughter new things, I think it’s a great place compared to where she went first I would never recommend anywhere else they are just great. This is the an coats nursery! Xx
Rachel Sarah Bergin
Dec 18, 2019
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I cannot thank all the staff enough at Tiddlywinks in bury. They have done a brilliant job with my daughter. She was a very shy little girl when she started, now she's a flamboyant, outgoing little girl and I couldn't be more proud of her. Again thank you so much to everyone. Can't believe she is leaving and going to a school nursery. 🤗
