Barrowford Preschool Nursery
OutstandingBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Nelson for children from birth to 8+, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in August 2025. Open since 1992, with 72 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Lancashire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Lancashire from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
BB9 8PUWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 12 August 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children thrive at this outstanding setting. Staff know each child extremely well and create a nurturing, thoughtfully planned environment that fosters curiosity and exploration. From the moment children arrive, they demonstrate high levels of independence and confidence and an eagerness to learn. For example, older children arrive excited to continue previous experiences, such as 'geocaching', independently initiating map-making and maintaining deep levels of concentration throughout their play. Children display consistently positive attitudes to learning and make excellent progress across all areas of development. They are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage in their education.
Leaders and staff have designed an ambitious, coherently sequenced curriculum that is expertly and consistently implemented across all age groups. Learning is seamlessly embedded within daily routines. For instance, staff skilfully use mealtimes as purposeful teaching opportunities across the setting. Babies are encouraged to feed themselves, promoting early independence. Older children benefit from high-quality adult interactions, where staff model ambitious vocabulary such as 'digestion' and 'fibre' while exploring food textures. These experiences deepen children's understanding of how different foods support a healthy lifestyle.
Staff have consistently high expectations for all children, and children rise to meet them. They work extremely well with others, showing exemplary social skills, emotional maturity and cooperation. Children take turns, share and support one another, demonstrating a strong sense of empathy and respect. Staff promote personal development exceptionally well, helping children to recognise and regulate their emotions. Children express their needs with confidence and build resilience in both their learning and relationships. As a result, children's behaviour is exemplary.
- 12 August 2025Outstanding Safeguarding: Yes
- 29 November 2019Outstanding
- 14 March 2014Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Barrowford Preschool Nursery
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.