Busy Bodies Pre-school
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Melling, Carnforth for children from birth to 5, open sessions in term time, often mornings. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in July 2022. Open since 2004, with 16 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
LA6 2REWhat 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, 5 July 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children's laughter can be heard in abundance at this happy and nurturing setting.
Children greet visitors with a smile as they arrive and are keen to explore the activities on offer. Children have formed loving bonds with the adults who care for them, they enjoy playing alongside them and are proud to share their learning experiences. For example, children enthusiastically shout 'Look what I made' as the adults run with them to share in their excitement at their achievements. Children feel secure and safe.
The wide range of experiences on offer at this setting supports children's developing understanding of the world around them. Children excitedly recall their recent trip to the seaside and talk about it being their first experience of travelling on a bus and a train. They are brimming with excitement as they describe the ice cream they tried and the precious stones they found on the beach. Children spend a large proportion of their day outside exploring with natural resources. They mix petals with water and whisper 'It's magic' as they stare open mouthed in amazement when the water and petals change colour. Children are developing positive attitudes to learning.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- strengthen the quality of teaching by consistently checking children's understanding and building on what they know and can do.
- 5 July 2022Good
- 13 September 2016Good
- 12 November 2012Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Busy Bodies Pre-school
- 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.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.