Dowry House Nursery School
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A day nursery in Preston for children from birth to 5, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in December 2023. Open since 1993, with 26 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
PR5 6TEWhat 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 December 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children arrive confident, happy and eager to learn because staff create a welcoming and inviting environment. Children and their families are welcomed each day by staff, who make sure that essential information is shared with parents. For example, staff share information about activities that children will be doing at nursery. This enables parents to continue these activities at home, which contributes to consistency in children's learning. Children settle quickly and take part in the wide range of activities and learning experiences on offer. Staff plan and deliver a curriculum that is ambitious for all children. Staff plan precisely for children's next steps in their learning.
Children develop excellent relationships with their key person. They thoroughly enjoy small-group activities and one-to-one time with their key person, who understands their needs. Children respond well to staff's clear instructions and expectations. Children develop good levels of independence. Staff encourage them to choose to play inside or outdoors. Children learn to put on their coats and hats before going out to play. They are busy, cooperate and learn with their friends.
Children's behaviour is good. They take it in turns to navigate over tyres and crates, with help, praise and support from staff. Children play outside freely and enjoy the time to develop their large motor skills. For example, they run smiling in a large open space and play hopscotch with their friends. Children enjoy listening to stories. They share books with one another as they turn the pages and look at the pictures. Children also enjoy yoga, which instils a sense of calm. Children develop good posture and balance.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- develop the consistency of how staff enhance language opportunities when engaging and interacting with children, to fully support and extend each child's learning.
- 12 December 2023Good
- 19 February 2018Outstanding
- 5 August 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Dowry House Nursery 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.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.