Kensington Nursery
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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 May 2023. Open since 2022, with 50 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
PR1 0EEWhat 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, 18 May 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children eagerly enter this homely nursery and are welcomed by staff who motivate their learning. Babies watch staff blow bubbles, then have a go. Older children use dough to make 'cakes' for the staff. They carefully put them in the role play oven and then count the candles. Children paint their hands and then enjoy seeing the mark it makes on paper. Children are inquisitive learners and demonstrate high levels of engagement.
Children develop loving bonds with the professional staff team. Children who have not attended nursery for a while excitedly hug staff as they return. As children wake from a sleep, they are met with cuddles and reassurance. Nappy changing procedures are respectful. Staff considerately show children a nappy to prepare them for having their nappy changed soon. Children are supported to feel safe and relaxed.
Children follow the established routines and children of all ages are encouraged to be independent. Younger children find their own belongings and attempt to take off their own coats. Older children serve their own food and fill up their own water bottles. They show pride as they manage to put on their own socks and shoes independently. Children are confident in their own abilities and make good progress in all areas of their learning.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- monitor the effectiveness of staff's professional development to raise the quality of teaching and practice to the highest level.
- 18 May 2023Good
Still missing for Kensington 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.