Little Harwood Children's Centre
Outstanding★ 4.3 on GoogleBirth to 8+Open for decades
A pre-school in Blackburn for children from birth to 8+, open 08:00 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in October 2022. Open since 2006, with 100 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 Blackburn with Darwen
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Blackburn with Darwen 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
BB1 5PEWhat 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.
- 24 April 2023 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
Ofsted inspector, 12 October 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
The children arrive excited and keen to learn. They confidently explore the stimulating, inviting and safe nursery environment. Teaching of all children is excellent, with ambitious next steps based on the children's unique needs. All children thrive, regardless of their starting point. They have a positive view of learning, and this helps prepare them for their next stage, including school.
A broad range of activities builds on what children already know. For example, when reading 'Dear Zoo', staff extend learning and build on the children's curiosity by using a range of props and excellent questioning. Children are encouraged to think and share their ideas. They shake with excitement when listening to favourite stories. Children and staff also delight in singing, reciting rhymes and dancing together. This ensures that children learn to listen well and develop a love of books.
Children's communication and language development are prioritised. Staff speak clearly and use pictures to help children communicate. New vocabulary is introduced and reinforced. All children benefit from the very high expectations set, including children with English as an additional language. They make excellent progress and many already use language fluently.
- 12 October 2022Outstanding
- 18 November 2016Good
- 26 September 2012Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Little Harwood Children's Centre
- 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.