Portico at West End
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Ormskirk for children from birth to 8+, open 07:30 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in October 2022. Open since 2012, with 68 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
L39 1PAWhat 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, 25 October 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
The atmosphere is calm and purposeful at this welcoming nursery. Staff prioritise getting to know the children and their families right from the start. A wellestablished key-person system ensures children develop strong attachments with staff. Younger children seek cuddles from familiar adults for comfort and reassurance. They develop a sense of belonging from the family photos that are displayed in learning areas. Older children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure as they explore the inviting learning environment with confidence. Staff praise children for their efforts, which builds their self-esteem. Children behave well at this nursery. They share and take turns as they play together. Staff have high expectations and remind children to use 'kind hands'. Staff are good role models and encourage children to say 'please' and 'thank you' at snack time.
Younger children benefit from activities at different heights. This motivates them to crawl, stand and reach for the things they want to explore. They investigate a variety of sensory toys and thread shapes onto poles. This helps to develop their hand-to-eye coordination. Staff encourage older children to take safe risks as they roam freely in the secure forest area. Children hide behind trees and duck under branches as they explore. They shriek with delight as they climb up and run down the leaf-covered hill. Children develop core strength and balance as they leap across tree-stump stepping stones.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- ensure staff make the most of every opportunity to encourage older children to manage their own self-care so that they develop independence n continue to develop the outdoor learning area so that children receive the same quality of teaching and learning experiences that are provided for them indoors.
- 25 October 2022Good
- 24 November 2016Good
- 17 January 2013Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Portico at West End
- 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.