The Rainbow Nursery
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Preston 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 2023. Open since 2015, with 43 places.
What it costs
Prices change without notice. Treat these as what to ask about, not a quote.
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
PR2 6TUWhat 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.
- 16 October 2025 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
Ofsted inspector, 12 October 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
The ambitious curriculum devised by leaders helps to ensure that children receive a good quality of education. All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress from their starting points.
They develop many of the key skills needed for the future and learning at school.
Children are expressive and creative learners. They particularly enjoy pretend play which staff facilitate to build on what they already know and can do. For example, children take on the role of a doctor. Staff provide resources such as a stethoscope, and children considerately take care of others. Staff introduce some rich vocabulary, including the words 'pharmacy' and 'medication', as children eagerly listen to hear their heart beating.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: - provide staff with more personalised training and incisive feedback to enhance practice to a consistently high level n help staff to focus more precisely on what leaders intend children to learn, particularly regarding their communication and language development.
- 12 October 2023Good
- 31 July 2018Good
- 16 February 2017Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for The Rainbow Nursery
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- 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.