University Of Central Lancashire Pre-School Centre
OutstandingBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Preston for children from birth to 8+, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in March 2023. Open since 2011, with 90 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 2HEWhat 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, 10 March 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
An incredibly warm welcome awaits children as they arrive at this vibrant and friendly nursery. Children have extremely close bonds with staff and happily wave their parents goodbye. Children are very confident in their interactions with staff, and they quickly become highly engaged in play. This demonstrates how safe and secure they feel. Children are highly motivated to explore the supremely wellorganised and enchanting environment. They are eager to learn and are fully aware of the routines and boundaries staff implement. Children of all ages thrive.
Staff have high expectations and are marvellous role models. Children are polite and use exemplary manners. For example, very young children say 'thank you'
when handed their bottles. Children play wonderfully together and are very respectful towards each other. Older children listen to their friend's ideas as they look at recipe books together. They excitedly plan what they would like to bake for a tea party. Staff provide lots of purposeful opportunities for children to develop a sense of responsibility. For example, children serve their own lunches and clear their own dishes. They learn about sustainability and caring for the environment as they help staff sort waste for recycling.
- 10 March 2023Outstanding
- 26 May 2017Outstanding
- 25 June 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for University Of Central Lancashire Pre-School 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.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.