Opening hours
Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and for one week at Christmas. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm.
Charnwood Nursery and Pre-School
Ofsted: Outstanding
(Aug 2022)
Number of places
114 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Aug 2022
Local authority
Leicestershire
About this day nursery
Charnwood Nursery and Pre-School, established in 2008, operates year-round from Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, closing only for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. This outstanding-rated setting provides childcare for children aged 0-4 years, where they quickly settle and are exceptionally happy.
The dedicated staff, chosen for their high expectations and positive role modelling, foster respectful, nurturing, and loving relationships, ensuring children feel secure and at ease. The nursery places a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, with a robust forest school programme where children, particularly pre-schoolers, enthusiastically learn perseverance by engaging in activities like lighting fires.
This love of outdoor exploration is complemented by a rich literary environment, with books thoughtfully placed everywhere, even in the garden and forest school. Managers are experienced and passionate, with a clear vision for the curriculum, ensuring expertly sequenced learning delivered by skilled and enthusiastic staff.
This approach means children make excellent progress, developing independence and vital life skills. Children who speak English as an additional language receive tailored support.
Staff expertly adapt activities to individual interests to introduce new words and phrases, promoting rapid development in English communication. The nursery also works closely with parents, offering workshops and encouraging participation in reading programmes to further support children's learning and development, preparing them exceptionally well for school.
What it's like
Children really enjoy attending this fantastic setting. They are extremely happy and settle very quickly. Staff have very high expectations of children and are positive role models for them.
Fantastic settingOutstanding provisionExceptional progressStrong forest school focusLove of readingExpertly sequenced learning
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
Key facts
Term time / All Year
All Year
Established
2008
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Charnwood Nursery and Pre-School
Last inspected 23 August 2022 · Vanessa Cuthbert
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
What it's like to attend
Children really enjoy attending this fantastic setting. They are extremely happy and settle very quickly. Staff have very high expectations of children and are positive role models for them.
Inspector highlights
- Managers are extremely passionate and experienced and have an informed and clear vision of their curriculum.
- Learning is expertly sequenced and consistently delivered by highly enthusiastic and skilled staff.
- All children explore books from a young age, and staff promote a love of reading by placing books everywhere.
- Staff artfully model a wide range of words and sentences to extend and build on children's vocabulary and communication skills.
- Staff know their key children very well and value their home experiences, meticulously planning activities and new experiences for every child.
Inspection #10138575 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
Outdoor space
Pre-school children persevere as they try to light a fire outside in the forest-school classroom. Children really enjoy learning outside due to the strong focus on forest school throughout the setting. Staff promote a love of reading by placing books everywhere, including the garden and forest-school area.
EAL / language support
Staff are devoted to ensuring children who speak English as an additional language develop their communication in English. They expertly tailor activities to children's interests to introduce new words and phrases. These children also develop their use of the English language rapidly.
Parent Reviews of Charnwood Nursery and Pre-School
4.9
(93)
Rajiv Pancholi
4 months ago
Charnwood Nursery and Preschool on Lonsdale Road, Thurmaston has been absolutely wonderful for our family. My daughter has been attending since she was just 10 months old and the care and support she has received throughout have been outstanding. The staff are warm, attentive and genuinely care about each child’s wellbeing and development. The nursery provides a safe, welcoming, and stimulating environment, with excellent communication and regular updates for parents. It’s been lovely to see how confident and happy my daughter is there. We feel completely reassured leaving her in such capable hands and would highly recommend Charnwood Nursery to other parents.
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Aisha Mussa
4 months ago
My daughter has been attending since she was 13 months old and my son will be joining too. The setting offers so many opportunities for children to play, learn, and grow. They go on regular trips and walks, including visits to the local library, which my daughter absolutely loves. They previously offered swimming, and they still provide on-site and off-site forest school, which is a big favourite for my daughter. The meals are healthy and nutritious, and the staff create a warm, caring environment. My daughter loves attending and is always excited to go. I highly recommend them to any parent looking for a nurturing and fun place for their children.
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Minal Surani
5 months ago
Charnwood Nursery and PreSchool is absolutely fantastic! The staff are incredibly caring and attentive, and it’s clear that they genuinely love what they do. It is very reassuring to see how well the staff know each child as an individual. Our little one has made great progress both socially and academically since joining, coming home every day excited to share something new. Communication with parents is excellent, and we always feel informed and involved. We couldn’t be happier with our experience, and we’re so grateful to have found such a wonderful nursery. We highly recommend CNP to any parent looking for a safe, enriching, and supportive environment for their little one!
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Ankita
5 months ago
I cannot recommend Charnwood Nursery and Preschool Thurmaston highly enough. The staff are incredibly caring, patient, and attentive — they truly treat every child as an individual. My child has grown in confidence, communication, and curiosity since joining. The daily updates, warm welcomes, and genuine passion from the team make such a difference. The environment is safe, nurturing, and full of engaging activities. A wonderful place that gives parents complete peace of mind. Thank you to the whole team for everything you do!
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Charisse Popat
4 months ago
My daughter absolutely loved attending Charnwood Nursery and Preschool Thurmaston before we moved and transitioned to the Rothley setting. She was so well looked after, and the staff were absolutely brilliant — kind, caring, and genuinely supportive. She settled in very quickly, which really says a lot about how welcoming and nurturing the environment is. We’ll always be grateful for the care and support she received, and I would highly recommend Charnwood Nursery and Preschool to other parents.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Charnwood Nursery and Pre-School. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: December 2015
- August 2022Outstanding
- December 2015Outstanding
Frequently asked about Charnwood Nursery and Pre-School
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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more