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Mucky Pups Pre School

Ofsted: Good
(Oct 2023)
·Lancaster Boys and Girls Club, Dallas Road, LANCASTER, LA1 1TP · Lancashire
Number of places
24 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2023
Local authority
Lancashire

About this day nursery

Mucky Pups Preschool in Lancaster provides a welcoming and lively environment, prioritising the needs of both children and their families. The preschool offers flexible spaces, operating term-time or year-round, for children aged one year to preschool age, accommodating both funded and non-funded placements.

They do not charge for consumables or snacks, though parents are asked to provide nappies and lunch for full-day or morning sessions. Mucky Pups is open five days a week, Monday to Friday, for 50 weeks of the year, closing only for the two-week Christmas period and all bank holidays.

The preschool emphasises its commitment to keeping fees as accessible as possible and boasts a straightforward payment policy with no deposit required. They maintain a waiting list when at full capacity and are currently accepting bookings for September 2026 onwards.

Mucky Pups also has an on-site After School and Holiday Club for older children aged 4-11, Dallas Road Kids Club.

What it's like

Children are greeted warmly by staff and quickly settle into their learning. They feel safe and happy in this calm and nurturing learning environment, where there is a real sense of family and children of all ages play together. Staff provide a range of interesting resources and real-life experiences for children, who make good progress in their learning across the curriculum.

Flexible bookingsNo deposit requiredAccepts funded hoursNo charge for snacks

Pricing & funding

Fees are structured by age band, with rates decreasing as the child grows. The nursery offers distinct full day and half day care rates for one-year-olds, two-year-olds, and children over the age of two.

Funding accepted

Tax-Free Childcare30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, 50 weeks a year (closed for 2 weeks over Christmas and all Bank Holidays)

Session types

Full day (8am - 6pm), Morning session (8am - 1pm), Afternoon session (1pm - 6pm)

Waitlist

currently taking bookings for September 2026 and beyond

Age range

1 year to preschool

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Mucky Pups Pre School

Last inspected 24 October 2023 · Dawn France

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children are greeted warmly by staff and quickly settle into their learning. They feel safe and happy in this calm and nurturing learning environment, where there is a real sense of family and children of all ages play together. Staff provide a range of interesting resources and real-life experiences for children, who make good progress in their learning across the curriculum.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are greeted warmly and settle quickly into their learning.
  • Staff plan activities to promote the well-being of children and foster strong bonds with their key person.
  • Staff promote children's language skills well through careful listening and engaging dialogue.
  • The curriculum for literacy helps children to develop a love of books and broadens their vocabulary.
  • Support for children's physical development is good, with opportunities for both fine motor skills and gross motor activities outdoors.

Areas to develop

  • 1focus more precisely on learning intentions for individual children, particularly during group activities, so that all children remain engaged and can access the learning intended.
Inspection #10289531 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents enjoy regular written updates on their children's progress and value the way in which staff develop nurturing relationships with their children.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff use their knowledge of child development to identify additional needs early on. They modify their teaching and the curriculum where necessary and work with parents to plan effective use of any additional resources. In this way, staff help all children make the best progress from their starting points.

Outdoor space

All children are encouraged to independently put their things away, put on their slippers or change into waterproof suits and wellies when going outdoors. Outdoors, children enjoy opportunities for climbing and balancing on planks and tyres.

Inspection history

Date: June 2011

  • October 2023Good
  • November 2017Good
  • November 2014Good
  • June 2011Good

Frequently asked about Mucky Pups Pre School

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