Nursery Advice
Claim Your Nursery

Natures Nursery Barn

Ofsted: Expected standard·East Barn, Clifton fields, Preston, PR4 0XG · Lancashire
Number of places
85 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2026
Local authority
Lancashire

About this day nursery

Natures Nursery Barn is a family-operated day nursery situated in Preston, offering a charming and welcoming environment for children aged 3 months to 5 years. Located within an over 100-year-old farmyard, the day nursery is surrounded by mature trees and fields, providing an attractive natural backdrop for learning.

The setting is easily accessible while benefiting from a rural location, just 200 metres from the nearest road. The nursery prides itself on blending nature-based learning with early childhood education in a homely atmosphere.

Their mission is to provide an unforgettable experience for every child, fostering curiosity, growth, and development. The layout of the nursery encourages learning through play, with ample opportunities to explore both indoor and outdoor environments.

They are committed to excellence and continually strive to be the best in providing stimulating and engaging experiences that enhance learning. The nursery places children at the heart of its operations, ensuring a rich array of learning and development opportunities are available.

They also offer a baby room, which has been positively reviewed by parents. The team is consistently described as kind, caring, professional, and dedicated, creating a supportive and nurturing environment where children feel happy and safe, and parents have peace of mind.

Our ethos

At Natures Nursery Barn, they recognise children's inherent curiosity and embrace The Curiosity Approach ethos to enhance early childhood education through an environment of awe and wonder. This nature-based learning philosophy gives children the freedom to explore and grow, championing child-led learning to boost confidence, critical thinking, and problem-solving. They believe 'Curiosity is something in all of us – it just needs to be ignited,' driving deeper exploration and questioning.

What it's like

Children enjoy coming to the setting and settle happily, building secure attachments with familiar adults. They benefit from a wide range of indoor and outdoor experiences, exploring the environment and developing physical skills and confidence. Children generally develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed for the next stage of their learning, making choices and becoming increasingly independent. Close partnerships with families ensure children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, feel secure and develop a sense of belonging.

Family-run nurseryNature-based learningThe Curiosity ApproachIn The Moment PlanningHomely environment

Pricing & funding

Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Request pricing →

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday - Friday: 07:30 – 18:00; Saturday - Sunday: Closed

Age range

3 months to 5 years

Term time / All Year

All_year

Registered with Ofsted

2024

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Expected standard

Last inspected Jul 2026

Headline: Expected standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
—
Expected standard
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementExpected standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesExpected standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected standard
Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
InclusionExpected standard
Leadership and governanceExpected standard
Age range
1 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted report for Natures Nursery Barn

Last inspected 29 July 2026

What it's like to attend

Children enjoy coming to the setting and settle happily, building secure attachments with familiar adults. They benefit from a wide range of indoor and outdoor experiences, exploring the environment and developing physical skills and confidence. Children generally develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed for the next stage of their learning, making choices and becoming increasingly independent. Close partnerships with families ensure children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, feel secure and develop a sense of belonging.

Inspector highlights

  • All children typically develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for the next stage of their learning.
  • Children develop their communication and language skills, confidently sharing ideas and experiences with others.
  • Children generally engage well in activities and show positive attitudes towards their learning, making choices and exploring interests.
  • Leaders work with families to understand patterns of absence and offer flexibility to support regular attendance.
  • Transitions between the setting and school, and within rooms, are managed well, with parents describing information as 'phenomenal'.
  • Children are supported to recognise, understand and talk about their own feelings, using appreciation mirrors to identify emotions.
  • Leaders have designed a broad, predominantly child-led curriculum that supports children's development across all areas of learning.
  • Leaders are committed to providing positive experiences for children and understand the strengths of the setting.
  • Partnerships are a strength, with leaders working closely with families, external organisations, and other professionals.
  • Leaders support staff wellbeing through regular communication and supervision meetings.

Areas to develop

  • 1Leaders should support staff to organise daily transitions and routines more effectively, so all children remain fully engaged and benefit from consistent learning opportunities throughout the day.
  • 2Leaders should support staff to consistently embed hygiene routines, so children develop the habits needed to support their own health and wellbeing.
  • 3Leaders should strengthen monitoring of staff practice so that coaching and professional development are precisely targeted to individual staff needs and improve consistency.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Leaders and staff identify children's individual needs appropriately, working closely with families and professionals to reduce barriers to learning. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities benefit from targeted support, with staff using equipment like trampolines and additional funding to help them access learning.

Outdoor space

Children benefit from a wide range of outdoor experiences. Younger children excitedly search for horses in the neighbouring fields, and staff support them to name the animals and copy their sounds. Older children climb, balance, and follow rules of games as they explore the outdoor environment, developing physical skills and confidence.

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

29 July 2026

Expected standard

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

Frequently asked about Natures Nursery Barn

Nearby day nurseries in Preston

Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Natures Nursery Barn.

Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details.

Claim listing

Share this nursery

Send to a partner, friend or family member.

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