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Pre-School Centre

Ofsted: Good
(Jul 2025)
·
5.0(4 parent reviews) ·Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4YW · Lancashire
Number of places
158 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2025
Local authority
Lancashire

About this day nursery

The Pre-School Centre, located on the campus of Lancaster University, provides childcare with competitive pricing structured to include food within its session rates. The centre operates with a minimum booking requirement of two sessions per child per week, and full-day care is charged as two sessions, with no additional cost for the break between them.

The centre aims to support parents with various funding options, and details on how Early Years Funding is delivered, alongside eligibility and application processes, are provided in a dedicated funding information document. Additionally, the centre offers a childcare salary sacrifice scheme to eligible Lancaster University staff, enabling potential reductions in tax and National Insurance contributions.

Parents are encouraged to review the comprehensive Terms & Conditions, particularly the Prices and Invoicing section, for information on invoicing terms and refund policies. The centre periodically updates its invoice dates, which are communicated through its Parents Newsletter.

What it's like

Staff are kind and caring and have high expectations of children, who they know well. Children know the routine and what is expected of them and show strong attitudes to doing things for themselves. Leaders create an ambitious curriculum and plan a rich programme of experiences that ensure children understand what makes them unique and feel involved in their local community.

University-affiliatedCompetitive pricingEarly Years Funding acceptedChildcare salary sacrifice for staff

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.

Key facts

Food

All session prices are inclusive of food.

Opening hours

8.15am until 5.30pm, Monday to Friday

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Pre-School Centre

Last inspected 23 July 2025

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

Staff are kind and caring and have high expectations of children, who they know well. Children know the routine and what is expected of them and show strong attitudes to doing things for themselves. Leaders create an ambitious curriculum and plan a rich programme of experiences that ensure children understand what makes them unique and feel involved in their local community.

Inspector highlights

  • Staff are kind and caring and have secure relationships with children.
  • Children show strong attitudes to doing things for themselves and develop their sense of responsibility and key life skills.
  • Leaders create an ambitious curriculum and plan a rich programme of experiences to help children understand their community and the world.
  • Staff ensure that children's language and communication development is a priority and model language well.
  • The procedures for supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are strong and they make good progress.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to implement the precise learning intentions of activities more effectively so that children remain fully engaged in their learning
  • 2review the deployment of staff to consistently provide purposeful interactions for children to build on their existing skills and knowledge.
Inspection #10410242 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents and carers value the continuity of care, particularly the approach of keeping the same key person through their children's transitions between rooms.

parents appreciate the regular updates on their children's progress, which help them to continue with this learning at home.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

The procedures for supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are strong. Leaders implement targeted learning plans for children who have fallen behind in their development and make timely referrals to outside agencies. Leaders use additional funding effectively to enhance the provision and narrow the gaps in children's learning. Children with SEND are very happy at the nursery, make good progress and are well prepared for their next stage in education.

Outdoor space

Children have access to playing indoors and outdoors. The pace is very much child led. Outdoors, staff plan activities for children to develop their large muscles, for instance, children negotiate obstacle courses they have built.

Parent Reviews of Pre-School Centre

5.0
(4)
Janie Welling
a year ago

My eldest went and my youngest is currently there. Their care is absolutely outstanding, and both children love it. They do exciting activities and little trips out, use my happy mind, make the learning fun, it's diverse, warm, friendly and we highly recommend it.

Read on Google
H Mans
3 years ago

Excellent. Had two children go there during my extended run at the Uni. Both of them moved around between various 'key persons' for some strange coincidence. However the handovers were always smooth, the new key persons well briefed, they even do warming up days. The teachers knew the children well, even the secondary ones and office staff. The whole place works like a well-oiled machine. The office is on top of things, never missed a step: invoices, timetables etc The teachers put in an enormous effort, would be able to manage a smile even on days when they were short staffed.

Read on Google
Giorgio Motta
10 years ago

Friendly and professional staff. Very good infrastructure. Perfect for any child.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Pre-School Centre. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: February 2010

  • July 2025Good
  • July 2019Outstanding
  • July 2013Outstanding
  • February 2010Outstanding

Frequently asked about Pre-School Centre

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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