Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 8am until 6pm
St Catherine's Independent Nursery
Ofsted: Outstanding
(Oct 2022)
Number of places
40 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2022
Local authority
Lancashire
About this day nursery
St Catherine's Independent Nursery, established in 2015, is a childcare setting for children aged 2 to 4 years located in Leyland, PR25 4SJ. The nursery operates Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, offering full-day care all year round, closing only for Christmas and Easter.
Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in its latest inspection on 11th October 2022, the nursery excels in all areas, including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management. The team of nine childcare staff, many holding high-level qualifications, are dedicated to providing a rich and ambitious Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum.
The nursery offers 15 and 30 hours of funded early education for eligible two, three, and four-year-old children, supporting those who access the early years pupil premium and children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND). A standout feature is the thoughtfully designed outdoor space and forest school, complemented by external sports experts, allowing children to engage in physical challenges and connect with the natural world in all weathers.
What it's like
Children flourish in this warm and nurturing environment. They are excited to see their friends when they arrive and settle happily into their learning. Children have exceptional bonds with the staff and readily share their ideas and learning with them. They feel extremely secure with staff, who know them very well. Staff make children's learning fun and chat to them endlessly about the things that they are doing. Children have beautiful manners. They help each other out and work collaboratively together. Children recognise kindness in each other. They decide who needs to put a jewel on the 'kindness tree' at the end of each session.
Warm & NurturingExceptional TeachingStrong PartnershipsOutstanding ProgressCan-Do AttitudeOutdoor Learning
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
Key facts
Term time / All Year
All_year
Established
2015
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for St Catherine's Independent Nursery
Last inspected 11 October 2022
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
What it's like to attend
Children flourish in this warm and nurturing environment. They are excited to see their friends when they arrive and settle happily into their learning. Children have exceptional bonds with the staff and readily share their ideas and learning with them. They feel extremely secure with staff, who know them very well. Staff make children's learning fun and chat to them endlessly about the things that they are doing. Children have beautiful manners. They help each other out and work collaboratively together. Children recognise kindness in each other. They decide who needs to put a jewel on the 'kindness tree' at the end of each session.
Inspector highlights
- Children flourish in a warm and nurturing environment, developing exceptional bonds with staff and readily sharing their ideas and learning.
- Staff make learning fun, and children demonstrate beautiful manners, helping each other and working collaboratively.
- Children are extremely independent, possess a 'can-do' attitude, and persevere to solve problems.
- A clear plan maximises children's learning through a rich array of indoor and outdoor resources and opportunities.
- The quality of teaching is exceptional, with knowledgeable staff expanding on children's ideas and interests.
- Staff skillfully use conversations to develop children's communication and language skills, building extensive vocabulary.
Inspection #10233981 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Staff expertly support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to succeed in their learning by quickly identifying gaps and implementing effective strategies. They work closely with parents and a range of other agencies to meet individual learning needs.
Outdoor space
The thoughtfully designed outdoor space and forest school, alongside external sports experts, offer a fantastic array of physical challenges, encouraging children to enjoy being outdoors in all weathers and understand the natural world. Children are immersed in a rich array of resources and learning opportunities, both indoors and outdoors.
EAL / language support
Staff quickly identify children whose language and social development have been affected by social isolation and plan to boost their learning in these areas, resulting in excellent progress.
Parent Reviews of St Catherine's Independent Nursery
5.0
(8)
Sarah Dunne
a year ago
The loveliest nursery setting with the most incredible team who genuinely care. Our daughter was with St Catherine’s for her pre-school year and absolutely loved it. She settled so quickly and was happy to be left after her first taster session which I think is a testament to how welcoming and warm every single member of staff is. We were greeted every morning without fail and never rushed back out of the door. The nursery have lots of extra activities from football lessons, forest school and a special reindeer visit at Christmas, to duckling hatching and an end of year farm trip. It genuinely is such a special nursery which would not be the same without the team of exceptional ladies who work there!
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Sarah Rawlinson
a year ago
Both my boys attended St Catherine’s Nursery. I would not even hesitate in recommending the nursery, the staff are all amazing - they always have a smile on their faces, the most encouraging, patient and positive bunch of ladies. My boys have both thrived under their care and were both sad to leave to go to school.
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lauren rowe
2 years ago
We were nervous about finding a nursery that our daughter would feel comfortable in after moving areas but as soon as I walked in St Catherine’s I knew it was the one. My little girl absolutely loves it and the staff are beyond amazing. It feels like a a proper community with the staff having been there many years and knowing all the children and their siblings well. I love that it really is getting them ready for school, rather than just being childcare. I've just had a baby boy and once he is old enough he will definitely be going to St Catherine’s.
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Laura Finley
2 years ago
St Catherine’s have been absolutely exceptional in every way. The staff are wonderful, kind and caring and show a genuine care for our little boy. We have seen our son flourish in so many ways since he began here in July particularly with his maths. He is excited to go to preschool every day and has taken part in such a range of activities from football, forest school, baking, woodwork and music. Thank you to everyone, we couldn’t recommend enough.
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Hassan Zaidi
3 years ago
I have three kids, for my last one I was very lucky to find St. Catherine's Independent Nursery Leyland. Unfortunately due to moving to another city, we have to leave it, and I found it very hard to find another nursery of this nursery's standard. It is truly a home from home and best nursery I have ever seen and the best staff indeed.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for St Catherine's Independent Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: January 2017
- October 2022Outstanding
- January 2017Outstanding
Frequently asked about St Catherine's Independent Nursery
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