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Total Tots in Lancaster

Ofsted: Strong standard·
5.0(1 parent reviews) ·Caton Road, Lancaster, LA1 3PE · Lancashire
Number of places
62 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Dec 2025
Local authority
Lancashire

About this day nursery

Total Tots, established in 2003, is a childcare setting in Lancaster for children aged 0-4 years, operating Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 18:00. The nursery is praised for its calm and orderly environment where clear behavioural expectations are consistently reinforced.

Children make secure and sustained progress, showing curiosity and resilience in their learning. The curriculum is thoughtfully sequenced and adapted for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who are disadvantaged.

Staff effectively support children with English as an additional language (EAL) through consistent words, gestures, and simple sign language, fostering confident communication. The setting prioritises mathematics and children develop secure early mathematical concepts.

Total Tots excels in reducing barriers to learning for children with additional needs, with leaders and staff having clear systems for early identification and providing practical adjustments and targeted training. Outdoor play is a highlight, promoting joy, energy, and teamwork, with children engaging in local walks and community trips to expand their understanding of the world.

Our ethos

Total Tots Ltd fosters a nurturing and stimulating environment for children’s emotional, social, and academic flourishing. They emphasise a collaborative approach with parents, inclusivity, and celebrating diversity. Their curriculum promotes confidence, independence, and social skills through play, aiming to instil respect, empathy, and understanding.

What it's like

Children arrive eager and are warmly greeted by staff who know their routines and interests. Babies feel secure with familiar adults, while toddlers develop curiosity through hands-on play. Children with SEND benefit from clear cues and calm routines, and those with EAL receive consistent words and gestures, including simple sign language, to gain confidence in communication.

Calm & orderly environmentStrong progressEffective SEND supportRich outdoor learningEarly maths focus

Pricing & funding

The nursery offers full-day, morning, and afternoon sessions categorised into two age bands: 0-2 years and 2-5 years. A late session extension is available from 5:30pm to 6:00pm. Non-core fees are applied to funded AM/PM and full-day sessions.

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • Late session extension available from 5:30pm to 6:00pm.
  • Non-core fees apply to funded sessions for both full-day and morning/afternoon bookings.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday - Friday: 7:30am - 5:30pm (late session available on request from 5:30pm-6:00pm); Christmas Eve & New Years Eve Open: 7:30am - 12:30pm; Closed on Bank Holidays

Food

Nursery meals are well balanced and nutritious. Meals are freshly prepared each morning; details of the weekly menus are displayed on the nursery information board.

Session types

Full Day, Morning Session, Afternoon Session, Late Session Extension

Age range

Birth to 5 years

Term time / All Year

All_year

Established

2003

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Strong standard

Last inspected Dec 2025

Headline: Strong 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

AchievementStrong standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesStrong standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected standard
Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
InclusionStrong standard
Leadership and governanceExpected standard
Age range
0 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Total Tots

Last inspected 5 December 2025 · Kelly Little

Safeguarding effective

Actions the provider must take

  • the provider did not notify Ofsted of a recent significant change within the required timescale, which is a breach of the statutory requirements

What it's like to attend

Children arrive eager and are warmly greeted by staff who know their routines and interests. Babies feel secure with familiar adults, while toddlers develop curiosity through hands-on play. Children with SEND benefit from clear cues and calm routines, and those with EAL receive consistent words and gestures, including simple sign language, to gain confidence in communication.

Inspector highlights

  • Children make secure and sustained progress from their starting points in development and show curiosity in their learning.
  • Leaders establish a very calm and orderly environment where expectations for behaviour are clear and consistently reinforced.
  • The curriculum is coherently sequenced, and staff adapt teaching thoughtfully for all children, including those who are disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
  • Staff prioritise mathematics consistently across the day, helping children develop secure early mathematical concepts.
  • Leaders and staff have very clear systems to identify children's needs early and respond with care, making practical adjustments and seeking guidance from specialists when needed.

Areas to develop

  • 1Leaders should support staff to embed consistent hygiene routines, particularly for the youngest children, to promote and strengthen simple self-care habits.
Inspection #10109689 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children who need additional help make similarly secure progress because barriers to their learning are reduced quickly. Leaders and staff have very clear systems to identify children's needs early and respond with care. They make practical adjustments, such as offering quieter spaces, providing time with a familiar adult and adapting activities, so children can take part at their own pace. Leaders ensure that staff receive regular and targeted training on special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and the graduated approach. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities benefit from clear cues and calm routines that help them join in alongside their peers.

Outdoor space

Outdoors, children show joy, energy and teamwork. They encourage one another across stepping logs, cheer 'We can do it together' on the tandem bicycles and practise their road-safety routine before local walks. Children enjoy regular trips in the community.

EAL / language support

Children who speak English as an additional language hear consistent words and gestures, including simple sign language shared with their parents and carers to use at home. This helps them to link experiences and communicate with increasing confidence.

Parent Reviews of Total Tots

5.0
(1)

Reviews from Google for Total Tots. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: July 2011

The most recent inspection point has been hidden because the parsed entry didn't match the headline Ofsted rating (Outstanding). We're re-checking it against the original report.

  • February 2020Outstanding
  • September 2013Outstanding
  • July 2011Outstanding

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