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University of Cumbria Pre-School Centre

Ofsted: Good
(Nov 2023)
·
5.0(4 parent reviews) ·Bowerham Road, Lancaster, LA1 3JD · Lancashire
Number of places
80 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Nov 2023
Local authority
Lancashire

About this day nursery

The University of Cumbria Pre-School Centre provides nursery education for the children of university staff and students, as well as the wider Lancaster community. The centre operates from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, for 49 weeks per year, providing a consistent and nurturing environment for children from 7 months old up to school age.

They have a strong emphasis on individualised care, recognising each child's unique developmental journey through their progression through baby, 2-3, and 3-4 rooms. The staff are dedicated to fostering a positive and supportive atmosphere, ensuring children feel relaxed and at ease, which contributes to their growth and happiness.

The nursery is highly regarded by parents, who praise the caring and professional staff, excellent communication, and the positive impact on their children's development. The centre encourages outdoor learning, incorporating activities like forest school and utilising the university grounds for walks, providing a holistic approach to early years education.

They also offer flexible settling-in sessions to ensure a smooth transition for new children.

Our ethos

The Pre-School Centre focuses on individualised care, recognising each child's unique developmental journey. They foster a positive and supportive atmosphere by encouraging outdoor learning through forest school activities and using university grounds for walks, providing a holistic approach to early years education.

What it's like

Children are excited to come to this setting. They are greeted warmly by nurturing staff, who know them well. Children demonstrate that they feel happy and safe. Staff provide a range of exciting learning experiences indoors, outdoors and in the forest-school area. These fuel children's imagination.

University AffiliatedOutdoor LearningPositive Parent ReviewsExperienced Staff

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

Tax-Free Childcare
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

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 8am until 6pm, 49 weeks per year

Term time / All Year

Mixed

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for University of Cumbria Pre-School Centre

Last inspected 7 November 2023 · Dawn France

Overall effectiveness
Good

What it's like to attend

Children are excited to come to this setting. They are greeted warmly by nurturing staff, who know them well. Children demonstrate that they feel happy and safe. Staff provide a range of exciting learning experiences indoors, outdoors and in the forest-school area. These fuel children's imagination.

Inspector highlights

  • Staff creatively support children to become immersed in their learning.
  • The curriculum for communication and language is well planned. Staff take every opportunity to chat with children. They comment on their play and ask relevant questions. Staff also use Makaton signing to engage children who speak English as an additional language.
  • Staff promote children's literacy skills well. They have created a cosy book area where children invite adults to share books with them.
  • Staff provide experiences that effectively develop children's physical skills.
  • Leaders and staff listen to the views of parents and find creative ways to strengthen communication. As a result, partnerships with parents are strong. Parents value the nurturing way that staff create relationships with children and the whole family.

Areas to develop

  • 1focus more precisely on the implementation of plans for curriculum development that help to raise the quality of education.
Inspection #10289385 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. Staff are skilled in identifying additional needs early. They work with a range of partner agencies and understand how to accurately adapt their teaching to meet individual needs. This means that all children make good progress from their starting points.

Outdoor space

Staff provide a range of exciting learning experiences outdoors and in the forest-school area. For example, children dance with delight as they make images of fireworks outdoors by squirting paint and water onto the black tarmac. Children are learning to keep themselves safe when they play in the forest-school area.

Parent Reviews of University of Cumbria Pre-School Centre

5.0
(4)
Jack Knight
8 years ago

Lovely staff and a great environment for the little ones. :-)

Read on Google
Dan Theman
2 years ago

Without doubt the best play school in the area

Read on Google

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

Inspection history

Date: November 2009

  • November 2023Good
  • November 2017Outstanding
  • December 2014Good
  • November 2009Outstanding

Frequently asked about University of Cumbria Pre-School Centre

About the setting

University of Cumbria Pre-School Centre registered in 1990 and is situated within the university campus in Lancaster. The setting employs 22 members of staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2, 11 at level 3, and one at level 6. The manager and one other member of staff hold early years professional status. The owner holds a master's degree in leadership and management and a Montessori nursery teaching qualification. The setting opens from Monday to Friday for 48 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

URN
310284
Registered person
Smartstart (Catterall) Limited
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises

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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