--- title: "University of Cumbria Pre-School Centre — Ofsted-rated Good" description: "University of Cumbria Pre-School Centre, a nursery in Lancaster — Rated Good by Ofsted. See opening hours, fees, photos and contact details on Nursery Advice." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. 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That classification places it within the nursery and preschool sector rather than a home-based childcare setting." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does settling in work at the centre?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Settling-in sessions are offered to help children move into the setting smoothly. 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The public text does not give a price, and it directs families to ask staff about funding and Tax-Free Childcare." } } ] } ] } ] --- [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/ "Nursery Advice") [Find Nurseries](/search)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)[Compare](/compare)[About Us](/about-us)[For Nurseries](/for-nurseries) [Claim Your Nursery](/claim) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Nurseries](/nurseries) 3. [North West](/search?region=North+West) 4. University of Cumbria Pre-School Centre # University of Cumbria Pre-School Centre Compare Contact Nursery 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 - About - Pricing - Ofsted - Inclusion - Reviews - FAQ - [About](#about) - [Pricing](#pricing) - [Ofsted](#ofsted) - [Inclusion](#inclusion) - [Reviews](#reviews) - [FAQ](#faq) Email Nursery ## 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 Affiliated Outdoor Learning Positive Parent Reviews Experienced 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 - 1 focus more precisely on the implementation of plans for curriculum development that help to raise the quality of education. Inspection #10289385 · Source: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50235614) ### Official Ofsted Report Independent inspection of University of Cumbria Pre-School Centre Inspection date Nov 2023 Inspection no. 10289385 Lead inspector Dawn France [Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50235614)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/310284) Visit or enquire ### Book a show-around Most settings reply within 48 hours. Schedule a VisitContact NurseryJoin Waitlist Get in touch ### Contact Phone not yet listed Contact Nursery [ Visit website ](https://www.u4cpreschoolcentre.co.uk/) Bowerham Road, Lancaster, LA1 3JD Opening hours Monday to Friday, 8am until 6pm, 49 weeks per year [© Mapbox](https://www.mapbox.com/about/maps) [© OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright/) [Improve this map](https://apps.mapbox.com/feedback/?owner=bettersearch&id=cmr0xkm3n001m01shcu7igkjr&access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiYmV0dGVyc2VhcmNoIiwiYSI6ImNtcjB4NzVvNDA0ZTkycHF5Z3g3aWNtZWcifQ.h8Ni35tijJSAoESKsGArhg#/-2.78772/54.04081/14) [](https://www.mapbox.com/) ## Explore day nurseries near Lancaster - [Day nurseries in Lancaster](/search?q=Lancaster) - [Day nurseries in North West](/search?q=North+West) Is this your nursery? Claim this listing to add photos, pricing, and respond to enquiries. [Claim this listing](/claim?nursery=university-of-cumbria-pre-school-centre-la1-3jd-310284) 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) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a-/ALV-UjVZSVemXbCDGS7ZBtqgJEMaNpxOLavjDxxO3xgEALcEeFfj7ZtZ=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo-ba3) Jack Knight 8 years ago Lovely staff and a great environment for the little ones. :-) [Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURnOWFXLVpBEAE!2m1!1s0x487b628c1a0420b5:0x32f173229588e573) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a-/ALV-UjVIMpaEq50hGrXJWa4WZu5ZJECIvvfGI1ukfKR8CHISf4f4FK0=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo-ba3) Dan Theman 2 years ago Without doubt the best play school in the area [Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURsalBPVjVnRRAB!2m1!1s0x487b628c1a0420b5:0x32f173229588e573) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocL3sZ_dF_OtLzyeFZubfUQHqffSUCQ23vJnDeLpgvzonuDXng=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo-ba3) Sperger Research 3 years ago Great staff great nursery. [Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNoMWZ6VUNBEAE!2m1!1s0x487b628c1a0420b5:0x32f173229588e573) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a-/ALV-UjWYgVNWwDT-VBmos_cumM_ktJdPvfLPXmJkR_SOK3_BJEK_K0Ez=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo) Desy Pirmasari a week ago [Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2t0SU0yeDNTVVp3YkdwdWFrMU9SR3RUVTNWQ2RXYxAB!2m1!1s0x487b628c1a0420b5:0x32f173229588e573) Reviews from Google for University of Cumbria Pre-School Centre. [See all on Google Maps](https://maps.google.com/?cid=3670841763658524019&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA) Inspection history Date: November 2009 - November 2023 Good - November 2017 Outstanding - December 2014 Good - November 2009 Outstanding ## Frequently asked about University of Cumbria Pre-School Centre ### Is University of Cumbria Pre-School Centre a private nursery? ### How does settling in work at the centre? ### What is the nursery working on improving? ### How was University of Cumbria Pre-School Centre rated by Ofsted? ### From what age does University of Cumbria Pre-School Centre accept children? ### What are the fees at 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 ## Nearby day nurseries in Lancaster Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to University of Cumbria Pre-School Centre. - [ Ofsted: Good 0.5 mi ### Tiny Treasures Lancaster · LA1 4HX ](/nursery/tiny-treasures-la1-4hx-2515645) - [ Ofsted: Outstanding 0.5 mi ### Lancaster Day Nursery Lancaster · LA1 4RP 4.3(6 reviews) ](/nursery/lancaster-day-nursery-la1-4rp-ey491949) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.5 mi ### Moorside Pre-School Lancaster · LA1 4HT ](/nursery/moorside-pre-school-la1-4ht-ey290423) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.6 mi ### Christ Church School Playgroup Lancaster · LA1 3ES ](/nursery/christ-church-school-playgroup-la1-3es-309271) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.7 mi ### Nazareth House Day Nursery Lancaster · LA1 5AQ ](/nursery/nazareth-house-day-nursery-la1-5aq-ey445791) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.7 mi ### Mucky Pups Pre School Lancaster · LA1 1TP ](/nursery/mucky-pups-pre-school-la1-1tp-ey410312) [See all nurseries in Lancaster →](/search?q=Lancaster) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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