Top 10 Nurseries in Preston

Finding the right nursery for your child is one of the biggest decisions you'll make as a parent. The Preston and Leyland area is fortunate to have a wide range of high-quality early years settings, many of them rated Outstanding by Ofsted. Whether you're searching for a small community nursery with a home-from-home feel or a larger setting with purpose-built facilities, this area delivers.

Here's a closer look at ten of the best nurseries in and around Preston, starting with one that has quickly become a favourite among local families.

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1. Little Mowgli Nursery, Leyland

Address: 2 Tomlinson Road, Farington Moss, Leyland, PR25 2DY 

Contact: 01772 974084

Little Mowgli Nursery & Preschool in Leyland stands out as one of the most welcoming early years settings in the Preston area. Inspired by the spirit of adventure and a deep respect for nature, the nursery takes a play-based, child-led approach to learning under the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.

The nursery offers two dedicated rooms the Tiger Room and the Giraffe Room alongside a well-equipped outdoor play area. Each space gives children room to explore at their own pace, building language, literacy, creativity, and social skills through hands-on activities.

What makes Little Mowgli different is its community focus. This is a small, independent nursery where every child is known by name and treated as an individual. Parents who visit often remark on the warm, home-from-home atmosphere and the attentive, caring staff team.

Little Mowgli welcomes families from Leyland and the surrounding villages, including Bamber Bridge, Lostock Hall, Chorley, Buckshaw Village, Farrington, and Euxton. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm, making it practical for working parents.

Why parents choose it: Nurturing environment, nature-inspired curriculum, small group sizes, strong parental communication.

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2. Kids Planet Preston (Fulwood)

Address: 17 Tower Lane, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9HP

Kids Planet operates several Ofsted-registered nurseries in the Preston area, with settings in Fulwood and Penwortham. The Fulwood setting is well-positioned for commuters and healthcare staff, offering easy access to the M55, M6 (Junction 32), and Royal Preston Hospital.

The nursery incorporates a Udeskole-accredited outdoor learning approach, encouraging children to explore their surroundings and build confidence and resilience through play-based discovery. Age-appropriate rooms cater for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, with freshly prepared meals served on site.

Kids Planet works closely with Lancashire County Council to provide funded childcare places for eligible families, including 15 and 30 hours of support, alongside Tax-Free Childcare options.

Why parents choose it: Outstanding Ofsted rating, outdoor learning focus, convenient location for hospital and motorway commuters.

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3. Busy Bees at Preston Ashton House

Address: Ashton House, Preston

Busy Bees is one of the most established childcare providers in the UK, and the Ashton House setting in Preston consistently draws praise from local parents.

Busy Bees at Ashton House provides a highly qualified team, an excellent outdoor environment, and entranceways fitted with an intercom system for added security. The nursery has eight bright and unique classrooms, each with its own garden space, providing quality learning experiences and giving children space to explore, play, and develop.

The setting's Bee Curious curriculum supports children's growth across all areas of the EYFS. Parent reviews frequently praise the dedicated staff team and the nursery's ability to support children with medical or additional needs throughout their time there.

Why parents choose it: Outstanding Ofsted rating, secure facilities, strong curriculum, experienced staff.

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4. Partou Bluebells Day Nursery & Pre-School, Fulwood

Address: Longsands Lane, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9PS 

Tel: 01772 798034

Partou Bluebells is a day nursery and pre-school providing early years care and education to families throughout Fulwood, Grange, Ribbleton, and the surrounding areas. From dens and reading corners to exploration stations and sensory rooms, the nursery encourages children to develop by embracing their natural interests.

The sensory room is one of the most engaging features at Bluebells. It includes a large luminous ball pool, relaxing music, and sparkling lights, giving children regular access to a space that supports their emotional health.

Parents of children with special educational needs have spoken especially warmly about Bluebells, noting that staff go out of their way to support every child's individual learning journey.

Why parents choose it: Sensory learning spaces, inclusive approach, strong SEND support, central Fulwood location.

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5. Little Acorns Pre-School, Fulwood

Address: Beechway, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 8EU 

Little Acorns Pre-School offers high-quality, affordable early years education in a warm, nurturing environment in Fulwood, Preston. The setting is rated Outstanding by Ofsted and is committed to supporting every child's unique journey.

The pre-school was established over 20 years ago and runs with the support of parents, carers, and grandparents. Activities include music classes, trips in the local area, story time, and outdoor play. Children are supported to develop at their own pace, and the nursery works hard to build strong links with parents and carers.

Little Acorns is a limited company with charitable status, run by a committee of volunteers (Registered Charity Number: 1136626), and the curriculum follows the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.

Why parents choose it: Ofsted Outstanding, community-run ethos, affordable fees, long-established reputation.

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6. Tinkerbells Day Nursery, Penwortham

Address: Penwortham, Preston (River Ribble) 

Tel: 01772 751666

Tinkerbells Day Nursery was previously a public house standing on the River Ribble in Penwortham, Preston. It officially opened its doors to children aged 3 months to 5 years in September 2011. In 2014, the nursery launched its Forest School Project, which enables all children to access exciting outdoor learning opportunities supported by a qualified Forest School Leader.

Ofsted has rated Tinkerbells as Outstanding. The nursery's unique riverside location gives it a genuinely special character, and the Forest School programme gives children regular access to nature-based learning in all weathers. Staff actively listen to children's views and interests, using these to plan stimulating activities.

Why parents choose it: Forest School programme, Outstanding Ofsted rating, unique riverside location, strong outdoor learning focus.

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7. Little Wonders Nursery, Preston

Address: 50–54 Fishwick Parade, Preston, PR1 4XQ 

Little Wonders Nursery is a 50-place nursery in Preston, rated Outstanding by Ofsted.

At Little Wonders Nursery in Preston, the team nurtures young minds in a safe, caring environment, providing quality early education and celebrating every child's milestones with engaging activities. For babies, the daily routine involves a mix of sensory exploration, physical movement, and quiet moments, while remaining flexible to accommodate each baby's unique needs.

The nursery is also noted for its multilingual staff team, which makes it particularly welcoming for families from diverse backgrounds. Key carer one-to-one moments are built into every baby's day to ensure each child feels secure and known.

Why parents choose it: Outstanding Ofsted rating, multilingual staff, strong baby care provision, personalised approach.

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8. Little Sparkles Nursery, Preston

Address: Peel Hall Street, Preston, PR1 6QQ

Little Sparkles Nursery (LSN) is dedicated to providing exceptional care and education for children aged 2 to 5 years. The purpose-built, two-storey nursery is in the heart of Preston and is registered to accommodate up to 160 children, with excellent indoor and outdoor facilities offering a safe, inclusive, and engaging setting.

Little Sparkles Nursery holds an Outstanding Ofsted rating. Parents describe the staff as attentive and knowledgeable, with one noting that practitioners give children the love, care, and attention they need while working closely with families to make each child's experience as enjoyable as possible.

Why parents choose it: Large purpose-built facility, Outstanding Ofsted, inclusive ethos, central Preston location.

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9. Small Wonders Day Nursery, Preston

Address: Near UCLan, Preston City Centre 

Small Wonders Day Nursery in Preston has supported families across the city for almost 30 years, providing childcare for children aged 0 to 5 in a nurturing, safe, and fun environment. The nursery is located close to the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), conveniently positioned for both Preston city centre and surrounding areas, making it a popular choice for local families and commuters alike.

With nearly three decades of experience, Small Wonders brings genuine depth of knowledge in early years care. The highly qualified team tailors activities to each stage of development, from birth through to five.

Why parents choose it: Nearly 30 years of experience, central location near UCLan, full-time childcare, broad age range covered.

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10. Broughton Pre-School Nursery, Broughton

Address: Broughton, Preston, Lancashire

Broughton Pre-School Nursery is an outstanding educational facility providing exceptional care and education to children from age two until school age. The nursery has a spacious outdoor area and access to playing fields. Ofsted has recognised the setting's quality across leadership, teaching, and the learning environment.

The nursery's village location just north of Preston gives it a quieter, community feel, and the generous outdoor space means children spend plenty of time engaged in active, physical play alongside structured learning activities.

Why parents choose it: Outstanding Ofsted rating, spacious outdoor area, village community atmosphere, strong school-readiness preparation.

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What to Look for When Choosing Nurseries in Preston

Finding the right nursery takes more than a quick internet search. Here are the key things to check before you book a visit.

Ofsted rating: All registered nurseries in England receive inspections from Ofsted. A rating of Outstanding or Good means the setting consistently delivers quality care and education. You can check any nursery's current rating at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

EYFS compliance: Every nursery in England must follow the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, which covers seven areas of learning and development from birth to age five. Ask any setting how they plan and track progress against the EYFS.

Staff qualifications: Look for nurseries where the team holds Level 3 qualifications or above in childcare and education, with ongoing professional development.

Key person system: A key person system means your child has one named member of staff who builds a close relationship with them and keeps you informed about their progress.

Funded hours: If your child is aged 2, 3, or 4, you may be eligible for government-funded childcare hours. Check with Lancashire County Council or the government's Childcare Choices website for current entitlements, as these have expanded in recent years.

Visit in person: No list replaces seeing a setting for yourself. Look for engaged, happy children, confident staff, and an environment where children are clearly free to explore and play.

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FAQs About Nurseries in Preston

Q: What age can my child start nursery in Preston? 

Most nurseries in the Preston area accept children from three months old, though this varies by setting. Some pre-schools only take children from age two. It's worth contacting individual nurseries to confirm their age range and current availability before applying.

Q: How many funded childcare hours are available in Lancashire? 

The government currently offers 15 hours per week of funded childcare for all 3 and 4-year-olds, and 30 hours for eligible working families. Funded places for 2-year-olds are also available for qualifying families. Check the government's Childcare Choices website for up-to-date eligibility details.

Q: How do I check a nursery's Ofsted rating in Preston? 

You can search for any registered nursery on the Ofsted website at reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Search by nursery name or postcode to find the most recent inspection report and overall rating. Always read the full report, not just the headline grade.

Q: What is the EYFS and why does it matter? 

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the statutory framework all registered nurseries in England must follow. It covers seven areas of learning, including communication, physical development, and personal and social development. A nursery that follows the EYFS provides a structured but flexible approach to early learning.

Q: Is Little Mowgli Nursery accepting new children? 

Little Mowgli Nursery in Leyland welcomes enquiries from families across the Preston and Leyland area. You can check current availability directly on the website at littlemowgli.com/availability or call the nursery on 01772 974084 to arrange a visit.