Nurseries and childcare in Bolton
We know of 67 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers across Bolton. 2 are state nursery schools, shown below with their latest Ofsted inspection: 2 of 2 judged good or better. Most nurseries are private, voluntary or part of a school, and Ofsted inspects those too: every one has a report on Ofsted’s website.
State nursery schools across Bolton
- Grosvenor Nursery School and Day Care CentreGood or better School remains Outstanding (2024) · phone and directions
- The Orchards Nursery SchoolGood or better School remains Good (2024)
Each name goes to its Ofsted reports. Primary schools, many with a nursery class, are on the schools page.
Nurseries and childcare by area
A few to start with
- All Smiles Pre Preschool Westbourne Ave, Bolton, BL3 5 Call
- Care Chiefs Childrens Day Nursery Day care preschool 124 Old Ln, Manchester, M38 9SB 5 Call
- Eagley School House Nursery Preschool Hough Ln, Bolton, BL7 5 Call
- Grosvenor Nursery School & Day Care Centre Day care preschool Lord St, Bolton, BL4 8AR 5 Call
- Heaton Dene Day Nursery Day care preschool Heaton Dene Nursery, 612 Chorley Rd, Bolton, BL5 3NJ 5 Call
- Kids Planet Preschool 24-26 Garnett St, Bolton, BL1 6NS 5 Call
- Meadow Hill Education and Arts Nursery Preschool Chorley New Rd, Bolton, BL6 5 Call
- Partou Playdays Day Nursery & Pre-school Day care preschool 76 Church St, Bolton, BL6 5EQ 3 Call
- Seymour Road Nursery Preschool Seymour Rd, Bolton, BL1 5 Call
- Starlights Day Care Nursery Day care preschool LINK HOUSE, Bolton Rd, Bolton, BL4 9BT 5 Call
- The Thicketford Centre Day care preschool Thicketford Rd, Bolton, BL2 2LW 5 Call
- Willow Tree Day Nursery - Bolton Day care preschool 31 Junction Rd, Bolton, BL3 4LT 5 Call
- Abacus Pre-School Nursery Preschool Greenmount Ln, Bolton, BL1 Call
- AW Childcare Services Ltd Home service Gainsborough Avenue, Bolton, BL3 Call
- Baby Bede Day Nursery Day care preschool Morris Green Ln, Bolton, BL3 Call
- Bo Jangles Preschool 49 Bradford St Unit C, Bolton, BL2 1HT Call
- Bolton Start Well Day care preschool Bolton Start Well Service, Bolton Council, Shaw Street, Bolton, BL3 Call
- Bowsers Doggy Day Care Pet boarding Back Manchester Rd W, Manchester, M38 9XA Call
- Bright Futures Nursery Bolton Preschool Green Lane, Bolton, BL32 Call
- Bright Horizons Families UK Day care preschool c/o David Lloyd Club Chorley Street, Bolton, BL1 4AL Call
- Brighter Bunnies Preschool Preschool Rear 5, 7 School St, Bolton, BL5 2BG Call
- Brownlow Fold Nursery Preschool 44 Darley St, Bolton, BL1 3DX Call
- Canterburys Nursery Day care preschool Kingswear Drive, Bolton, BL1 6EX Call
- Care Chiefs Highfield Hall Children’s Nursery Day care preschool Marsh Lane, Bolton, BL4 Call
Choosing a nursery
- Read the latest Ofsted report. Search by name or postcode on reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Private nurseries and childminders are on it as well as school nurseries.
- Visit, and ask about the day. Ratios of staff to children, how they settle a new child in, food, naps and time outdoors.
- Ask about funded hours and extra charges. Some nurseries charge for meals, nappies or trips on top of funded hours.
- Check waiting lists early. Popular nurseries fill months ahead, especially for babies.
Questions people ask
What do Ofsted grades mean for nurseries?
Until late 2025 Ofsted gave one overall grade: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate. Newer inspections give a report card instead, grading each area on a scale from exceptional to urgent improvement. Older grades stay on a nursery’s record until its next inspection.
Can I get free childcare hours?
In England every three and four year old can get 15 hours a week of funded childcare in term time. Working parents can get up to 30 hours a week from when their child is nine months old, if each parent earns at least 16 hours a week at the minimum wage and under £100,000 a year. Check and apply at childcarechoices.gov.uk.
How do I check a nursery’s Ofsted report?
Search for it by name or postcode on reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Every registered nursery and childminder in England has a page there with its inspection reports.
How many nurseries are there in Bolton?
We know of 67 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers across Bolton, including 2 state nursery schools. Childminders working from home don’t always appear on maps, so there may be more.
Other things people look for
Nursery school inspections from Ofsted, Open Government Licence. Listings from Overture Maps, the Food Standards Agency and © OpenStreetMap contributors. Missing one? Tell us.