Nurseries and childcare in Preston
We know of 47 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers across Preston. One is a state nursery school, shown below with its latest Ofsted inspection: 1 of 1 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 Preston
- Stoneygate Nursery SchoolGood or better Standards maintained (2025) · phone and directions
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
- Rainbow Wood Day Nursery Day care preschool Roman Way Industrial Estate, Preston, PR2 5BE 5 Call
- St Andrews Preschool Preschool Tulketh Rd, Preston, PR2 5 Call
- Tinkerbells Preschool 41 Beech Grove, Preston, PR2 1DU 5 Call
- Bluebells Private Day Nursery Preschool Longsands Ln, Preston, PR2 9PS Call
- Building Blocks Child Care Nursery Home service 32 Cottam Ave, Preston, PR2 3XE Call
- Busy Bees at Preston Hospital Day care preschool Royal, Hospital, Sharoe Green Ln, Preston, PR2 9HT Call
- Charlotte House Day Centre Day care preschool 17 Charlotte St, Preston, PR1 3RE Call
- Cliff House Nursery Ltd Preschool Lambert Rd, Preston, PR2 Call
- Cottam Nursery School Preschool 8 Sandy Ln, Preston, PR4 0LE Call
- Discovery Vine at Cottam Preschool Cottam Primary School, Haydocks Lane, Cottam, Preston, PR4 0NY Call
- Discovery Vine Childcare Preschool Longsands Pre School, Longsands Lane, Preston, PR2 Call
- English Martyrs R C Nursery School Preschool Sizer St, Preston, PR1 Call
- Fern Bank Private Day Nursery Preschool 116 Sharoe Green Ln, Preston, PR2 8HL Call
- Little Acorns Pre School Preschool Beechway, Preston, PR2 Call
- Mini's Day Care Home service 60-62 Lodge St, Preston, PR1 8XE Call
- Newlands Nursery School Preschool 17 Tower Lane, Fulwood, PR2 9HP Call
- Newlands Nursery School Ltd Day care preschool Tower Lane, Preston, PR2 Call
- Ollie's Trust Preschool Goosnargh Lane, Goosnargh, PR3 2BN 5 Call
- Ollies Full Day Care Day care preschool Goosnargh Lane, Goosnargh, Preston, PR3 2BN Call
- Pool House Under Fives Nursery Preschool Kidsgrove, Preston, PR2 Call
- Rosy Apple Childcare Home service 23 Herschell St, Preston, PR1 3QU Call
- Safehands Nursery at The Guild Hall Day care preschool Guild Hall , Preston, PR1 1HT Call
- Shining Stars Nursery Preschool Avenham Rd Ground Floor, Preston, PR1 5 Call
- Small Wonders Nurseries (Preston) Limited Day care preschool Arkwright Mill, Hawkins St, Preston, PR1 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 Preston?
We know of 47 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers across Preston, including 1 state nursery school. 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.