Nurseries and childcare in Ribble Valley
We know of 18 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers across Ribble Valley. 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 Ribble Valley
- Ribblesdale 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
- 2 to School Pre-School Preschool C of E Primary School, Berry Ln, Preston, PR3 3JA 5 Call
- Conkers Day Nursery Preschool Dewhurst Rd, Blackburn, BB6 5 Call
- Little People at The Limes Preschool Berry Lane, Preston, PR3 3JA 5 Call
- Bowland Pre-School Day care preschool St. James C Of E Primary School, Greenacre St, Clitheroe, BB7 1ED Call
- Bright Futures Daycare Centre Day care preschool Broomhill Farm, Smalden Ln, Grindleton, BB7 4RX Call
- Downham Pre School Preschool Main St, Downham, BB7 Call
- Downham Preschool School Main St Downham, Clitheroe, BB7 4BN Call
- Mearley Fold Day Centre Day care preschool Queens Rd, Clitheroe, BB7 1AR Call
- Moorland Nursery School Private school Ribblesdale Avenue, Clitheroe, BB7 Call
- Ribblesdale Nursery School Preschool Queens Rd, Clitheroe, BB7 1EL Call
- The Rossendale Preschool York St, Clitheroe, BB7 2DL Call
- Whalley Preschool Preschool The Old Grammar School, Station Rd, Clitheroe, BB7 Call
- Chatburn Pre School and Baby Unit Preschool Sawley Road, Clitheroe, BB7 4AS Call
- Mearley Fold Day Centre Child care and day care Mearley Fold Day Centre, Bright St, Clitheroe, BB7 1NW Call
- Mearley Fold Day Centre Child care and day care Mearley Fold Day Centre, Bright Street, Clitheroe, BB7 5 Call
- Snuggle And Sing/Toddle & Sing Preschool The Kings Centre, Milthorne Avenue, Clitheroe, BB7 2LE Call
- St. Wilfrids Nursery Preschool 1 St Wilfrid's Terrace, Preston, PR3 3WQ Call
- Trinity Care Group Child care and day care 8 Venus House, Mercury Rise, Sykeside Drive, Altham, Accrington, BB5 5BY 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 Ribble Valley?
We know of 18 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers across Ribble Valley, 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.