Kids Planet Clarence

Beach and woodland outings give Kids Planet Clarence a recognisable coastal character. Based on Clarence Avenue in Thornton-Cleveleys, it combines hands-on play with opportunities to explore beyond the nursery, making the surrounding area part of children's learning rather than simply its backdrop.

At its August 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding, finding exceptional progress, carefully ordered learning and effective safeguarding. The practical examples behind that judgement matter: babies practising independence, children helping friends solve problems, and outings that introduced both physical challenges and community life.

Clarence has capacity for 80 children, with a current age range of three months to five years. Full days, morning and afternoon sessions, and a shorter day give families several attendance patterns to work with.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care here: play, conversation and everyday experiences help children build skills as they grow. Clarence's current emphasis is on exploration and messy play, with creative projects indoors and small outdoor challenges giving children things to investigate for themselves.

In August 2024, staff built new learning on what children could already do, adapting their approach to individual interests. Children chose activities with adults nearby to discuss the possibilities. That combination gives a useful picture of the nursery's educational approach at the time: children's choices mattered, while adults supplied direction and support.

Language work was embedded in interaction rather than confined to a single activity. In August 2024, children discussed the nursery bear's travels with families, including a trip to Japan, and made postcards which they took to a post box for their families. Travel became something to talk about and writing had a purpose beyond practising marks.

Outdoor and Community Life

The beach and forest are a few minutes’ walk from the nursery. This is a useful physical advantage for families who value exploration beyond an outdoor play area: different surroundings offer different things to notice and different ways to move.

In August 2024, beach and woodland outings involved children running over varied ground, while tram journeys gave staff opportunities to discuss surroundings and risk. Visits to a local care home introduced children to older generations. These experiences connected physical activity with learning about people and places.

Movement also happened through organised activities. Baby yoga in August 2024 involved developing body awareness and core strength, alongside sports and movement classes for children. Sports activities remain part of the current fee-inclusive offer, although the dated examples describe the activities seen at that inspection.

Relationships and Communication

In August 2024, the key-person arrangements helped staff get to know children's interests and personalities. Babies' milestones, including early words and steps, were celebrated on proud cloud boards. For parents of very young children, that is a concrete example of small developments receiving attention alongside organised learning.

Communication extended beyond updates about the nursery day. In August 2024, families contributed suggestions that led to changes outdoors, and staff supplied resources for learning at home. Parents had a part in shaping provision, as well as receiving information about it.

Today, the group-wide Famly app is included in Clarence's offer and provides updates in real time. It gives parents another way to follow their child's experiences between conversations with staff.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

Emotional support had practical methods behind it in August 2024. Children could express frustration in designated areas before using breathing exercises to become calmer. Babies also practised drinking from open cups, showing how independence could begin with a manageable everyday task.

Transitions received attention too. In August 2024, staff passed information between rooms so the next key adults could get to know each child, and school preparation included visits and trying school uniforms. A graduation festival celebrated children moving on. These were preparations for change, with familiar information and experiences helping make the next stage less abstract.

Freshly prepared food includes snacks as well as meals, with dietary needs catered for. Mealtimes also give children opportunities to practise simple tasks for themselves and share a sociable part of the day.

Sessions and Attendance

Clarence opens Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6pm, across 52 weeks of the year, with bank holiday closures. Its address is 1 Clarence Avenue, Thornton-Cleveleys, FY5 2BE.

Full Day and Full Time bookings run from 7.30am to 6pm. Morning sessions finish at 1pm after a 7.30am start; Afternoon sessions run from 1pm to 6pm. The Short Day runs from 9am to 3pm, and ad hoc hourly childcare is also offered.

Those differences matter when matching childcare to work or family routines. A morning booking, an afternoon booking and the shorter daytime pattern serve different schedules from a full day. Enquiries can be made directly on 01253 853014 or by emailing clarence@kidsplanetdaynurseries.co.uk.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare and privately paid care are both offered. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation, with the distinction between private fees and days using early years funding central to understanding the total cost.

Private fees include meals and snacks, plus nappies, formula, wipes and sun cream. On days when early years funding is applied, meals, consumables and activities are charged separately, with the charge category depending on the hours attended. Funding therefore needs to be considered alongside these additional items rather than treated as the whole bill.

• Coastal outings. The nearby beach and forest support exploration, and August 2024 activities included tram travel. During a tour, discuss how outings work for your child's age and what clothing they need.
• Choosing a session. Morning, afternoon, full-day and Short Day patterns have different finishing times. Use the show round to discuss the pattern that fits your family and how the nursery manages the handover into that session.
• Funded-day charges. Meals, consumables and activities attract separate charges on days using funding. Request a written quotation for your intended pattern so the funded hours and additional costs are clear together.

Kids Planet Clarence suits families seeking either morning or afternoon childcare, a shorter daytime booking, or full-day attendance, with coastal exploration an appealing part of its character. Its August 2024 Outstanding judgement provides a strong dated assessment of education and care, supported by concrete examples of independence, communication and community outings. The clearest practical consideration is how the chosen session and funded-day extras combine in the family's quotation.