Oakhill School Nursery Review

Play, language lessons and outdoor exploration give Oakhill’s youngest children a day with several different textures. This is the nursery at Oakhill School in Whalley, welcoming children from birth to four within a campus shared with the prep and senior schools. In January 2026, 145 children attended the registered nursery provision. That is an attendance figure, rather than a measure of places available.

The nursery combines school-based learning with childcare across 50 weeks of the year. ISI judged the registered early years provision good at its inspection of 4 to 6 March 2025. That judgement applies to the registered provision, rather than serving as an overall school grade.

Learning begins with play. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together early number and literacy work, creative expression, understanding the world, physical development, relationships and communication. In parent terms, children learn through doing, talking and experimenting. Specialist teaching adds languages and PE, while Forest School introduces another setting for exploration.

Stories, singing and rhymes run through everyday routines. In March 2025, babies and toddlers responded to adults with dancing and clapping; older nursery children joined songs and anticipated events in familiar stories. These are practical foundations for listening and speaking. Targeted checks on language development help staff identify children who need additional support.

Paint mixing gives children something concrete to investigate indoors: adults explain how colours combine and use questions to check understanding. Outside, story clues connect physical exploration with remembered reading. Balance beams, apparatus and hills provide opportunities to practise coordination and keep trying when a movement proves difficult. Learning also reaches beyond the campus through visits to shops and the local library, and children take flowers to care-home residents.

Participation needs attention, too. In March 2025, adults sometimes missed opportunities to adjust their teaching when individual children disengaged. The next steps were to adapt activities more consistently and communicate and apply behaviour expectations consistently. Families should weigh those points alongside the varied activities.

A well-established key person system gives children an adult who understands their interests, development and care needs. In March 2025, relationships were secure, and adults helped frustrated children practise sharing and taking turns. Staff supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) worked with families and other professionals to arrange timely help. This connects everyday care with support for learning.

Stay-and-play events give families opportunities to participate, while conversations, parent evenings and newsletters maintain contact. Meals are included in nursery charges. Children eat balanced snacks and meals, with routines that build independence: washing hands before eating, handling cutlery and pouring their own drinks.

Supervision and site security. In March 2025, children in the school’s early years were not consistently supervised during breaktime and lunchtime toilet visits, and risks associated with the shared leisure-centre site were inadequately managed. At the progress monitoring inspection on 23 January 2026, ISI found that all relevant Standards considered were met, with early years supervision maintained during breaks, toilet visits and meals. Staff ate alongside children; external doors were secured, vehicle badges controlled access, and a perimeter fence was being installed. These are consequential care arrangements on a shared site.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing childcare and securing a school place as separate decisions.

Preparation for the next stage starts in the nursery day. Language support, personal care and practice in taking turns build skills children can use in a classroom. In March 2025, children made good progress from their starting points and were prepared for their next stage of learning. That educational preparation does not establish an admissions advantage.

Opening hours are 7:30am to 6pm, with full-day, morning and afternoon attendance options. The 50-week calendar makes this relevant to families needing care beyond school terms. Applications are accepted throughout the year, subject to availability.

Oakhill accepts the LCC 15-hour and 30-hour nursery entitlements, childcare vouchers and Tax Free Childcare. Meals are included, and current nursery charges are available from the school. Wraparound care is also offered by enquiry.

Contact the nursery on 01254 824880 or nursery@oakhillschool.co.uk. Personal visits can be booked, giving families an opportunity to discuss their child’s interests and needs with staff before applying.