Best nurseries in Thornton (Wyre)
12 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools in Wyre, best Ofsted result first: the latest report card or overall grade, then the most recent inspection. Childminders are not listed (Ofsted does not publish their addresses).
| # | Nursery | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Explorers Cleveleys Full day care · 55 places · FY5 2JG | Outstanding (2024) |
| 2 | Little Explorers Full day care · 50 places · FY5 2RX | Outstanding (2024) |
| 3 | Little Explorers, Carleton Sessional day care · 63 places · FY6 7NU | Outstanding (2022) |
| 4 | Carleton Childcare Full day care · 46 places · FY6 7PE | Good (2024) |
| 5 | Sacred Heart Pre-School Full day care · 22 places · FY5 4HL | Good (2024) |
| 6 | Thornton Pre-School Playgroup Full day care · 26 places · FY5 5BJ | Good (2024) |
| 7 | Kids Planet Thornton Full day care · 40 places · FY5 2TX | Good (2024) |
| 8 | Windmill Day Nursery Full day care · 49 places · FY5 2TZ | Good (2024) |
| 9 | Chestnut Cherubs Full day care · 40 places · FY5 4LD | Good (2022) |
| 10 | Marmalade Nursery Full day care · 63 places · FY5 4PW | Good (2022) |
| 11 | Oak Tree Nursery School Stanah Full day care · 36 places · FY5 5JR | Report card: 5 expected (Jan 2026) |
| 12 | MiChild Little Thornton Full day care · 56 places · FY5 5HQ | Not yet inspected |
How much does nursery cost in Thornton (Wyre)?
Typical weekly nursery prices for a child under two in North West, from the Coram Childcare Survey 2026. A guide only: ask each nursery for its own fees.
Working parents in England can get 30 funded hours a week in term time from when their child is 9 months old, so a 25-hour place can cost little or nothing in term time. Every 3 and 4 year old gets at least 15 funded hours. Funded hours cover 38 weeks a year; nurseries can charge for extra hours, meals and activities. Check what you can get at Childcare Choices.
Questions
What are the best nurseries in Thornton (Wyre)?
Of 12 nurseries and pre-schools in Thornton (Wyre), 3 have Ofsted's top results (Outstanding, or mostly strong or exceptional on the new report card). Listed first: Little Explorers Cleveleys, Little Explorers, Little Explorers, Carleton.
How much does nursery cost in Thornton (Wyre)?
In North West, a part-time place (25 hours a week) for a child under two typically costs £178 a week without funded hours (Coram Childcare Survey 2026). Working parents can get 30 funded hours a week in term time from 9 months.
How many nurseries are there in Thornton (Wyre)?
12 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools, 11 of them inspected so far.
Neighbourhoods
Cleveleys East · Thornton East & Carleton West · Thornton West
Source: Ofsted early years inspections. Ofsted's report card (from November 2025) grades curriculum, achievement, behaviour, children's welfare and leadership as exceptional, strong, expected, needs attention or urgent improvement; earlier inspections gave one overall grade.