Nurseries in Cumberland

There are 71 nurseries and pre-schools on the Ofsted register in Cumberland council area, and 5 other childcare settings such as out-of-school clubs.

Inspection grades in Cumberland

Ofsted report cards: 10 settings (12 Strong standard, 41 Expected standard, 7 Needs attention)
Ofsted grades before November 2025: 55 settings (8 Outstanding, 47 Good)

Grades are shown only where the inspectorate has published the report.

Childminders and home childcarers

57 registered childminders in Cumberland (Ofsted childcare register, as at 30 June 2026)
3 registered home childcarers in Cumberland (Ofsted childcare register, as at 30 June 2026)
2 childcare settings in private homes in Cumberland (Ofsted childcare register, as at 30 June 2026)

Childminders look after children in their own homes. We show how many are registered, not who they are.

Nurseries and pre-schools

Abacus Children's Day Nursery - Day nursery, Carlisle CA5 7NY, ages 0 to 3, 60 places
Ofsted report card, 21 September 2026: Strong standard in 1 area, Expected standard in 5 areas; safeguarding standards met
Abbeytown Pre-School Playgroup - Pre-school, Wigton CA7 4RU, ages 2 to 3, 15 places
Ofsted, 9 November 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
ABC Day Nursery - Day nursery, Whitehaven CA28 7PG, ages 0 to 4, 54 places
Ofsted, 7 December 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Ballyhoo Boutique Nursery - Day nursery, Carlisle CA2 5TU, ages 1 to 4, 38 places
Ofsted report card, 3 July 2026: Strong standard in 3 areas, Expected standard in 3 areas; safeguarding standards met
Beckermet Nursery CIO - Day nursery, Beckermet CA21 2YD, ages 1 to 5, 55 places
Ofsted report card, 9 April 2026: Strong standard in 4 areas, Expected standard in 2 areas; safeguarding standards met
Blh Childcare Unit - Day nursery, Wigton CA7 8PA, ages 0 to 4, 35 places
Ofsted, 13 March 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Busy Bees Day Nursery - Day nursery, Whitehaven CA28 6SF, ages 0 to 3, 19 places
Ofsted, 28 November 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Cherry Tree Nursery - Day nursery, Carlisle CA1 2SQ, ages 0 to 3, 60 places
Ofsted report card, 16 January 2026: Expected standard in 4 areas, Needs attention in 2 areas; safeguarding standards met
Craigdene - Pre-school, Carlisle CA5 7ND
Crosby Nursery - Day nursery, Carlisle CA6 4QP, ages 0 to 11, 57 places
Ofsted, 15 December 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Discovery Childcare - Day nursery, Carlisle CA6 4SJ, ages 0 to 4, 33 places
Ofsted, 24 June 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
First Friends Nursery and Pre-School - Day nursery, Carlisle CA2 7PT, ages 2 to 4, 26 places
Ofsted, 26 April 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Footsteps Nursery - Day nursery, Workington CA14 5BD, ages 0 to 4, 108 places
Ofsted, 25 October 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Frizington Nursery School - Day nursery, Frizington CA26 3PF, ages 1 to 3, 26 places
Ofsted, 3 August 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Gosforth C of E Primary School and Nursery - Day nursery, Seascale CA20 1AZ, ages 1 to 4, 52 places
Ofsted report card, 6 October 2026: Strong standard in 2 areas, Expected standard in 4 areas; safeguarding standards met
Greystone Nursery - Day nursery, Carlisle CA1 2HA, ages 2 to 4, 35 places
Ofsted, 31 January 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Happy Hours Private Day Nursery - Day nursery, Workington CA14 1NP, ages 0 to 4, 87 places
Ofsted, 25 August 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Happy Hours Private Day Nursery - Day nursery, Whitehaven CA28 6RS, ages 0 to 4, 84 places
Ofsted, 15 February 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Haverigg Nursery & The Clubbers - Day nursery, Haverigg LA18 4HA, ages 0 to 11, 45 places
Ofsted, 24 October 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Home from Home Nursery - Day nursery, Carlisle CA2 5NB, ages 0 to 4, 47 places
Ofsted, 18 October 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Houghton Nursery Group - Day nursery, Houghton, Carlisle CA3 0PA, ages 2 to 4, 30 places
Ofsted, 9 November 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
HowGill Centre Nursery - Day nursery, Whitehaven CA28 9PQ, ages 2 to 3, 20 places
Ofsted report card, 11 February 2026: Expected standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
Howgill Family Centre - Day nursery, Cleator Moor CA25 5HR, ages 0 to 3, 68 places
Ofsted, 22 November 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
It Takes A Village Nursery And Pre-School - Day nursery, Carlisle CA2 5XW, 77 places
Jack and Jill Nursery Limited - Day nursery, Carlisle CA3 9NH, ages 0 to 14, 28 places
Ofsted, 16 December 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Jelly Tots - Day nursery, Wigton CA7 4DD, ages 0 to 9, 18 places
Ofsted, 12 December 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Kinder Park Nursery Services Limited - Day nursery, Carlisle CA1 1LJ, ages 0 to 4, 50 places
Ofsted, 13 July 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Kip McGrath Education Centre Carlisle - Pre-school, Carlisle CA3 8RN
Learning Land Nursery - Day nursery, Workington CA14 2DW, 109 places
Little Explorers - Day nursery, Cleator Moor CA25 5QB, ages 0 to 4, 50 places
Ofsted, 31 March 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Little Explorers Whitehaven - Day nursery, Whitehaven CA28 9HX, ages 1 to 4, 88 places
Ofsted report card, 26 August 2026: Strong standard in 2 areas, Expected standard in 4 areas; safeguarding standards met
Little Jems Nursery - Day nursery, Carlisle CA1 2EH, ages 0 to 11, 49 places
Ofsted, 8 February 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Little Learners Nursery and Beach School - Day nursery, Egremont CA22 2BD, ages 0 to 4, 85 places
Ofsted, 13 February 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Little Monkeys Day Nursery - Day nursery, Keswick CA12 5RY, ages 0 to 4, 36 places
Ofsted, 15 June 2023: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Little Owls Nursery (Carlisle) Limited - Day nursery, Carlisle CA1 1PE, ages 0 to 4, 52 places
Ofsted, 14 October 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Little Stars (Workington) Limited - Day nursery, Workington CA14 5PT, ages 0 to 4, 34 places
Ofsted, 19 July 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Lowmoor Beckside - Day nursery, Wigton CA7 9AS, ages 1 to 3, 24 places
Ofsted report card, 24 July 2026: Expected standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
Lowmoor Nursery - Day nursery, Wigton CA7 8AA, ages 0 to 4, 53 places
Ofsted, 7 April 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Mary Platt Methodist Pre-School - Pre-school, Cockermouth CA13 9RH, ages 2 to 3, 29 places
Ofsted, 30 November 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Mayo Kindergarten - Day nursery, Cockermouth CA13 0BY, ages 1 to 4, 26 places
Ofsted, 17 September 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Messyhands Childcare - Day nursery, Carlisle CA5 6NA, ages 0 to 4, 24 places
Ofsted, 18 September 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Millom Stepping Stones - Day nursery, Millom LA18 4LE, ages 0 to 5, 42 places
Ofsted, 23 July 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Mother Goose Day Nursery - Day nursery, Carlisle CA2 7AY, ages 0 to 4, 45 places
Ofsted, 15 September 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Munchkins Nursery - Day nursery, Carlisle CA2 7AN, ages 0 to 4, 75 places
Ofsted report card, 24 March 2026: Expected standard in 5 areas, Needs attention in 1 area; safeguarding standards met
Newtown Community Learning Center t/a First Steps Day Nursery - Day nursery, Carlisle CA2 7LW, ages 0 to 4, 68 places
Ofsted, 24 June 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Newtown Road Day Nursery - Day nursery, Carlisle CA2 7JH, ages 0 to 4, 49 places
Ofsted, 13 June 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Parkfield Nursery - Day nursery, Carlisle CA2 5PG, ages 0 to 4, 42 places
Ofsted, 8 November 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Pear Tree Nursery - Day nursery, Carlisle CA6 5UG, ages 0 to 4, 41 places
Ofsted, 19 September 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
PJ's Nursery - Day nursery, Seascale CA20 1ND, ages 1 to 11, 26 places
Ofsted, 8 December 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Playroom Day Nursery - Day nursery, Whitehaven CA28 8PF, ages 2 to 3, 38 places
Ofsted, 19 March 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Plumbland Pre School Playgroup - Pre-school, Wigton CA7 2DQ, ages 2 to 5, 12 places
Ofsted, 4 October 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Poppies Child Care (Cumbria) Ltd - Day nursery, Workington CA14 4PJ, ages 0 to 4, 24 places
Ofsted, 6 February 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Rainbow Nursery - Day nursery, Egremont CA22 2ET, ages 0 to 4, 43 places
Ofsted, 23 November 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Rockcliffe - Pre-school, Carlisle CA6 4BH
Rosehill Day Nursery - Day nursery, Carlisle CA1 2UT, ages 0 to 4
Ofsted, 25 July 2023: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Scotby Pre-School - Pre-school, Carlisle CA4 8BW, ages 2 to 4, 26 places
Ofsted, 12 October 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
St. Aidan's Day Nursery - Day nursery, Carlisle CA1 3SL, ages 0 to 7, 60 places
Ofsted, 18 January 2024: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Stanwix Community Pre-School - Day nursery, Carlisle CA3 9DJ, ages 2 to 4, 20 places
Ofsted, 16 November 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Stepping Stones Day Nursery - Day nursery, Maryport CA15 6LD, ages 0 to 4, 65 places
Ofsted, 24 May 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
St Michael's Pre-School Nursery - Pre-school, Carlisle CA5 7QB, ages 2 to 4, 26 places
Ofsted, 21 February 2024: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Stone Eden Nursery School Limited - Day nursery, Carlisle CA4 8AD, ages 0 to 4, 75 places
Ofsted, 21 November 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Strawberry How Nursery School - Day nursery, Cockermouth CA13 9XR, ages 0 to 4, 81 places
Ofsted, 8 August 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Sure Start Children's Centre - Day nursery, Whitehaven CA28 7PA, ages 2 to 4, 20 places
Ofsted, 11 July 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
The Manor Preschool Nursery - Day nursery, Carlisle CA2 6JP, ages 2 to 4, 26 places
Ofsted, 29 April 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Toddler Town Nursery Ltd - Day nursery, Workington CA14 2RZ, ages 1 to 4, 30 places
Ofsted, 11 October 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Watchtree Education Services - Pre-school, Carlisle CA5 6NL
Wendy House Nursery (Carlisle) Limited - Day nursery, Carlisle CA2 4AB, ages 1 to 4, 111 places
Ofsted report card, 25 June 2026: Expected standard in 2 areas, Needs attention in 4 areas; safeguarding standards met
Westnewton Pre School - Pre-school, Wigton CA7 3NT, ages 2 to 4, 20 places
Ofsted, 1 November 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Wetheral Playschool - Day nursery, Wetheral CA4 8HE, ages 2 to 4, 24 places
Ofsted, 5 July 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Willow Tree Nursery - Day nursery, Carlisle CA2 4BA, ages 0 to 4, 60 places
Ofsted, 18 September 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Yewkids Nursery at Yewdale Community Centre - Day nursery, Carlisle CA2 7TH, ages 2 to 4, 26 places
Ofsted, 13 May 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective

Out-of-school clubs and other childcare

Inglewood Wraparound Care - Out-of-school club, Carlisle CA1 3LX, 30 places
Lorton After School Club - Out-of-school club, Cockermouth CA13 9UL, 30 places
Stagecoach Carlisle - Out-of-school club, Carlisle CA2 6LB
Stagecoach Cockermouth - Out-of-school club, Cockermouth CA13 0QY
St Bridget's Kids Club - Out-of-school club, Cockermouth CA13 0TU, 24 places

Nursery groups with settings here

Howgill Family Centre (3 here)

Ofsted report cards (England, from November 2025)

Since 10 November 2025 Ofsted has graded nurseries and pre-schools on a report card. There is no single overall grade. Instead, each of six areas gets one of five grades: Exceptional, Strong standard, Expected standard, Needs attention, Urgent improvement.

The six areas are inclusion; curriculum and teaching; achievement; behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines; children's welfare and wellbeing; leadership and governance. Safeguarding is judged on its own, as met or not met.

Expected standard means the setting does what Ofsted expects of every setting. Strong standard and Exceptional are above that; Needs attention and Urgent improvement mean Ofsted found things the setting has to put right.

Source: Ofsted reports

Ofsted grades before November 2025 (England)

Inspections before November 2025 gave one overall grade on a four-point scale: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement, Inadequate. Ofsted also graded the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management, and said whether safeguarding was effective.

Settings keep their last grade until Ofsted visits again, so many nurseries still show a grade from this older scale.

Source: Ofsted reports

Funded childcare hours in England

All 3 and 4 year olds in England can get 15 hours of free childcare a week, for 38 weeks of the year.

Working parents of children aged 9 months to 4 years old can get 30 hours of free childcare a week for 38 weeks of the year (Free Childcare for Working Parents), if they meet the earnings rules. You confirm your details every 3 months.

Some 2 year olds can get 15 hours a week when the family gets certain kinds of extra support.

The hours are used at a registered provider that offers them, so ask each nursery how it offers the funded hours.

Source: GOV.UK: Free Childcare for Working Parents, check if you're eligible · GOV.UK: Free childcare and education for 2 to 4 year olds (checked 31 October 2026)

Towns in Cumberland

Schools in Cumberland

Schools in Cumberland council area
Cleator Moor Nursery School - Nursery
Frizington Nursery School - Nursery
Parkview Nursery School - Nursery
Allonby Primary School - Primary
All Saints' CofE School - Primary
Arlecdon Primary School - Primary
Ashfield Infant & Nursery School - Primary
Ashfield Junior School - Primary
Bassenthwaite Primary School - Primary
Beckermet CofE School - Primary
Beckstone Primary School - Primary
Belle Vue Primary School - Primary

Sources: Ofsted, registers as at 30 June 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.