At a glance

Partou Little Oaks Day Nursery and Pre-school in Accrington received a 5-star food hygiene rating after an inspection by environmental health officers. This rating, part of the UK-wide Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, reflects the nursery's high standards in food safety and cleanliness. The achievement highlights the dedication of the nursery's staff to maintaining excellent hygiene and providing nutritious meals.

Partou Little Oaks Day Nursery and Pre-school in Accrington has achieved a 5-star food hygiene rating following an inspection.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) is a UK-wide initiative run by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in partnership with local councils. Environmental health officers conduct unannounced inspections to assess food businesses. They rate premises on a scale from 0 to 5, with 5 being the highest possible score.

Nicola Sledden, Partou Little Oaks Nursery Manager, said: “We are ecstatic to have achieved our 5-star rating. This demonstrates the dedication of our amazing chef Paula. “She has focussed on embedding our healthy and nutritious meals across the nursery. “Paula liaises consistently with team members and families to ensure that dietary requirements are met. “She works exceptionally hard to ensure high standards for food hygiene and cleanliness are delivered each and every day.”

Located on Cannon Street, Partou Little Oaks provides high-quality childcare in the heart of Accrington. The setting includes a sheltered soft play area, front and back gardens, and a large sensory room with stimulating lights and colours designed for babies.

Elizabeth Watton, Hyndburn Borough Council Environmental Health Manager (Food and Safety), said: “Congratulations to Little Oaks Day Nursery and Pre- School as well as all the other businesses in Hyndburn who recently received a 5-star food hygiene rating. “During food safety inspections, our officers check how hygienically food is handled, the physical condition of the business (i.e. cleanliness) and how the business manages ways of keeping food safe, looking at processes, training and systems to ensure good hygiene is maintained. “A top rating such as this means that upon inspection, our officers found hygiene to be of a very good standard and fully compliant with the law. Keep up the good work.”

Laura Clay, Partou Regional Childcare Director, said: “Congratulations to Nicola, Paula and the team at Little Oaks on being awarded the highest achievable food hygiene rating. “It underlines the professionalism at the setting, together with a shared commitment to deliver the best possible childcare experience for local families.”

Editorial insight

Maintaining high standards of food hygiene is a core requirement for childcare providers, particularly as parents and regulators place increasing emphasis on safety and wellbeing in early years settings. A top rating from the Food Standards Agency’s inspection scheme is widely recognised as a mark of compliance and reassurance for families considering nursery options in the Accrington area.

While many nurseries aim to achieve the highest food hygiene standards, recognition through a 5-star rating can offer a practical advantage in building trust with local parents and supporting the nursery’s reputation in a competitive sector. For settings providing daily meals to young children, such endorsements also demonstrate that robust procedures are in place to meet dietary needs and maintain consistent quality.

Story ideas and journalist angles

Politics/policy

The Role of Environmental Health in Ensuring Community Safety

Investigate the role of environmental health officers in maintaining food hygiene standards, using Partou Little Oaks Nursery's recent 5-star rating as a case study.

Target audience regional newspapers, public affairs magazines Story potential 7/10 Local/community

Impact of Food Hygiene Ratings on Local Businesses

Explore how local businesses in Accrington, including Partou Little Oaks Nursery, benefit from high food hygiene ratings and what it means for community trust and business reputation.

Target audience local newspapers, community radio Story potential 8/10