Bathampton Playgroup
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Bath for children from birth to 5, open 08:30 to 15:00, 4 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in April 2023. Open since 1977, with 20 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Bath and North East Somerset
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Bath and North East Somerset from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
BA2 6ULWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 26 April 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children settle exceptionally well and eagerly engage in the prepared activities. For example, they manipulate dough, recognising shapes, such as a circle. They make the dough into a ring, demonstrating that it is too big for their finger. Children choose where they prefer to learn, indoors or outdoors, and become independent in their learning. For example, staff play games with children to enhance their memory. Children select a box game, set it up and take turns, understanding the rules and purpose. Children's behaviour is exemplary and younger children learn from the older ones, who share without needing adult support. For example, older children wait on log seats for their turn on the swing and let others have a go when requested. Children are very confident in this setting. They greet the inspector, ask questions and are inquisitive.
Staff recognise the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on some children's development. They provide focused support so that all children, including those with special educational needs, make the best progress they can. Children enjoy looking at their development records with staff, who encourage them to recall previous activities and the progress they have made. They recognise their friends and have plenty of time to ask and answer questions.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- help older children to consider risks and problems, and how to manage them for themselves.
- 26 April 2023Good
- 13 September 2017Good
- 1 March 2017Needs improvement
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Bathampton Playgroup
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.