Bowerhill Pre-School
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Melksham for children from birth to 5, open sessions in term time, often mornings. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in April 2025. Open since 2010, 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 Wiltshire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Wiltshire 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
SN12 6YHWhat 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, 28 April 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are welcomed by friendly staff as they arrive to start their day. They settle quickly and are happy to join in with routines. The key-person system is effective, allowing staff to build strong relationships with the children. Staff observe children closely, gaining a deep understanding of their individual needs and interests.
Children clearly enjoy coming to the pre-school and look to staff for reassurance as needed.
The provider has designed an ambitious curriculum that promotes children's wellbeing and prepares them for starting school. Routines are well established and support children to develop their independence. Children are encouraged to take responsibility for tasks, such as washing their own hands and pouring their own drinks. Staff teach children about the importance of sun safety and remind them to wear sun hats during outdoor play. In addition, healthy eating is promoted, and staff share information with parents to support their understanding and involvement in their child's well-being. Staff work in partnership with the local school to prepare children for their transition to school. All children make good progress from their starting points.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- refine the curriculum to provide older children with the support and learning they need to build more effectively on what they already know and can do and need to learn next n provide older children with greater challenge to build their confidence and strengthen peer relationships.
- 28 April 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 4 June 2019Good
- 20 April 2016Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Bowerhill Pre-School
- 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.