Carousel Nursery School
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Portsmouth for children from birth to 8+, open 07:30 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in July 2024. Open since 2016, with 60 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 Portsmouth
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Portsmouth 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
PO2 8NDWhat 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.
- 27 November 2024 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
Ofsted inspector, 11 July 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children separate from their parents with ease as they happily enter this friendly and welcoming nursery. They independently find their peg to place their bag and coat on before running over to their friends. Children display a strong sense of belonging and show that they feel safe and secure. For example, babies crawl over to staff and spontaneously cuddle them. Staff respond with a smile, showing genuine warmth and kindness.
Children benefit from a fun and stimulating curriculum to support their individual needs. Staff identify what children need to learn next and then plan a suitable range of learning experiences. Children show high levels of enthusiasm as they sing a special graduation song. For example, children sway from side to side and join in with the actions that go with the song. They giggle with delight as they recall that they will soon sing this song to their parents. Staff enthusiastically join in with the children and give them praise for their efforts.
Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour. Staff are good role models and support children to resolve any minor conflicts swiftly. Children display kindness towards their friends. For example, they pass one another train track pieces as they work together to build a train track. Staff praise children for their efforts, causing them to smile.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- develop the organisation of group activities to ensure that all children, including those who are younger or less confident, are able to benefit from the learning opportunities that they provide.
- 11 July 2024Good
- 3 October 2018Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Carousel Nursery 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.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.