Hamilton Pre-School
OutstandingBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Bristol for children from birth to 8+, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in July 2024. Open since 1995, with 28 places.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
BS4 4HPWhat 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, 4 July 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children love coming to this exceptionally welcoming pre-school. They share very close relationships with the caring staff. This helps all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to progress very well, especially in their personal, social and emotional development. Children excitedly engage in meaningful activities from the start, spending time with their key person at the beginning of the day in a small, cosy space. They welcome each other warmly and talk about how they are feeling. This special time helps children to develop a strong sense of identity and self-worth.
Leaders and staff provide a broad and ambitious curriculum for both the inside and outside learning environments. For example, children experiment walking barefoot across tiles of different textures. Staff encourage children to try and explain what they can feel and help them with new words to describe the sensations, such as
'sticky', 'lumpy' and 'prickly'. Children have many opportunities outside to develop their imaginations and ideas. For example, they create a pathway with large blocks and planks across a sea of 'lava' in their 'dinosaur land' and delight in assisting members of staff across the 'danger' safely.
- 4 July 2024Outstanding
- 16 October 2018Outstanding
- 3 September 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Hamilton 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.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.