Hollytree Community Pre-School
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Southampton for children from birth to 5, open 09:00 to 15:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in May 2021, though that is 5 years ago now. Open since 1976, with 26 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 Hampshire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Hampshire 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
SO52 9AQWhat 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, 27 May 2021 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children flourish at this pre-school where they feel a keen sense of belonging and are delighted about what they can achieve. They know what it is like to come back after an extended time at home as, for example, staff sent them photos of their pre-school. Children talk about these with their parents. They play and learn with a clear purpose because staff have high expectations of them and want the best for each child. Children settle quickly, are confident and demonstrate very good listening and attention skills. They willingly talk to adults. Children love to sit in the book corner and share their favourite book of the week with one another. For example, they sit holding up the book 'Shark in the park' opposite their friend and recite elements of the rhyming story. Children who are about to go to school show an exceptional understanding of linking sounds to letters. They are actively engaged and are enthusiastic during an adult-led activity. They proudly demonstrate what they know and can do. Children behave extremely well. They show safe behaviours and demonstrate they are extremely happy. Children with special educational needs seek out their key person to play with, knowing they will be given the help and support they need.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- develop the knowledge and the role of the special educational needs coordinator to help ensure swift early intervention is taken, following the progress check for children between the ages of two and three years.
- 27 May 2021Good
- 4 December 2019Inadequate
- 21 October 2014Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Hollytree Community 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.