Kennington Pre-School
GoodBirth to 5Long established
A pre-school in Oxford 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 2023. Open since 2017, with 36 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 Oxfordshire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Oxfordshire 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
OX1 5PPWhat 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, 5 May 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children arrive happy for their day at this pre-school and are welcomed by the friendly staff. They separate from their parents confidently. They show high levels of engagement in activities that the staff provide, and benefit from a curriculum that provides them with varied and enriching experiences.
Children form close relationships with staff who know them well and show that they feel safe and secure. Staff have high expectations for all children. They plan for children's individual needs and children show a good understanding of the routine of the nursery. They show positive attitudes towards their learning.
Children behave appropriately for their age. They manage conflicts with support from staff. Generally, staff use strategies to support them effectively with sharing and taking turns. Staff have high expectations for children. They model positive language, and children enjoy the praise they receive when they achieve a new skill.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- strengthen support for children to deal with their emotions and to understand what is expected of them, particularly during transitional times.
- 5 May 2023Good
- 19 May 2022Needs improvement
- 4 October 2021Inadequate
Rated Good or Outstanding at 1 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Kennington 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.