Marlbrook Pre-School
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Bromsgrove 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 July 2023. Open since 2009, with 24 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 Worcestershire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Worcestershire 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
B60 1EDWhat 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, 6 July 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are greeted warmly by the friendly staff who meet them at the door. They settle quickly in the well-planned environment. Staff offer a wide range of learning opportunities to meet the needs and interests of the children. They allow children to take the lead in their learning, and they introduce concepts to the children while they play. For example, children dig for buried 'coins' and are encouraged to count them. They are introduced to further mathematical vocabulary such as 'more' and
'less'. Children excitedly engage in activities. They dress up as pirates, and staff suggest ideas for their play, such as sailing in a large cardboard 'ship' and singing along with staff.
Children develop secure attachments with the caring staff and feel comfortable contributing confidently in group discussions. Staff are positive role models. They reinforce behaviour expectations and often refer to the 'golden rules'. Children behave very well, and staff praise children's achievements and efforts. This helps to develop children's confidence and resilience.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: - allow children more thinking time when questions are asked of them so they can fully process their ideas to give a response n help all children to take responsibility for their environment by routinely expecting children to tidy up after they have finished playing.
- 6 July 2023Good
- 7 November 2017Good
- 14 March 2017Needs improvement
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Marlbrook 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.