Pinecones Day Nursery
Good★ 5.0 on GoogleBirth to 5Long established
A day nursery in Southampton for children from birth to 5, open 08:00 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 October 2024. Open since 2024, with 48 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
SO40 3ZXWhat 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, 10 October 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are happy and are keen to start their day at this welcoming nursery. Staff take the time to get to know children's personalities, interests and abilities. Babies develop warm, trusting bonds with staff, who know them well. This helps them to feel safe and secure. Older children show confidence as they engage in their chosen play and seek out their friends. Staff make every effort to create a homely environment. They provide children with real life objects, such as tea pots, cups and saucers. Staff display photos of children with their families to develop a sense of belonging. Staff have clear expectations for behaviour. They remind children to tidy up after themselves and take care of the resources. This helps children to understand what is expected of them.
The curriculum is interesting and inviting. Staff plan creative ways to broaden children's experiences and curiosity. For example, babies enjoy exploring a range of natural resources, such as leaves and rice. They giggle as staff pour rice through their fingers and feel the 'crispy' leaves. Older children investigate pumpkins with interest. They delight in making 'potions' and carefully use real tools and utensils.
This helps to develop children's senses, fine motor skills and creativity. Staff adapt activities to take account of the age and abilities of the children taking part. This supports all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to make good progress.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- strengthen methods of coaching and mentoring to further enhance and build on the quality of staff practice to even higher levels.
- 10 October 2024Good
Still missing for Pinecones Day Nursery
- 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.