Priory Parkside Pre-school
Good★ 4.5 on GoogleBirth to 5Long established
A pre-school in Dunstable 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 January 2023. Open since 2013, with 40 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 Central Bedfordshire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Central Bedfordshire 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
LU5 5PYWhat 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, 16 January 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are secure and settled. They thoroughly enjoy attending this warm, welcoming pre-school. Children reflect staff's enthusiasm and excitement. For instance, children listen intently and follow instructions as they enthusiastically join in with a parachute activity. They move the parachute slowly and quickly, working together to keep small balls on top of it. Activities such as this also help children to develop their physical skills, such as control and coordination. Children have positive attitudes and persevere at tasks. For example, they are pleased when they learn how to catch fish using magnetic fishing rods. Children are kind and caring, for instance, passing one another toys and readily taking turns. They learn about their community and other ways of life, for example through fundraising events and activities to celebrate festivals.
Staff understand the possible effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns. They noted that children's communication skills were a weaker area and offer additional support to develop these skills. Children learn how to keep themselves safe. For instance, they learn how to use scissors and other tools safely and effectively. Children have opportunities to learn about healthy lifestyles. For example, they use role-play dentist equipment and practise cleaning model teeth.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- help staff to better manage periods of transition, such as mealtimes and when children are waiting to go home n support staff to consistently follow the pre-school's agreed approaches to promoting children's independence.
- 16 January 2023Good
- 13 June 2017Good
- 22 November 2016Needs improvement
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Priory Parkside 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.