Red Dragon Pre-School
GoodBirth to 5Long established
A pre-school in Abingdon 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 2013, 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 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
OX14 4DRWhat 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, 18 July 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are confident, happy and independent at this welcoming pre-school. They arrive with excitement for their day ahead. Children chat with each other as they put away their belongings. Staff warmly receive every child with a personal greeting. Children follow the staff's lead, showing compassion and kindness towards each other. For example, the younger ones respond with a big smile when asked by the older children if they are alright. This helps to create an atmosphere of care and mutual respect.
Children understand and follow the rules which are the same at the neighbouring school. This aids a smooth transition for those children who are ready for their move to this school. Staff praise children and award a 'kindness token', when they are spotted following these rules. Children talk with enthusiasm about going to school. Staff prepare them well and work closely with early years teachers to plan suitable activities and ensure continuity. For instance, children practise putting on a school uniform, fastening buttons and changing back again.
Leaders and staff identify the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on children's opportunities to learn about the local area. They ensure that children have ample opportunities to experience being outdoors, such as visiting the local farm shop to buy ingredients for baking. These experiences help children gain good social skills and a growing vocabulary.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- enhance arrangements to monitor and reflect on staff practice to ensure all teaching is of a consistently high standard n improve planning and organisation of adult-led activities to ensure the quieter children receive quality support in their learning.
- 18 July 2023Good
- 11 January 2018Good
- 11 June 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Red Dragon 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.