Southery Playgroup
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A day nursery in Downham Market for children from birth to 5, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in May 2022. Open since 1992, with 16 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 Norfolk
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Norfolk 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
PE38 0PAWhat 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, 19 May 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are happy when they arrive at the setting and are greeted by familiar staff members. Once inside, they quickly settle in their play, where there are a variety of activities on offer. Children register their written names and photos on the board to mark their attendance. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment.
The staff are vigilant. They complete risk assessments to ensure that the environment, resources and equipment are safe and suitable for children to use.
Staff create a rich, inviting environment, inside and outside, which provides familiar learning space for children. Children can easily select the toys they want to use from low-level shelves. Children move very confidently between play areas. Staff know children very well and understand their individual interests and learning styles. Children are curious and excited to explore the resources. They show good levels of engagement for their age, for example, as they use the water pump outside in the mud kitchen.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: - improve the already good partnership working with parents to provide the best support for children to reach their full potential and to swiftly narrow gaps in their learning n support staff to strengthen their knowledge of how to use skilful questioning techniques consistently so that children are given sufficient time to think and respond and can further develop their communication and language skills.
- 19 May 2022Good
- 8 June 2015Outstanding
- 19 November 2009Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Southery Playgroup
- 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.