Southmead Children's Centre
Good★ 4.8 on GoogleBirth to 8+Long established
A pre-school in Bristol for children from birth to 8+, open 08:00 to 17:30, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in February 2022. Open since 2017, with 28 places.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
BS10 5PWWhat 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.
- 18 November 2024 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
- 14 August 2024 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
- 28 November 2023 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
- 6 October 2021 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
Ofsted inspector, 1 February 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are warmly greeted as they excitedly attend this setting. On the way to their rooms, they have access to resources designed to promote their curiosity, such as exploration of natural resources and dual-language books. This supports children to begin their learning as they wait to enter their rooms.
Staff are kind and nurturing towards children. They build good relationships, which helps children to settle quickly. Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the setting as they engage in fun activities with their friends and staff. On occasions when children become upset, they seek out staff to comfort them.
The manager and staff strive to make the setting inclusive for all the children who attend. They carefully consider the resources and activities on offer to make it accessible for all, while ensuring that the most-able children continue to be challenged. For example, the large water play area has a higher and lower water tray. This enables all children to reach.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- provide more opportunities for children to develop their levels of independence n consistently encourage children to develop good manners.
- 1 February 2022Good
- 16 September 2021Inadequate
Rated Good or Outstanding at 1 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Southmead Children's Centre
- 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.