Sticky Fish Pre-School
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Bristol 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 November 2022. Open since 2009, with 27 places.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
BS16 5ASWhat 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, 23 November 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Staff are caring and provide a nurturing and welcoming environment at the preschool. Children receive lots of sensitive and thoughtful support to help them settle. They form strong and beneficial relationships with their key persons, and this helps to foster their confidence and well-being effectively. Staff are kind and patient. They provide consistent explanations when children struggle to understand expectations. Children learn to take turns, play cooperatively, and begin to manage their emotions.
The thoughtfully set up environment motivates children to explore and develop their skills. Children are busy and active in their exploration. They develop their physical skills well. Their confidence grows with reassurance from staff as they test out their skills. They traverse obstacle courses outside and learn to use equipment such as wheelbarrows, navigating the spaces well. They relish the many sensory opportunities available, painting, exploring sand and creating mixes in the outdoor play kitchen. Children learn about nature during sessions in the pre-school's wild garden. They develop positive attitudes to learning and make good progress, including children in receipt of additional funding.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- flexibly adapt planned activities to support children's involvement and learning as much as possible n strengthen the sharing of information with other settings that children attend to support a consistent approach across all aspects of children's lives.
- 23 November 2022Good
- 15 December 2016Good
- 31 January 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Sticky Fish 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.