The Southville Centre Nursery
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Bristol for children from birth to 8+, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in May 2024. Open since 1992, with 109 places.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
BS3 1QGWhat 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.
- 3 February 2023 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
Ofsted inspector, 16 May 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children arrive happy and cheerful. They separate from their parents and carers with ease as the kind and caring staff come to greet them at the door. Children demonstrate feeling safe and secure, they form good relationships with the adults who care for them, and they make nice friendships with their peers. Staff are very respectful towards children especially when they are carrying out care practices.
For instance, they explain to children why they need to change their clothes when they are wet.
Leaders and staff provide a curriculum that is planned to build on what children know and can do, to help them to develop the skills that they need for their future learning. Older children become immersed in their play as they work out how to use funnels and pipes to transport water. Younger children explore how they can use resources to make different sounds. Overall children develop problem-solving skills and a can-do attitude to their learning.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- make better use of the partnerships with parents to involve them in supporting children's targeted learning at home n develop the organisation of groups times to promote children's focus and maximise learning opportunities.
- 16 May 2024Good
- 6 June 2023Needs improvement
- 7 September 2022Good
- 19 December 2014Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 4 graded inspections.
Still missing for The Southville Centre Nursery
- 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.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.