Three Bears Pre-School
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Christchurch for children from birth to 8+, open 08:00 to 15:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in February 2024. Open since 2005, with 40 places.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
BH23 2JRWhat 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 February 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are welcomed warmly by staff on arrival and settle in happily. Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour and help them to develop positive attitudes and social skills. Children listen well, share, and older children kindly support younger children when they need help. Staff celebrate children's achievements to encourage their confidence and self-esteem. For example, children proudly ring a bell and tell the group what they have achieved. Staff provide a structured routine to help children understand the changing activities throughout the day.
Children benefit from a well-balanced curriculum designed to help to them make good progress according to their individual needs. This includes focused adult-led activities as well as time for children to choose and lead their own play, such as creating models and exploring sensory resources. Staff provide new experiences to enrich children's learning, such as exploring Chinese New Year to learn about different cultures and beliefs. Children enjoy lots of outdoor play and active games to help support their physical development.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- develop more opportunities to enhance for children's mathematical development even further n develop the organisation of nappy-changing procedures to ensure children are not kept waiting unnecessarily and their play disrupted.
- 19 February 2024Good
- 15 October 2019Good
- 26 November 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Three Bears 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.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.