West End Pre-School
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A pre-school in Southampton for children from birth to 8+, open 08:00 to 15:30, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in September 2023. Open since 1979, with 30 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 Hampshire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Hampshire 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
SO30 3DUWhat 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, 21 September 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children show a keen sense of belonging at this welcoming pre-school. On arrival, they are warmly welcomed by staff and settle quickly into the routine. Children independently put their belongings away, find their names to self-register and enjoy a calm start to the day. They form close bonds with staff, who are sensitive and attentive to children's care needs. This helps them feel safe and secure.
Staff carry out home visits before children start, to gather important information from parents about children's interests and find what they can already do. This helps them to plan a meaningful learning environment that engages and motivates children to explore and learn more. For example, children who have an interest in scooters and tricycles, practise whizzing and manoeuvring around obstacles in the garden, displaying great control. This contributes to children's development of good physical skills. Staff support children's understanding of why exercise is important.
They talk to children about the impact on their bodies when making healthier food choices.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- strengthen the monitoring of staff practice and target support as necessary to maintain consistently high standards of care and education for all children.
- 21 September 2023Good
- 22 January 2018Outstanding
- 23 September 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for West End 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.