YMCA Woolston Day Nursery
Good★ 4.2 on GoogleBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Southampton for children from birth to 8+, open 07:30 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in July 2021, though that is 5 years ago now. Open since 2014, with 108 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 Southampton
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Southampton 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
SO19 9EFWhat 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, 1 July 2021 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children thrive in this large, very clean, airy nursery, alongside staff who support their needs well. They enjoy rich play and language experiences and show high levels of motivation and curiosity. Staff create an extremely vibrant and inviting environment to stimulate children. Children show great excitement and joy in their learning and development, particularly in the younger age groups. They are highly enthusiastic and active learners who quickly learn new skills and develop their knowledge. The leadership team has a clear understanding of the curriculum and high expectations of the staff and children. For example, two-year-olds listen animatedly to stories because staff have good teaching skills. They capture children's interest through excellent use of pause, pitch and tone in their voice.
They offer children varied questions and give clear explanations. Babies in particular feel extremely safe and happy. Staff tune into their individual needs effectively and have a good understanding of child development. Children across the nursery show excellent behaviour and very positive attitudes to learning. Older children show strong relationships and respect for their friends. For example, when one of their friends has an accident and is receiving first aid, they look on with great concern.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- continue to develop the quality of education, with emphasis on the quality of teaching practice with older children n strengthen the partnership with parents to enable them to continue their children's learning at home.
- 1 July 2021Good
- 30 October 2018Good
- 11 February 2016Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for YMCA Woolston Day 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.