Food
Nappies, wipes and meals to be provided by parents. Breakfast, milk and healthy snacks will be provided by Big Discoveries.
Big Discoveries Nursery
Ofsted: Outstanding
(Oct 2024)
Number of places
43 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2024
Local authority
Hampshire
About this day nursery
Big Discoveries Nursery, situated within the Portchester Community Centre in the heart of Portchester, Hampshire, offers a nurturing and stimulating environment for children aged 0 to 5. The nursery is committed to a child-focused approach, encouraging exploration and independent learning through easily accessible resources and free-flow access to an outdoor garden area.
With a recent "Outstanding" rating from Ofsted in October 2024 across all aspects of its provision, Big Discoveries prioritises a safe, happy, and caring atmosphere. Their vision is to cultivate a love for learning, empowering children to become curious, independent individuals who are confident, responsible citizens, and effective contributors to society, ultimately developing lifelong skills.
The nursery operates 49 weeks a year, closing for Easter and Christmas holidays, with daily opening hours from 8 am to 5 pm, excluding Bank Holidays. They also have limited availability for their youngest age group, so early contact is advised.
Our ethos
Big Discoveries Nursery is committed to a child-focused approach, encouraging exploration and independent learning. Their vision is to cultivate a love for learning, empowering children to become curious, independent individuals who are confident, responsible citizens, and effective contributors to society, ultimately developing lifelong skills.
What it's like
Staff provide exceptional support for all children's learning, planning a highly ambitious curriculum that is adapted to meet children's needs, such as additional support for physical skills. Children are extremely confident and independent, learning from older children who act as fantastic role models. This finely-tuned approach supports all children to make excellent progress.
Ofsted Outstanding
Pricing & funding
The nursery charges an hourly rate for hours attended outside of government funding. Funded sessions are subject to food and non-food consumables charges, though a free opt-out session is available. Parents are required to provide nappies, wipes, and meals, while breakfast, milk, and healthy snacks are included.
Funding accepted
15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
- Hourly Rate (2 years and under)£8.10 / hour
- Morning session (2 years and under)£40.50 / session
- Afternoon Session (2 years and under)£32.40 / session
- School Day (2 years and under)£48.60 / day
- Longer School Day (2 years and under)£56.70 / day
Good to know
- Consumables charges apply to funded hours, covering food and non-food resources.
- Parents can opt out of additional charges by booking specific funded sessions from 1pm to 3pm over 49 weeks.
- Additional hours attended outside of government funding are charged at an hourly rate.
- Exemptions from additional charges apply to children meeting specific local authority or low-income criteria.
- Parents must provide nappies, wipes, and main meals.
- Breakfast, milk, and healthy snacks are provided by the nursery.
Key facts
Opening hours
Monday-Friday 08:00-17:00
Age range
0-5
Term time / All Year
All Year
Established
2017
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Big Discoveries Nursery
Last inspected 17 October 2024 · Emma Dean
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
What it's like to attend
Staff provide exceptional support for all children's learning, planning a highly ambitious curriculum that is adapted to meet children's needs, such as additional support for physical skills. Children are extremely confident and independent, learning from older children who act as fantastic role models. This finely-tuned approach supports all children to make excellent progress.
Inspector highlights
- Leaders are highly passionate and empower staff to be champions, resulting in an exceptionally strong team.
- Leaders identify curriculum changes needed and invest heavily in staff development, particularly in speech and language interventions.
- Partnerships with parents are extremely strong, with staff and leaders ensuring parents are informed and engaged with their children's learning.
- Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive highly individualised support, enabling them to make excellent progress.
- Children are highly motivated by the superb outdoor learning environment, offering many opportunities they may not have at home, such as growing trees.
Inspection #10364249 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents report on the exceptional communication by staff and leaders and the outstanding and highly reassuring support they offer.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) benefit from highly individualised support. All staff know how to support children with SEND. This inclusive practice ensures that children make excellent progress. Staff use additional funding very effectively, such as to provide wide entry doorways in dens for children to easily access and play in.
Outdoor space
Children are highly motivated by the superb outdoor learning environment that staff provide. Staff offer children many opportunities they may not have at home, such as growing trees. There are amazing spaces for children to explore and the natural world to discover.
Parent Reviews of Big Discoveries Nursery
5.0
(2)
Charlotte Manning
4 years ago
After switching our daughter from another nursery twice it very quickly became clear that Big Discoveries wasn’t like the others! They really do care about your children like you do and really engage with teaching your children life skills and everything you want them to learn before school. We quickly could see that our little girl finally felt comfortable and wasn’t crying at drop off anymore, she was happy and loved going into nursery! She comes home messy most days which to me is a sign she has had a good busy day 😊 All the staff are friendly and very helpful, they have handled Covid perfectly and I honestly can’t fault them, I would recommend them to anyone looking for a childcare provider in the area
Read on Google
Joan Fan
a year ago
Reviews from Google for Big Discoveries Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Improved from Good → Outstanding in 2024
Date: January 2019
- October 2024Outstanding
- January 2019Good
Frequently asked about Big Discoveries Nursery
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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more