Nursery Advice
Claim Your Nursery

Combe Pre-School

Ofsted: Good
(Jun 2023)
·Methodist School Room, Park Road, Combe, Witney, OX29 8NA · Oxfordshire
Number of places
24 places
Age range
2–5 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2023
Local authority
Oxfordshire

About this day nursery

Combe Pre-School operates as a voluntary pre-school, dedicated to delivering high-quality education and childcare for young children. It thrives on the support of its qualified staff and a vibrant committee of parent volunteers, all working to meet the needs of families and regulatory bodies.

The pre-school prides itself on fostering a harmonious, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment where children are encouraged to build friendships and explore through free play. The philosophy centres on the belief that children learn most effectively when pursuing their own interests, leading to deeper engagement.

The pre-school aims for each child to develop confidence and independence, preparing them for their transition to primary school. They emphasise strong partnerships with parents, encouraging their active involvement in the pre-school community.

Combe Pre-School offers an affordable, stimulating environment, valuing each child as a unique individual and providing a tailored curriculum that leads to early learning goals. Their commitment to inclusivity extends to welcoming families from diverse backgrounds, including those with additional needs or disabilities, ensuring accessibility for all.

As a registered charity, they actively encourage parental support in fundraising efforts to continually enhance their services and resources.

Our ethos

Our Pre-school provides a harmonious, nurturing, fun and inclusive learning community, where all the children are encouraged to establish friendships and explore and learn through free play. We believe children learn best when they follow their own interests, so their play is more meaningful, and they become deeply engaged in their play. It is our expectation that each child will grow in confidence and independence before their transition to school. We work in partnership with parents and actively encourage them to become involved in all aspects in the life of our Pre-school.

What it's like

Children show a strong determination to finish activities and are eager and enthusiastic to learn. Staff introduce new ideas and experiences, using technology resourcefully to broaden children's knowledge. Children develop close friendships, learning to deal with frustrations and showing care and compassion for each other.

Voluntary Pre-SchoolParent Committee SupportNurturing & Inclusive LearningChild-Led PlayCharity-run

Pricing & funding

The nursery charges fees that are rounded where appropriate, with updated rates taking effect from April 2026. A voluntary daily snack contribution is requested to cover healthy snacks. Parents can choose to provide a packed lunch or purchase cooked school meals directly through the school's external provider.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-oldsTax-Free Childcare
  • 2 year old hourly rate£8.00 / hour
  • 3 year old hourly rate£6.80 / hour
  • Snack contribution£0.50 / day

Good to know

  • New fees come into effect on 13th April 2026.
  • A voluntary snack contribution of 50p per day is requested, with an option to opt out.
  • Parents can provide a packed lunch or pay the school's meal provider directly for cooked school dinners.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, from 8.50am to 2.50pm for pre-school children, and 3pm to 6pm for children after school.

Session types

Early AM, AM, AM + Lunch, AM + PM, AM + PM extended, All-Day, PM only, ASC only

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Established

1992

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Combe Pre-School

Last inspected 6 June 2023

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children show a strong determination to finish activities and are eager and enthusiastic to learn. Staff introduce new ideas and experiences, using technology resourcefully to broaden children's knowledge. Children develop close friendships, learning to deal with frustrations and showing care and compassion for each other.

Inspector highlights

  • Children learn to be self-sufficient through routine experiences, such as getting their own drinks and putting on their shoes.
  • Staff use observations of children's play effectively to introduce new experiences and enhance their natural inquisitiveness.
  • Staff have a strong understanding of language development, using simplified words for younger children and extending older children's vocabulary.
  • Staff extensively encourage children to explore and experiment with the world around them, introducing natural materials and promoting environmental responsibility.
  • Children's behaviour is managed positively, and they learn to share, take turns, and show care towards others.

Areas to develop

  • 1organise transition times between activities more effectively to provide a more consistent approach to purposeful learning.
Inspection #10288940 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

Outdoor space

Children are extremely confident in their play environment. Younger children, who are new to the setting, freely explore their play space, inside and outside, to develop familiarity and confidence.

Inspection history

Date: July 2014

  • June 2023Good
  • November 2017Good
  • July 2014Good

Frequently asked about Combe Pre-School

Nearby day nurseries in Combe, Witney

Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Combe Pre-School.

Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details.

Claim listing

Share this nursery

Send to a partner, friend or family member.

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