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Lydlynch Preschool

Ofsted: Urgent improvement·
5.0(3 parent reviews) ·Lydlynch Infant School, Lydlynch Road, Totton, SO40 3DW · Hampshire
Number of places
28 places
Age range
2–5 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2026
Local authority
Hampshire

About this day nursery

Lydlynch Preschool, located within Lydlynch Infant School in Totton, Southampton (SO40 3DW), has been providing childcare on non-domestic premises since its registration in 2005. The setting operates Monday to Friday, from 8am to 3:15pm, term-time only, and additionally offers a breakfast club for children attending Lydlynch Infant School from 8am each morning.

The preschool caters to children aged 2 to 4 years old, supporting 38 children on roll with a total capacity for 28 places. The dedicated team consists of nine staff members, including a manager with a level 5 qualification and four staff with level 3 early years qualifications.

Lydlynch Preschool received a "Good" rating in its latest Ofsted inspection on 22nd September 2022, maintaining its "Good" overall effectiveness from the previous inspection in 2016. The provision is committed to supporting each child's development, with particular focus on communication and language skills, as well as providing tailored support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Children enjoy a stimulating environment that encourages independence, creativity, and a love for the outdoors, including planting and harvesting in the garden.

What it's like

Children arrive eager to play and are quickly supported by nurturing staff, promoting their emotional security. They enjoy a variety of activities, showing concentration and independence, and are motivated to achieve their goals. Children also partake in planting and harvesting home-grown fruit and vegetables, encouraging healthy lifestyles and understanding of food origins.

Nurturing StaffSpeech & Language FocusOutdoor LearningCreative PlaySEND Support

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

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Key facts

Food

Healthy eating encouraged; nut-free zone, no fizzy drinks, chocolate, sweets. Grapes and cocktail sausages must be cut in half.

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, from 8am until 3.15pm

Term time / All Year

Term_time_only

Established

2005

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Urgent improvement

Last inspected Mar 2026

Headline: Urgent improvement

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
—
Expected standard
—
Needs attention
Urgent improvement

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementNeeds attention
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesNeeds attention
Children's welfare and wellbeingNeeds attention
Curriculum and teachingUrgent improvement
InclusionUrgent improvement
Leadership and governanceUrgent improvement
Age range
2 to 5
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Lydlynch Preschool

Last inspected 11 March 2026 · Nicole Atkinson

Safeguarding effective

What it's like to attend

Children arrive eager to play and are quickly supported by nurturing staff, promoting their emotional security. They enjoy a variety of activities, showing concentration and independence, and are motivated to achieve their goals. Children also partake in planting and harvesting home-grown fruit and vegetables, encouraging healthy lifestyles and understanding of food origins.

Inspector highlights

  • The manager is very reflective and strives to make the setting the best it can be for the children and families who attend.
  • The manager has embedded a strong emphasis on supporting children's speech and language development, using songs, story time, and small-group time.
  • Staff complete regular training for their ongoing professional development, targeted to benefit the children.
  • Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have tailored support to help them make progress.
  • Staff work well together as a team and speak highly of the manager, feeling valued and well supported.
  • The setting organises trips for the children to places such as the zoo and the farm to support a greater understanding of the world around them.
  • Children enjoy listening to stories outside in the reading shed.
  • Children enjoy being creative, using magnetic shapes, dough and craft materials.

Areas to develop

  • 1Extend further the support for children to develop their mathematical understanding.
  • 2Provide more opportunities for children to follow their own creative ideas, particularly in planned activities.
Inspection #10228049 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have tailored support to help them make progress. The manager and staff identify children with SEND through observations and assessments. They work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure a suitable curriculum is in place. Formal plans are completed in time for transitions.

Outdoor space

Children enjoy planting and harvesting home-grown fruit and vegetables in the garden, which encourages a healthy lifestyle and understanding of food origins. They also spend a lot of time outside developing physical skills, improving strength and coordination by climbing on the climbing frame and balancing on the balance beam.

Parent Reviews of Lydlynch Preschool

5.0
(3)
Alice Dickinson
7 years ago

A friendly preschool with a lovely walled garden and well stocked outdoor play area. Situated in the Infant school grounds children get to experience life at school for an easier transition.

Read on Google
Jade Le Cointe
3 years ago

Amazing pre school two of my boys have attended here and I couldn't recommend it enough friendly, helpful and kind staff who go above and beyond for the children! Wonderful manager and a great environment will be really sad when my youngest leaves as he loves it so much thank you all Highly Recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Lydlynch Preschool. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: October 2009

The most recent inspection point has been hidden because the parsed entry didn't match the headline Ofsted rating (Good). We're re-checking it against the original report.

  • October 2022Good
  • September 2022Good
  • November 2016Good
  • November 2016Good
  • January 2013Good
  • January 2013Good
  • November 2009Good
  • October 2009Good

Frequently asked about Lydlynch Preschool

About the setting

Lydlynch Preschool, registered in 2005, operates from Lydlynch Infant School in Totton, Southampton. It is open Monday to Friday, from 8am until 3.15pm, term time only, and accepts funding for free early years education for children aged two, three, and four. Nine staff are employed, with qualifications ranging from level 3 to the manager's level 5 qualification. The setting also offers a breakfast club for Lydlynch Infant School children.

URN
EY309670
Registered person
Lydlynch Pre-School Limited
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises
Previous rating
Good

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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