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Merritime Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(May 2023)
·
5.0(3 parent reviews) ·H M S Sultan, Military Road, Gosport, PO12 3BY · Hampshire
Number of places
60 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
May 2023
Local authority
Hampshire

About this day nursery

Merritime Nursery offers comprehensive childcare services for children aged 9 months to 4 years, operating from the HMS Sultan Military Road in Gosport. The nursery provides both half-day and full-day sessions, with flexibility for parents' requirements.

Merritime Nursery acknowledges various government funding schemes, deducting applicable rates from invoices and applying funding across 38 weeks of the year. Meals are included for full nursery days, though there are separate charges for funded children.

The nursery maintains clear policies regarding session changes, withdrawals, and fee adjustments, requiring one month's written notice and a small administrative fee for session changes. Holiday discounts are available for non-funded children, while funded children do not receive this discount during funded periods.

They do not charge for Bank Holidays, and while there's no stipulated minimum number of sessions, those buying hours must commit to a minimum of 5 hours per day. A refundable deposit is required to secure a child's placement on the waiting list.

What it's like

The nursery provides children with a nurturing home-away-from-home environment. Staff design a curriculum successfully to follow children's interests. Children enjoy investigating a wide range of creative resources, which they use to develop their imaginative play.

Accepts government fundingFlexible sessionsMeals included

Pricing & funding

Fees are structured by age band and funding status, with different rates for funded and non-funded days. The nursery offers full and half-day sessions, with hourly rates applicable during funded hours. Meal surcharges apply for children receiving 30 hours of funding.

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • A refundable deposit is payable upon submitting a waiting list application.
  • One month's written notice is required to change sessions or hours.
  • An administration fee applies to session or hour changes.
  • Children receiving 30 hours of funding are charged a daily fee for meals.

Key facts

Session types

Half day (07:30-13:00), Half day (13:00-18:00), Full day (07:30-18:00)

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 07:30 to 18:00

Age range

9 months to 4 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Merritime Nursery

Last inspected 16 May 2023

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

What it's like to attend

The nursery provides children with a nurturing home-away-from-home environment. Staff design a curriculum successfully to follow children's interests. Children enjoy investigating a wide range of creative resources, which they use to develop their imaginative play.

Inspector highlights

  • The nursery provides children with a nurturing home-away-from-home environment.
  • Staff design a curriculum successfully to follow children's interests.
  • Children behave very well, taking turns and helping each other.
  • Staff have a friendly and nurturing manner towards children and help them resolve issues quickly.
  • There is effective support in place for children with SEND, with a well-established key-person system and collaboration with specialist agencies.

Areas to develop

  • 1review and improve staff deployment in the baby room during busy periods to ensure children are comfortable and ready for the next activity
  • 2improve the organisation of group activities so that the views of quieter and less confident children are always heard and valued.
Inspection #10281061 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

They report that their children have progressed with their social skills and their communication and language.

Parents describe how their children greet staff at the door by holding out their arms.

They say their children love coming to the nursery.

Parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) feel that their children have been welcomed into the nursery.

They say that their children thrive there.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) feel that their children have been welcomed into the nursery and thrive there. There is effective support in place for children with SEND, with a well-established key-person system and collaboration with specialist agencies.

Outdoor space

Pre-schoolers excitedly use syringes to squirt water outside but take care not to wet each other.

Parent Reviews of Merritime Nursery

5.0
(3)
Hollie Watson
3 years ago

My daughter has been welcomed to merrytime like one of their own. They do lots of play, arts and crafts and outdoor play. She’s always coming home and singing a new nursery rhyme. Highly recommend.

Read on Google
Matt Milsom
4 years ago

I've been meaning to counter the awful 1 star review previously posted for ages which I assume was done by a disgruntled former employee, or parents that were asked to leave, because genuinely this nursery is excellent. My two daughters have been in attendance here for nearly 7 months now, and barring a few morning tantrums, love it and really enjoy themselves. They are constantly bringing home crafts and pictures which they are proud to show off from their day. The staff here go to exceptional lengths to support the development of my kids including potty training and minor(ish) outbursts of poor behaviour. Having moved around a bit, this is the 3rd nursery my eldest has been in and this is the first she hasn't cried at settling in. That, to me, speaks volumes. We've had numerous birthday parties which suggests the children are forming solid relationships and are playing great together. Unfortunately, covid being covid, the ability to get in the setting has been few and far between, but the nursery has still put on party afternoons and open days on a weekend where parents are invited. All in all, do not let the one star review put you off. Take the time to get to know the nursery for yourself and I'm certain the team will showcase the fantastic setting that it is.

Read on Google
Gordon Brooks
3 years ago

Both my children are currently at Merritime (ages 1 1/2 and 3 1/4) with the oldest there since they were 9 months old. Can't praise the staff enough for making it such a fun experience each day for them both. Kids always run in with a smile and run out with an even bigger one 8 hours later! Highly recommended

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Merritime Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: May 2023

  • June 2023Good
  • May 2023Good

Frequently asked about Merritime 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