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Northern Pre-School

Ofsted: Good
(Jan 2025)
·
4.8(6 parent reviews) ·Richmond Rise, Fareham, PO16 8DG · Hampshire
Number of places
52 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jan 2025
Local authority
Hampshire

About this day nursery

Northern Pre-School, located in Portchester, Hampshire, was established in 1994 and provides a nurturing environment for children aged two to four. The pre-school operates during school term times from 8am to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday, offering full day care.

With a capacity of 52 children and a dedicated team of seven staff members, including six holding relevant early years qualifications, the setting ensures a stimulating and supportive atmosphere. Children are encouraged to explore and engage with a thoughtfully planned curriculum that builds on their existing knowledge and sparks their natural curiosity.

The staff are particularly attentive to individual needs, addressing areas requiring additional focus, such as small-muscle skill development, through engaging activities like play dough and pasta makers. Parents consistently express appreciation for the quality of care and learning, valuing the dedicated staff and the joyful experience their children have at the pre-school.

What it's like

Children arrive excited to begin their day and are warmly welcomed by attentive and nurturing staff who know children's unique personalities extremely well. Staff plan stimulating activities to build on what children already know and can do, as well as skilfully entwining children's immediate curiosities. This means children sustain interest in their explorations and build resilience even when things challenge them.

Supportive staffEngaging activitiesIndividual progressGood communication

Key facts

Opening hours

8am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday

Term time / All Year

Term_time_only

Established

1994

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Northern Pre-School

Last inspected 22 January 2025

Overall effectiveness
Good

What it's like to attend

Children arrive excited to begin their day and are warmly welcomed by attentive and nurturing staff who know children's unique personalities extremely well. Staff plan stimulating activities to build on what children already know and can do, as well as skilfully entwining children's immediate curiosities. This means children sustain interest in their explorations and build resilience even when things challenge them.

Inspector highlights

  • Children arrive excited and are warmly welcomed by attentive and nurturing staff.
  • Children benefit from an ambitious and bespoke curriculum that leaders and staff provide.
  • Staff proactively address any areas of children's learning that require additional focus swiftly.
  • Leaders and staff are passionate and dedicated to their roles, committing to continuous improvement.
  • All staff plan and deliver a thoughtfully designed curriculum that promotes learning across all areas of the early year's foundation stage.
  • Partnerships with parents are effective, with staff keeping parents updated about their child's day.
  • Safeguarding arrangements are effective, fostering an open and positive culture.
  • Staff skilfully adapt their communication methods dependent on children's personalities, ages and development stages.

Areas to develop

  • 1Enhance the curriculum to teach children about online safety and how to keep themselves safe when accessing the internet.
  • 2Strengthen even further the information shared with parents, in particular children's precise next steps in learning and how these can be supported further at home.
Inspection #10340951 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Outcomes for children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), continue to improve. The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND.

Parent Reviews of Northern Pre-School

4.8
(6)
Olivia Naylor
3 years ago

I recently moved my daughter here after being at a previous nursery in portchester, even though she only has a term left before she starts school. I am so glad I did, I can see a huge difference in her behaviour in terms of her patience and understanding and she's not getting as frustrated as she used to, her speech has also improved massively and overall she's so much happier and has learnt a lot in a short space of time! The setting is lovely and friendly and I love how patient and genuine the staff are. I feel so comfortable and at ease leaving her there knowing she's in safe caring hands and is getting treated just how she should be. Thank you!!

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Kate Maule
8 years ago

Both my children have attended the preschool and loved it. The staff are engaging and enthusiastic. My child loved having the outdoor space and the fact there are 2 rooms separating the 2 and 3 year olds is a real bonus.

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Charlotte Hawley
8 years ago

A fantastic caring pre-school that my children have loved attending. Having separate rooms for under and over 3s is great as allows kids to have different experiences as they grow and develop.

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Donna Spencer
8 years ago

My boys love it here, a real plus for us is the staff who make it so much fun for the children through crafts, sports and outside play. It’s a lovely setting with brand new facilities and caring teachers who support my boys with their social and academic development.

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Samantha Harvey
a year ago

Such a wonderful pre school, couldn’t be happier with the support they provide for my little boy.

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Reviews from Google for Northern Pre-School. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history
Improved from Requires improvement → Good in 2025

Date: November 2010

  • January 2025Good
  • March 2024Requires improvement
  • April 2018Good
  • July 2015Good
  • November 2010Good

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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