Opening hours
7.30am to 6pm, for most of the year
Play Away Day Nurseries in Southampton (SO30)
Ofsted: Good
(Mar 2023)
Number of places
100 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2023
Local authority
Hampshire
About this day nursery
Play Away Day Nurseries Ltd, located in Southampton, offers childcare for children aged 0-4 years. 30 am to 6 pm for most of the year.
The nursery received a 'Good' rating in its latest Ofsted inspection on March 6, 2023. Since its previous inspection, the nursery has significantly improved the quality of children's care and learning, supported by childcare specialists and local authority advisors.
The staff have high expectations for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and thoughtfully adapt activities to ensure full inclusion and good progress for these children. The nursery provides an exciting curriculum and a welcoming learning environment across its three buildings.
Children at Play Away Day Nurseries Ltd are described as happy, active, and inquisitive learners, with staff successfully supporting their exploration and enthusiasm. ' This has led to activities such as younger children balancing on wooden planks across old car tyres, developing their physical skills.
The nursery also promotes cultural understanding through diverse activities, such as celebrating Chinese New Year with pet rabbits and Diwali with traditional cultural clothing and Indian dancing. There is a focus on involving parents to ensure continuity in children's learning and development, including an extended book lending library, which has received positive feedback from parents.
What it's like
Children are happy, active, inquisitive learners. Staff provide an exciting curriculum and learning environment that successfully supports all children's exploration and enthusiasm for learning. The atmosphere in the nursery is inviting and welcoming to children and parents.
Exciting curriculumStrong SEND supportOutdoor playCultural learningParent involvementGood role models
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds
Key facts
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Play Away Day Nurseries
Last inspected 6 March 2023 · Cathy Greenwood, Jayne Godden
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
Children are happy, active, inquisitive learners. Staff provide an exciting curriculum and learning environment that successfully supports all children's exploration and enthusiasm for learning. The atmosphere in the nursery is inviting and welcoming to children and parents.
Inspector highlights
- Managers and staff have significantly improved the quality of children's care and learning since the last inspection.
- Managers have improved opportunities for staff to access additional online training, and staff use this to improve outcomes for children.
- Staff have a secure knowledge and understanding of children's individual needs, including how to respond to the needs of children with care plans.
- The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
- Managers and staff strive to involve parents to provide continuity in children's learning and development.
Areas to develop
- 1consider ways to further extend and challenge children's development when they play independently, so they make the best possible progress
- 2review and improve care routines, so that children's learning and concentration during activities is not disrupted.
Inspection #10266080 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Staff have received positive feedback from parents that they enjoy reading to their children at home.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Managers and staff have high expectations for every child, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff thoughtfully and confidently adapt their care and activities, so that children with SEND are fully included and make good progress.
Outdoor space
The inspectors observed activities indoors and outdoors in all three buildings where children are cared for. The report notes children have developed and extended their physical skills as they have learned to balance on wooden planks placed across old car tyres during risky play.
Parent Reviews of Play Away Day Nurseries
4.9
(12)
Lacey-May
a year ago
My son has been attending since September and has come on leaps and bounds. He loves his days at nursery and is always on the go. He loves all the activities both inside and outside. He even goes on little trips to the library. The staff are phenomenal. They are understanding, caring, and most definitely brilliant at their job. I am usually very uneasy about who I leave my little boy with however i feel calm and reassured when he is at nursery. I never want him to leave!
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Becky
a year ago
My daughter has been going to play away nursery since spring 2022. She enjoys going to the nursery & has made a good group of friends. Since Simon has taken over as the manager, they have held lots of community events & given parents the chance to get involved which is good. Overall I think it is a good nursery & am going to send my second daughter there too.
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Mizz Tee
a year ago
Brill nursery son has been attending since 6 months and I cannot be more pleased with Play Away very nurturing environment, brilliant staff supported my son meeting his milestones and achieving potty training… the staff there are so kind and patient with the children it’s amazing and reassuring each time you leave them there you’re guaranteed they are in safe hands. The meals there are great too and my son loves eating there :) I would strongly recommend Play Away x
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Irena Dedek
12 months ago
We are very happy with the PlayAway nursery. Our son joined in September 2024. Every time we pick him up, he is happy and cheerful. This gives us the feeling that he is doing well there. That’s why we are giving this score.
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Louise Mann
a year ago
Our daughter absoloutely loves going to nursery & is thriving at Play Away Day Nursery West End. The staff are amazing & always ensure there are really engaging & fun activities for the children. We are very happy parents
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Play Away Day Nurseries. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Improved from Inadequate → Good in 2023
Date: January 2011
- March 2023Good
- November 2022Inadequate
- December 2021Requires improvement
- April 2013Outstanding
- January 2011Good
Frequently asked about Play Away Day Nurseries
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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