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The Play Academy

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Jan 2024)
·
5.0(7 parent reviews) ·37 Elm Grove, Southsea, PO5 1JF · Portsmouth
Number of places
80 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jan 2024
Local authority
Portsmouth

About this day nursery

The Play Academy, formerly known as Monkey Puzzle Portsmouth, offers full day care for children aged 3 months to 4 years. Located centrally in Southsea, the nursery has been operating since November 2015.

It is owned and managed by Rahma and Emily, who transitioned from a franchise model to an independent establishment. They are passionate about Early Years education and are dedicated to providing a secure and stimulating environment where children can explore, be inspired, and achieve.

The Play Academy adopts a child-led, play-based approach, allowing children to learn at their own pace. They acknowledge the uniqueness of each child and customise activities to suit their individual interests and abilities.

The nursery boasts a well-equipped environment designed to foster curiosity and imagination. The team, led by a qualified early years teacher, consists of highly trained and experienced staff who are committed to delivering exceptional care and education, creating a nurturing and loving atmosphere for children to flourish.

The Play Academy prioritises the well-being of the children, striving to build strong partnerships with parents to support each child’s development and learning journey. They invite prospective families to visit the nursery, meet the team, and address any questions they might have.

Our ethos

The Play Academy is committed to providing a secure and stimulating environment that fosters curiosity and imagination, adopting a child-led, play-based approach. They believe in acknowledging each child's uniqueness and customising activities to suit individual interests and abilities, aiming for children to explore, be inspired, and achieve. The nursery focuses on building strong partnerships with parents to support each child’s development and learning journey.

What it's like

Children feel safe and secure, arriving confidently and excited to start their day. Friendly and nurturing staff greet them warmly, and children are familiar with routines, independently putting away belongings before exploring a rich variety of activities tailored to their needs. Staff provide an excellent foundation for children's learning, and all children flourish.

Child-led play-based learningExperienced and qualified staffFreshly cooked meals on-siteIndependent nursery

Pricing & funding

Fees are structured around full and half-day sessions, with optional early morning and late afternoon wrap-around care. A daily consumables fee applies to funded sessions. Standard fees are fully inclusive of all meals, snacks, hygiene products, and extracurricular activities.

Good to know

  • A minimum attendance of two full days is required.
  • Fees include freshly cooked meals, snacks, nappies, wipes, trips, and external visiting groups.
  • A consumables charge applies for funded days.

Key facts

Food

All meals cooked freshly on site, snacks, nappies, wipes, trips and external visiting groups.

Opening hours

07:30 - 18:00

Age range

3 months to 4 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2015

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for The Play Academy

Last inspected 23 January 2024 · Loretta Murphy

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

What it's like to attend

Children feel safe and secure, arriving confidently and excited to start their day. Friendly and nurturing staff greet them warmly, and children are familiar with routines, independently putting away belongings before exploring a rich variety of activities tailored to their needs. Staff provide an excellent foundation for children's learning, and all children flourish.

Inspector highlights

  • Leaders and staff have an extremely clear vision for children's learning and development, resulting in children making rapid progress.
  • Staff work hard to minimise gaps in children's development, especially communication and language, with tailored support for SEND children.
  • Children's health and well-being are high priorities, with focus groups for oral health and sequenced learning on healthy habits.
  • Staff well-being is a high priority, with inspirational leaders providing meaningful supervision and extensive training.
  • Staff plan excellent opportunities for children's physical development, including Pilates and weekly forest school trips.
Inspection #10308540 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

The nursery's special educational needs coordinators (SENCos) ensure that all children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, receive tailored support. Detailed assessments help design activities for good progress, and focus-group interventions support children with language and social communication difficulties. The SENCos work closely with parents and professionals to ensure timely support.

Outdoor space

Staff plan excellent opportunities for children's physical development, including experimenting with movement and flexibility during Pilates classes. Staff ensure that children have plenty of opportunities to access fresh air and learn about the natural world during weekly trips to a local forest school.

Parent Reviews of The Play Academy

5.0
(7)
Jessica Courtney
2 years ago

This is a lovely nursery. The staff are so caring and kind, they do lots of planned activities with the children and my child loves it here. They are a perfect setting and I wish I brought my child here sooner when moving to the area. They have lots of variety with the meals for the children, including those with dietary requirements. I always feel comfortable to approach the nursery staff with any concerns, they are understanding and helpful! Definitely recommend 😊

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Lil H
3 years ago

My stepson attends this nursery and he’s a covid baby. Myself especially was very anxious with him joining because of the way he used to be with others. Upon joining though it actually helped and brought him out of that! Absolutely amazed I’ve two children myself and I wish I had put them in this nursery when they were smaller. Thankyou to MAISIE and KOEN especially for making such a difference and helping him overcome whatever it was he had going on. Really couldn’t be more grateful for them especially and the whole team. 5 stars deserved. Truly are caring people and all about the children.

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Mary
2 years ago

Both my grandsons went to this nursery. Staff are committed, caring, loving. The year before they start school they concentrate on preparing them for the transition. Excellent provision.

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Sara Woods
3 years ago

I honestly, whole heartedly, cannot recommend Monkey Puzzle Portsmouth enough. My little boy and our families needs have been meet and surpassed for the past year. The staff go above and beyond and my little boy looks forward to going.

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Alistair Gooch
2 years ago

I've not had a personal experience of the nursery but I can see their outside space from my kitchen window and I think that the staff do a wonderful job 😀

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Reviews from Google for The Play Academy. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history
Improved from Good → Outstanding in 2024

Date: March 2018

  • January 2024Outstanding
  • March 2018Good

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