Holy Family Pre-School

Pumpkins growing, decaying and scattering seeds gave children a practical lesson in life cycles at Holy Family Pre-School in July 2025. That example captures the setting's character: everyday materials became opportunities to investigate, talk and connect ideas.

At its July 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the pre-school Outstanding and found teaching highly effective, with tailored learning supporting children with SEND and those learning English as an additional language. The setting has 40 places in total; children attending at that visit were aged three to four.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, July 2025 examples included conversation, practical mathematics and movement woven into play. At the investigation station, staff listened to children's ideas and extended their thinking. Younger children practised new vocabulary through repetition, while older children developed conversational exchanges.

Building towers introduced comparisons of height; water play with differently sized jugs explored volume. These were concrete ways to make mathematical ideas understandable. Music supported coordination, and using mark-making equipment developed the finger control needed for writing.

Independence also had a practical place in the day. In July 2025, children prepared fruit, poured drinks and managed personal care. Tidying involved cooperation, giving children useful responsibilities alongside their play.

At the July 2025 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described close staff-child relationships, alongside effective collaboration with speech and language therapists and neighbouring school teachers. Those connections helped staff coordinate support around individual children.

In July 2025, an online learning journal shared children's experiences with parents. Staff used assessments to decide what each child should learn next, linking everyday observations to planned teaching.

Children also practised the social skills that make group life work. During that month, staff consistently modelled expectations, and children negotiated disagreements, listened to other ideas and sought adult help when needed. The emphasis was on learning to manage situations themselves, with support close by.

The address is Holy Family School, Mansel Road West, Millbrook, Southampton, SO16 9LP. In July 2025, the pre-school operated within Holy Family Primary School and opened on weekdays in school term time, with sessions running from 8.30am to 3.15pm.

At that date, it received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four. This funding age range is separate from the ages of children attending the inspection.

Attendance at a nursery on a school site does not guarantee a Reception place. Families still need to follow the relevant school admissions process.

• Term-time attendance. July 2025 sessions followed school terms and ran from 8.30am to 3.15pm. Families needing holiday care should weigh that pattern against their working year.
• Current joining arrangements. Which ages and attendance patterns can the pre-school accommodate now, and how would funding, meals and consumables work for your proposed booking?
• Moving to Reception. Sharing school premises does not secure admission. Keep the Reception application separate from the childcare decision.

Holy Family Pre-School suits families drawn to practical learning, language development and growing independence, with a July 2025 Outstanding judgement giving those priorities substantial inspection backing. Its inspection-era term-time day pattern is most relevant to families whose childcare needs fit the school calendar. The strongest detail is the purposeful use of ordinary experiences: a tower, a jug or a pumpkin became something to think and talk about.