Paint Pots Pre-School and Nursery, Shirley

A raised playhouse, a stage and platforms make the garden central to the character of Paint Pots Pre-School and Nursery, Shirley. Its home is an extended former guest house on Howard Road, with children under two upstairs and activity spread across both floors. The outdoor space continues the learning indoors, giving children places to climb, sing together and play.

The nursery has capacity for 51 children, with an accepted age range of 3–60 months. At its May 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged it Good, found safeguarding effective and praised a structured curriculum with a clear emphasis on communication and language. Those findings give families a useful starting point, alongside the practical question of how this converted building works for their child's stage.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and everyday routines are opportunities to practise communication, movement and independence. In May 2023, activities had specific learning intentions rather than simply keeping children occupied. Water play, for example, involved handling containers and controlling a pour, with opportunities to use the same skill when serving drinks at mealtimes.

That connection between an activity and an everyday task matters. Learning to pour was useful beyond the water tray, helping children do something for themselves. The emphasis was on practising a manageable skill and then putting it to work, rather than treating play and self-care as separate parts of the day.

Outdoor and Community Life

The garden offers changes of height through its raised playhouse and platforms, while the stage gives singing with friends a physical space. A tyre swing and picnics add other ways to use the outdoors. For families whose children enjoy movement and imaginative play, the equipment gives this nursery a recognisable character.

In May 2023, children played outside in different weather conditions and tackled physical challenges, including balancing on bucket stilts. Staff allowed time for children to attempt new skills. Climbing and balancing gave children opportunities to practise new physical skills.

Sometimes, after-school children aged up to eight join the younger children at tea. That brings contact with older children into part of the nursery day; it is a separate arrangement from the nursery's accepted early-years age range.

In May 2023, staff responded gently to the youngest children and made time for their emotional needs. Children's ideas were taken seriously during play. The account of daily life also included children helping one another, making cooperation something they practised through shared tasks.

Moving benches before an activity and carrying shopping to the kitchen were examples of that approach. Staff helped children talk through disagreements and recognise feelings, linking behaviour to what was happening around them. These were practical opportunities to contribute, share responsibility and consider another child's perspective.

Communication with families in May 2023 included updates about learning and development, helping parents continue activities at home. Staff also discussed the development of their key children during regular conversations about their work. For parents, the useful connection is between what a child is practising at nursery and what can be supported outside it.

At the May 2023 inspection, Ofsted identified inconsistent teaching of hygiene and self-care routines, despite examples of children washing their hands and learning about dental care. This was the specific improvement priority: children needed clearer, more consistent help to understand why those routines keep them well.

The address is 19 Howard Road, Shirley, Southampton, SO15 5BB. The former guest house has been modernised and extended, and its upstairs provision for under-twos makes the layout an important part of a visit for families with babies.

Opening hours are 7.45am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery operates across the year, closing on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas. This opening window is useful for assessing whether the setting fits a family's working day.

Enquiries can be made by telephone on 023 8023 7175 or through the Shirley contact form and Express interest route. These give families a direct way to begin joining discussions with this branch.

In May 2023, the nursery received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four. Families considering funded attendance should make the precise booking and charge arrangements part of their joining discussion.

• Upstairs care for under-twos. The youngest children use the upper floor of a converted guest house. During a visit, ask how sleep, outdoor play and movement between floors fit your baby's routine.
• Hygiene routines. In May 2023, inconsistent reinforcement of self-care was the improvement priority. Ask how staff now help children understand and practise handwashing and other daily hygiene habits.
• Attendance and costs. The weekday opening window runs from 7.45am to 6pm. Ask which booking pattern fits your needs and request a current written quotation that separates private hours, funded attendance, meals and non-food consumables.

Shirley's strongest current attraction is its physical setting: a converted house with an outdoor space built around climbing, singing and imaginative play. It suits families seeking care across the year who value those opportunities and can use the weekday opening window.

The May 2023 findings add concrete examples of learning through ordinary tasks, cooperation and growing independence. Hygiene teaching remains the point to explore when assessing current practice. For parents of babies, the upstairs layout deserves equal attention.