Sunrise Nursery

Dinosaurs hidden in ice give a concrete picture of learning at Sunrise Nursery: in February 2022, preschool children worked together to melt the ice and release them. At its February 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and found effective safeguarding arrangements and good support for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Based at Southampton City College, St. Mary Street, Southampton, SO14 1AR, Sunrise has capacity for 81 children aged 3 to 60 months. The inspection provides a dated picture of its care and learning; later safeguarding compliance action also matters to the choice families make.

The early years foundation stage is the required framework. In February 2022, its everyday expression included stories, songs and activities planned around what individual children needed to learn next. Enthusiastic storytelling helped children practise listening, while songs introduced friends' home languages.

In February 2022, toddlers sang a welcome song using their friends' names, and babies sought cuddles and interaction from staff. These examples connect learning with relationships: getting to know other children and communicating with familiar adults were part of the day.

Teaching also needed closer attention in February 2022. Some conversations ended before staff had developed children's ideas, and support was inconsistent at times. Staff supervision and appraisals did not always pinpoint the knowledge and skills needing attention.

In February 2022, staff gathered information from families when children started, exchanged information with other professionals and held daily conversations and meetings with parents. This gave families opportunities to discuss their children's needs. At mealtimes, babies practised feeding themselves and older children poured drinks; staff considered dietary needs and food size.

Some lively preschool children struggled to settle into activities in February 2022, and routines needed adapting more closely to their behaviour. A sand timer helped children take turns with resources.

Ofsted's October 2022 and July 2025 compliance outcomes identified safeguarding shortcomings that the nursery had corrected, concerning information sharing with safeguarding partners and procedures relating to staff conduct respectively. In July 2025, corrective work included staff training and revised policies covering behaviour, conduct and respectful care. These later findings are material alongside the earlier Good judgement.

Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Sunrise operates throughout the year, closing for bank holidays and Christmas.

In February 2022, the nursery received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated funding position, separate from its current opening arrangements.

• Safeguarding follow-through. The October 2022 and July 2025 outcomes concerned safeguarding procedures. Ask how information sharing and concerns about staff conduct are now monitored.
• Individual routines. In February 2022, some preschool children struggled to settle and staff did not always adapt activities sufficiently. Ask how routines would respond to your child's behaviour and needs.
• Teaching support. February 2022 improvement priorities included closer monitoring of practitioners. Ask how staff receive specific feedback on conversations and activities.

Sunrise suits families seeking year-round weekday childcare at Southampton City College. Its February 2022 picture combines practical learning and parent communication with clear improvement priorities. The repeated safeguarding compliance findings deserve careful discussion before choosing it.