South Hills City Nursery

Salisbury’s Cathedral grounds extend the possibilities for outdoor learning at South Hills City Nursery: children explore beyond their own outside play area into local parks and the city around them. This is a city-centre setting with an outdoor thread running through its day, rather than outings being its only opportunity to play outside.

At its June 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective, while identifying improvements needed in home-language support and the challenge offered to more advanced children. Those are useful distinctions for parents: the overall judgement was positive, but it came with specific teaching priorities.

The nursery has capacity for 69 children, with an age range of 2 to 60 months. Its address is Elim Christian Centre, Dews Road, Salisbury, SP2 7SN. Children are organised into four age groups, with resources matched to their stage of development.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children’s learning, development and care. In everyday terms, this brings learning into play, conversation and practical tasks, rather than separating education from the nursery day.

In June 2023, activities drew on children’s interests: tractor pictures became material for practising cutting, while books about vehicles supported literacy. Staff also explored floating, sinking, shapes and colours with children. These examples show how a familiar interest could lead into several areas of learning, although some children who answered questions easily needed a greater stretch.

Sensory exploration had a place too. In June 2023, babies investigated puzzles and sensory toys, while older children experimented with dough and gloop and joined songs with actions. Preschool children took part in wake and shake, a movement session at the beginning of the day. The emphasis was on doing and trying things, with experiences adapted to different developmental stages.

Outdoor and Community Life

The nursery’s own outside area is complemented by trips to local parks and the Cathedral grounds. That gives children opportunities to investigate their surroundings beyond the playrooms and to connect nursery learning with familiar places in Salisbury.

In June 2023, children could choose between outside and inside play, and many spent substantial playtime outdoors. An outdoor play kitchen supported shared imaginative games, with staff joining children’s inventions to sustain their interest. Regular outings also included forest school trips, adding opportunities for learning outdoors; these belong to the June 2023 account rather than a fixed current timetable.

Relationships and everyday routines were closely connected in June 2023. Staff supported children as they changed playrooms, and babies’ care followed their individual routines. Moving to another playroom changes a child’s surroundings, so support at that point matters alongside the activities themselves.

Communication with parents included daily information about care and wellbeing in June 2023. Staff also gathered parents’ knowledge of what their children could already do when planning the next steps in learning. This gave families a practical role in shaping activities, rather than communication being confined to a summary of the day.

Emotional support in June 2023 included books about feelings and quiet places where children could regain calm. Staff guided sharing and turn-taking, while everyday independence included children serving food and putting away their plates and cutlery. Meals and snacks were eaten together, making mealtimes part of the social day.

The June 2023 inspection also recorded a failure to notify Ofsted about a significant incident, while finding that this had not affected children’s welfare. This administrative concern should be kept distinct from the effective safeguarding judgement, and remains a relevant point for a conversation about notification procedures.

Sessions and Attendance

Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery operates across the year, closing for bank holidays and Christmas. That calendar matters for families organising work around childcare, especially where holiday cover forms part of the decision.

The City enquiry route provides a contact form. Direct branch enquiries can also be made on 01722 322111 or by email to southhillscity@btconnect.com.

Funding and Paid Extras

In June 2023, the nursery received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four. Families should obtain current prices in a written quotation from the nursery.

• Stretch for advanced learners. In June 2023, some children who readily answered questions received too little additional challenge. Families with a child already confident in an area of learning should explore how activities are extended.
• Home languages. In June 2023, support for using children’s home languages was inconsistent. This matters for families wanting their child’s languages to remain part of nursery life.
• Incident notifications. The June 2023 failure to notify a significant incident makes notification procedures a specific topic to discuss, alongside the separate safeguarding judgement.
• Your child’s room. Four age groups organise the day. On a visit, ask how settling and movement between those groups would work for your child.

South Hills City Nursery merits consideration for families living or working in Salisbury who value an outside play area and outings into the surrounding city. Its year-round calendar also suits families whose childcare needs continue beyond school terms. The June 2023 picture combines interest-led activities and practical independence with clear questions about extending advanced learners and supporting home languages. Those details give parents a useful basis for judging the fit for their own child.