Play Away Day Nursery - Southampton City

Anderson Road, St Marys, Southampton SO14 5FE
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9.8 92 Reviews
  • Play Away Day Nursery - Southampton City, Southampton
Located in the heart of Southampton and Ofsted-rated Good (January 2023), Play Away Day Nursery provides quality, convenient day care for children from 3 months to 5 years old. Outside the nursery, there is a bus stop and parking, making drop off and pick up times quick and easy for busy families.

The nursery is purpose-built and offers bright and spacious play areas for children and dedicated areas for when peace and quiet is needed. There is also a great outdoor space where children can play and explore under the shelter of all-weather protection, meaning outdoor play isn't limited to the summer months.

The team of practitioners are experienced and friendly. They get to know the children and their families and provide children with opportunities to engage in activities which suit their development stage and likes and dislikes, ensuring that they have the very best care during their early years.

The nursery is currently engaged in the "Eco Schools" initiative and the "Southampton Healthy Early Years Award (HEYA) in Physical Activity" initiative.
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Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Lizzy Pennell (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 16

Total Places for Children

  • 102

Age Range

  • from 0 years 3 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Funding & Fees

  • Offer full day and half day sessions. Half day sessions priced at £43.30

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:00-18:00
    Tuesday 08:00-18:00
    Wednesday 08:00-18:00
    Thursday 08:00-18:00
    Friday 08:00-18:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & 1 week at Christmas

Parking

  • Car park available.

Play Away Day Nursery - Southampton City Reviews (92)

9.8

Play Away Day Nursery - Southampton City has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.760) out of 10, based on 83 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Play Away Day Nursery - Southampton City has 92 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to Play Away Day Nursery - Southampton City
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Total of 92, showing 81-92
Review from Kyle H (Father of Child) published on 13 December 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been at the nursery since she was 11 months old and she has always been ahead with her vocabulary and understanding of nursery rhymes all thanks to the staff in her room.
Reply from Sid, Senior Marketing Executive at Play Away Day Nursery - Southampton City
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear about your daughter's positive experience at the nursery since she was 11 months old. It's lovely that she has been thriving in her…read more
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Review from Azzam M (Father of Child) published on 13 December 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I can't rave enough about our experience with Play Away Day Nursery.
It was a hidden gem in both my boys development from support to care and security and Play Away as it all.
The most amazing staff you will meet also cared for my 2 boys.
Shout out to Elmer's Class and the wonderful teachers.
Reply from Sid, Senior Marketing Executive at Play Away Day Nursery - Southampton City
Thank you for your lovely review! We are delighted to hear that Play Away Day Nursery has been a hidden gem for your boys' development. The support, care, and security provided by the amazing staff,…read more
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Review from D P (Mother of Child) published on 13 December 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Lovely nursery with friendly, caring staff.
The outdoor space is very spacious with lots of good equipment.
Safeguarding is taken very seriously and always followed.
Reply from Sid, Senior Marketing Executive at Play Away Day Nursery - Southampton City
Thank you for your lovely review! We're pleased to hear that you find our nursery to be lovely with friendly, caring staff.
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Review from Radhia S (Mother of Child) published on 2 November 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I've had an amazing experience with Play Away. My child really enjoyed coming to this nursery, it was the best choice I made. The staff were lovely and really took care of my child's needs. She has developed well and has become more confident. Overall I am happy with the service and will miss bringing
my child to nursery and I am sure that she will miss all the staff and the bond she made with all her friends.
Reply from Sid, Senior Marketing Executive at Play Away Day Nursery - Southampton City
Thank you for sharing your positive experience with Play Away Nursery. It's great to hear about the positive impact on your child's development and the strong bonds formed with the staff and friends.
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Review from E S (Mother of Child) published on 22 September 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Our son has been at Play Away Day Nursery - City for several years now. Our experience with the nursery has been great. The staff are all very caring and professional and our son enjoys going.
There are always creative games and activities laid out for the children to play with. I think it is clear
that the staff are passionate and work hard to enrich the children.
Staff have also collaborated with us to help our son in areas he finds difficult, and they also have great resources for SEN children. I'd recommend this nursery to other parents in the area.
Reply from Natalie Hunt, Head of Marketing at Play Away Day Nursery - Southampton City
Thank you so much for your review and recommending Play Away Day Nursery - City! We're delighted to hear about your wonderful experience and that your son's needs are well supported and he enjoys…read more
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Review from A F (Mother of Child) published on 8 August 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been at Play Away - Southampton City for almost 4 years. He loved going in every morning.
The staff are very friendly, supportive, and they provide him with so much care, attention, and positivity. They really care about children's learning and development and ensure parents are involved
too.
My son learned a lot, developed many friendships and has developed from a baby to a confident boy.
Reply from Sid, Senior Marketing Executive at Play Away Day Nursery - Southampton City
Thank you for the lovely review and we are delighted to hear about your son's positive journey at our nursery over the past four years.
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Review from Ewa M (Mother of Child) published on 10 July 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Lovely staff showing dedication and patience to the children.
Thank you for helping with potty training, caring when my son wasn't feeling well, making every day a fun environment to go to which was always very important. My son has been attending nursery for a year and a half now and he loves it in
there. He always goes there with a smile and comes back home still smiling.
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Review from Tracey R (Mother of Child) published on 17 April 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My children have been at Play Away since 2018. The staff are amazing, you can see they truly care for your children.
Both my children have learnt so much by attending Play Away. If I have my time again, I would still pick Play Away.
They are dedicated to your children and their needs. The admin staff
are also amazing, will go and out of their way to helps.
Reply from Harjit Tak, Digital Marketing Executive at Play Away Day Nursery - Southampton City
Thank you for the review and saying our staff are amazing.
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Review from D P (Mother of Child) published on 17 April 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My 3-year-old is very happy at Play Away Day Nursery. It is evident how influential his keyworkers and nursery staff are in his cultural education, development needs and expectations and communication. My son has many allergies and the nursery have been absolutely vigilant regarding managing his dietary
requirements, which as a mother, is so very reassuring. Would highly recommend Play Away to all parents.
Reply from Harjit, Digital Marketing Executive at Play Away Day Nursery - Southampton City
Thank you for the review and lovely to see your little one is happy at our nursery.
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Review from S M (Mother of Child) published on 2 March 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son started at Play Away Day Nursery in June 2022. We had never left him alone with anyone and we were apprehensive but nursery staff were reassuring and just kind really (to him and to us!) He did struggle to settle and again staff were quick to act to ensure he was in the most nurturing environment
possible to support his transition and advised a move to the cosy and delightful Little Owls. After one session in the Little Owls, he was back on track - happy, playing and smiley. Great advice and absolutely the right decision. He just needed a bit of time really and now he loves being back in the Hungry Caterpillars.
Staff in the nursery have such a great energy. They are on hand to tell us about our son's day, his activities and his learning journey. We are always left feeling that they really care for him - when they talk about what he's done it's with a sense of pride.
The recent Ofsted rating of Good is well deserved. Lovely, passionate staff who know their stuff.
Reply from Harjit, Digital Marketing Executive at Play Away Day Nursery - Southampton City
Thank you for the review, we love creating a nurturing environment and are pleased your son is cared for and enjoying nursery.
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Review from R H (Mother of Child) published on 28 November 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son started at Play Away at eleven months old in March 2021. He was a lockdown baby, and I had spent every minute with him up until that point, so sending him to nursery left me feeling extremely anxious. However, I need not have worried. My son's first key worker, whose care and attention left me
feeling so reassured (and a bit warm and fuzzy inside). At two and a half years old, he has continued to thrive with the support of this dedicated team and is now in Elmer Elephants with another wonderful key worker. He loves to tell me about his adventures with her and his friends, and I love to hear them. Watching my son's imagination, speech, numeric, and social skills blossom in this caring environment has been an absolute joy, and it is that care that has allowed him to grow so confidently. To any parent looking for a nursery who is passionate about your child's development, Play Away City day nursery would be hard to beat.
Reply from Harjit, Digital Marketing Executive at Play Away Day Nursery - Southampton City
Thank you for the review and great to hear your son's growth and development has continued to thrive, and that he loves our nursery.
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Review from S Y (Mother of Child) published on 15 November 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
What an amazing group of people! Always so helpful, compassionate and kind. Good teamwork and genuine care for the children. Would 100% recommend anyone to send their babies here. They will be looked after and cared for brilliantly.
Reply from Harjit, Digital Marketing Executive at Play Away Day Nursery - Southampton City
Thank you for the review and saying we are amazing!
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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.760)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.760) out of 10 for Play Away Day Nursery - Southampton City is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 83 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 83 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.760 for Play Away Day Nursery - Southampton City is calculated as follows: ( (764 Excellents x 5) + (218 Goods x 4) + (10 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 992 Ratings = 4.76
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Play Away Day Nursery - Southampton City is based on 83 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 102 number of registered child places is 20.4, which has been reached with 83 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

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Awards / Recognitions (3)

Meet the Team (2)

Lizzy

Lizzy Pennell

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 1997

Hi, I’m Lizzy, the nursery manager at Play Away Southampton City. I have been at the nursery since 1997 and have over 25 years’ experience working in early years.


I started my career as a trainee and have worked my way up to Nursery Manager, taking on the position in 2011. The role allowed me to take on further responsibilities and grow and develop within the nursery.


I have completed a diploma in CACHE, a foundation degree, and hold a BA in childcare and education.


I am the nursery SENCO and the safeguarding lead.


I am a mum of two boys who have both been through nursery. I enjoy taekwondo, jiu jitsu, support my local football club and have a love for Formula 1.


I am incredibly passionate about my nursery and seeing the children develop in the rooms, and supporting my team in providing the best care possible. We are currently introducing the curiosity approach within the nursery, giving children the opportunity to expand on their natural interests.

Melanie

Melanie Mattocks

Job Title: Deputy Manager

I’ve spent the past 8 years working in childcare, alongside 25 years of parenting experience, including raising my own child with ADHD. I hold Level 3 and 5 CACHE Awards in Childcare and a Level 3 SENCO Award, and have worked with all age groups across the EYFS as a room leader, reception staff, deputy manager, and SENCO.


Supporting children with SEN is close to my heart, and I’ve trained in Lego-based programmes, play therapy, and schema play to help every child shine.

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