There are now more childcare providers in Wiltshire being rated 'Outstanding' than ‘Requires improvement’ by Ofsted, according to the latest UK league tables.

Nurseries, preschools and childminders across the UK are regularly inspected and graded by education watchdog Ofsted in the same way that schools are, and these ratings can influence where parents send their children.

'Outstanding' is the top rating a childcare provider can receive, followed by 'Good', 'Satisfactory/Requires improvement', and 'Inadequate'.

Of the 240 nurseries and preschools in Wiltshire inspected in either 2022 or 2023, 188 are currently rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted.

40 settings in Wiltshire were rated as 'Outstanding' in every single area rated by Ofsted, which includes overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, effectiveness of leadership and management, and safeguarding.

Only two active Wiltshire childcare providers inspected by Ofsted in the last two years were rated as 'Requires Improvement' in all areas, with two more rated as 'Requires Improvement' in some areas.

However, the latest league table data released by the UK Government does not include providers which were last inspected in 2021 or earlier.

So in no particular order, here are the best and worst Wiltshire nurseries and preschools that have been rated by Ofsted in the last two years.

It should be noted that childminders, although they are a childcare provider, are not included in this list.

This list also does not include nurseries and preschools in Swindon or Salisbury, which are covered separately by the Swindon Advertiser and Salisbury Journal.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Only three childcare providers in Wiltshire were rated 'Requires Improvement' in every area.Only three childcare providers in Wiltshire were rated 'Requires Improvement' in every area. (Image: Getty Images)

The best nurseries and preschools in Wiltshire right now

All of the following childcare providers have been rated 'Oustanding' in every area in either 2022 or 2023.

  • Busy Bees Day Nursery at Trowbridge, Hilperton, Trowbridge, BA14 7GW.
  • Bybrook Pre-School, Yatton Keynell, Chippenham, SN14 7EJ.
  • Leigh Cottage Childcare, Sladesbrook, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1SH.
  • Devizes & District Opportunity Centre, Bellevue Road, Devizes, SN10 2AJ.
  • Townsend Barn Nursery, Townsend Court, Devizes, SN10 1SD.
  • Atelier Nursery Chippenham, Back Lane, Marlborough, SN8 2BP.
  • St Joseph's Nursery, Devizes, SN10 1DD.
  • Cygnets Pre-School, Sandalwood Road, Westbury, BA13 3UR.
  • Apple Tree Nursery, Prince Charles Drive, Calne, SN11 8TG.
  • Ramsbury Pre-School, Back Lane, Ramsbury, SN8 2QH.
  • Stepping Stones, Broadcloth Lane, Trowbridge, BA14 7HE.
  • Bright Beginnings, Warminster, BA12 0BY.
  • The Lookout Day Nursery, Bradford on Avon, BA15 2QD.
  • Cygnets Pre-School, Bratton, Westbury, BA13 4RW.
  • Poppies Daycare Nursery, Tidworth, SP9 7QD.
  • Daisy Chain Pre-School, Station Road, Westbury, BA13 3JL.
  • Springboard, Lodge Road, Chippenham, SN15 3SY.
  • Bright Stars Nursery, Eden Vale Road, Westbury.
  • Box Pre School Playgroup, Box, Corsham, SN13 8NZ.
  • South Hills Nursery, Corsham, SN13 0EG.
  • Little Cuckoos Preschool, Warminster, BA12 7QH.
  • The Learning Meadow, Warminster, BA12 7DU.
  • Little Dragons Preschool, Ogbourne St George, Marlborough, SN8 1SU. 
  • Ludgershall Preschool, Andover, SP11 9RB.

The lowest-rated nurseries and preschools in Wiltshire right now

The following childcare providers were rated 'Requires Improvement' in every area, in 2022-2023.

  • St Mary's Under Fives, George Lane, Marlborough, SN8 4BX.

The following childcare provider was rated 'Requires Improvement' in some areas, in 2022-2023.

  • Mere Pre-School & Nursery, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6EW.