# The Play Academy

The Play Academy is a full-day nursery at 37 Elm Grove, Southsea, PO5 1JF, in Southsea, Portsmouth. It is registered for 80 children. Ofsted rated it Outstanding at its inspection in January 2024, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025. It has a Google rating of 5.0 from 7 reviews (October 2026).

Page: https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/the-play-academy-ey495125  
Last checked 31 October 2026.

## At a glance

- Type: Full-day nursery
- Address: 37 Elm Grove, Southsea, PO5 1JF
- Registered places: 80
- Phone: 023 9307 2805
- Website: http://www.theplayacademy.co.uk/
- Ofsted URN: EY495125

## Ofsted and official records

Ofsted rated it Outstanding at its inspection on 23 January 2024, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

- Quality of education: Outstanding
- Behaviour and attitudes: Outstanding
- Personal development: Outstanding
- Leadership and management: Outstanding

Safeguarding effective.

Report: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY495125

Official records:

- Ofsted registration: Registered since October 2015 (Reference EY495125). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY495125)
- Inspections on record: 1 inspection (latest 23 January 2024). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY495125)
- Registered places: 80 places (the most children it may care for at once). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY495125)

## Fees

Fees, hours and ages: not published yet.

## Hours and ages

Opening hours and ages: not published yet.

## Getting there

Address: 37 Elm Grove, Southsea, PO5 1JF

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=50.790322,-1.088034

- Station: Portsmouth & Southsea, 0.6 miles
- Station: Southsea Hoverport, 0.6 miles
- Station: Fratton, 0.7 miles
- 7 bus stops within 400 m
- Park: Somerstown Community Park, 0.3 miles
- Park: Southsea Common, 0.3 miles
- Park: Ravelin Park, 0.4 miles
- Park: Britannia Park, 0.4 miles
- Park: Omega Park, 0.5 miles
- Playground: Playground, 0.1 miles

NaPTAN, Department for Transport, checked 13 November 2026 · © OpenStreetMap contributors, checked 13 November 2026.

## Places and next steps

Spaces: not published yet.

In Portsmouth there are about 3.3 children under 5 for every registered nursery place. Places are how many children nurseries may care for, not free spaces. Source: ONS Census 2021.

When to apply: https://toddly.co.uk/when-to-apply-for-nursery

## Ratings

- Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 7 reviews (as of 31 October 2026)

## Nearby schools

Distances are in a straight line.

| School | Phase | Ages | Ofsted | Nursery class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottage Grove Primary School and Nursery | Primary | 2–11 | Requires improvement (June 2024) | yes | under 0.1 miles |
| Portsmouth High School GDST |  | 2–19 |  | yes | 0.3 miles |
| Ark Ayrton Primary Academy | Primary | 2–11 | School remains Good (Improving) (July 2024) | yes | 0.4 miles |
| Southsea Infant School | Primary | 4–7 | Report card (June 2026) |  | 0.5 miles |
| St Jude's CofE Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | School remains Good (Concerns) (July 2024) |  | 0.5 miles |
| The Portsmouth Grammar School |  | 2–19 |  | yes | 0.5 miles |
| Bramble Infant School and Nursery | Primary | 2–7 | Standards maintained (February 2025) | yes | 0.6 miles |
| St Swithun's Catholic Primary School | Primary | 2–11 | Standards maintained (February 2025) | yes | 0.6 miles |

## Nearby nurseries

| Nursery | Ofsted | Day fee from | Hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Leapfrog Neighbourhood Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/leapfrog-neighbourhood-nursery-143492) | Good |  |  | under 0.1 miles |
| [Leapfrog Neighbourhood Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/leapfrog-neighbourhood-nursery-ey274463) | Good |  |  | under 0.1 miles |
| [Southsea Nature Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/southsea-nature-nursery-2655061) | Outstanding |  |  | 0.2 miles |
| [Rainbow Corner Nursery School](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/rainbow-corner-nursery-school-143530) | Good |  |  | 0.3 miles |
| [St Jude's Church Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/st-judes-church-nursery-143553) | Good |  |  | 0.3 miles |
| [Bramble Infant School and Nursery (Early Years Childcare)](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/bramble-infant-school-and-nursery-early-years-childcare-ey307547) | Good |  |  | 0.6 miles |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is The Play Academy's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted rated The Play Academy Outstanding at its inspection on 23 January 2024, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

### How many children can The Play Academy take?

The Play Academy is registered with Ofsted for up to 80 children at any one time.

### What is the nearest station to The Play Academy?

Portsmouth & Southsea is the nearest station we know of, 0.6 miles away in a straight line.

### How do I contact The Play Academy?

You can call 023 9307 2805 and visit www.theplayacademy.co.uk.

## Sources

- Registration and inspections: Ofsted, as of 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY495125)
- Rating and review themes: Google, as of 31 October 2026 (https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=The+Play+Academy&query_place_id=ChIJ0R7faJhddEgRKw0syztWaAk)
- Schools: DfE Get Information about Schools, as of 4 November 2026 (https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/)

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.