Play Away Nursery Group

Established in 1990, Play Away was the very first baby nursery to open in Hampshire. The group joined the Family First family in January 2022, bringing with it over three decades of experience and a strong reputation for knowing every child as an individual.

At Play Away, every child's wonderfully unique personality is recognised and celebrated. The team prides itself on truly knowing each child, and promises that Play Away will never grow too big for this not to be the case. The guiding philosophy is simple: Nurture, Care, Inspire.

Nursery spaces are thoughtfully designed to offer children a variety of play and learning choices, with practitioners on hand to gently challenge and guide. Indoors and out, environments are created to spark curiosity, from mud kitchens to vegetable gardens and learning hubs.

Every child is encouraged to develop at their own pace and grow into an independent, confident learner. Consistent, high-quality care is delivered across all settings, with safeguarding always a priority. Every Play Away nursery upholds our Family First commitments.

Play Away nurseries are located across Southampton and the surrounding area.

Explore the nurseries below to find out more, and book a tour when you're ready.

Family First Nurseries

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Our curriculums are built around five core commitments

Critical and creative thinkers

Nurturing curiosity and confidence to imagine, test ideas, and solve problems through exploration.

Sense of belonging

Building secure, trusting relationships so every child feels safe, valued, and confident.

Explorers of our world

Connecting children to nature through outdoor experiences that build resilience and independence.

Confident communicators

Supporting every child to express themselves in ways that are meaningful to them.

Happy and healthy

Encouraging physical activity, healthy eating, and joyful experiences that support lifelong wellbeing.

What to expect on your nursery tour

Curious as to what to expect from one of our open house tours, then read on below…

Meet our team

Learn about our curriculum

Explore funding options

Explore our spaces

Book A Tour

Your guide to enrolment

A snapshot of everything you need to know about enrolling your child, from initial enquiry and nursery visit through to securing your place!

Book online through our super simple “book a tour” feature or call 0330 333 1080 to speak to our friendly Customer Experience Team.

Book A Tour

Your tour is tailored to you and your child. You will explore our indoor and outdoor spaces, meet the team, learn about our curriculum and nutrition, and more, and have all your questions answered.

Our Customer Experience Team will be in touch to answer any questions and talk through next steps when you are ready.

When you are ready, we will send your enrolment form and payment links and guide you through this process. Once completed, your child's place is confirmed.

A few weeks before your child is due to start we will be back in touch with you to book your child's settling in sessions.

Our promises kept through parents words

9.8

Review Score for

94 reviews

March 17, 2026

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My daughter the last 6 months that she is going to nursery her development has been increased! And she has created new friendships and her "teachers" love the interaction! Thank you Playaway for educating my child

Egesta G

March 4, 2026

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Visited and signed up the same day, staff were friendly, professional and very knowledgeable. The vibe was peaceful and my child settled in immediately so much so that they didn't want to leave! Flexible session times and very child orientated.

Rebecca J

October 18, 2025

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Play Away Day Nursery - Southampton City have been amazing with our nearly 2-year-old boy. He has obviously created a great bond with the girls at Play Away since he says all their names at bedtime with a big smile! Always professional and caring, and he loves the activities!

T S

October 18, 2025

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My child enjoys going here, she always talks about staff and children highly, management also take any concerns seriously and they are dealt with quickly.

Trinity H

October 18, 2025

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Excellent parent and child picnic. The nursery really goes above and beyond for the children.

Terry S

October 18, 2025

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My daughter loves coming to nursery. Her confidence grew so quickly once she started here. Any changes she has had, she has been supported to the best of the staff's ability. Whether this was moving from the toddler room to the preschool room or potty training, she was able to do these with ease. All of her individual quirks and differences are also supported and celebrated, meaning she always feels safe and happy here.

J K

July 8, 2025

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Fantastic! Amazing facilities, lovely staff. Children always seem so happy and relaxed in their care. Nothing I could fault, would 100% recommend.

L C

June 24, 2025

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My daughter is in the older babies room and I can honestly say shes a happy and enriched baby each and every time I pick her up. The team are extremely attentive to her behaviour and how she is developing. As a parent, its amazing to be able to hear each day how your child is developing. Play Away is good to your kids!!

C V

June 24, 2025

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Two members of staff have been very welcoming and friendly in helping my son settle in. He is now loving nursery and making lots of friends.

Nicola W

June 24, 2025

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Our son really likes the nursery. He always feels welcome here. Staff is very friendly and kind.

Justyne R

June 24, 2025

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Play Away Nursery has been of great support to my child in her growth and her journey towards school. Staff has been very helpful and supportive to my child through out her time here. Special shoutout to one staff member who has been my child's favourite and helped her immensely in the nursery.

A S

June 24, 2025

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My child is very happy here. She loves coming here and playing with her friends and her teachers are great.

Audi G

June 24, 2025

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The staff were always attentive and caring towards kids. My daughter was happy all the time at pick ups.

Anne L

June 24, 2025

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My son has been coming to Play Away since he was a baby. My wife and I know how much he has been loved and looked after his time here. We feel our child is ready to start school this September because of attending this nursery.

Andy S

June 24, 2025

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The staff of this nursery is amazing, they are always present and taking care of our child, plenty of activities, she enjoy coming on the nursery. Excellent food as well.

Maria G

June 24, 2025

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All staff is lovely and friendly. Overall very good experience, where I feel safe to leave my son. My son feels happy to be a part of Play Away Nursery.

T N

June 24, 2025

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My child has been coming to Play Away for just over a year now and has been through 2 rooms (toddlers and preschool) and she absolutely loves coming. Her room teachers have been absolutely amazing with her and her confidence is blooming. She is always so excited for nursery.

Natasha A

June 20, 2025

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Our child enjoys her time here and always looks forward to coming in.

R S

March 7, 2025

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I am feeling very supported by all staff in the nursery, my son is very happy to spend time there. He is getting more confident with english language.

K O

March 7, 2025

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It's already 3rd year that my child is coming to the nursery, and he loves it. All staff is amazing and is doing a great job.

C P

March 7, 2025

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Lovely nursery. Staff are really caring, my child absolutely love one member of staff in particular. They work on constructive skills every day, they play outside too, they do yoga, dance and singing. My child loves all activities and her friends.

G T

March 6, 2025

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I really interested about Play Away nursery because you are really doing hard work to help and improving the kinds. My daughter when she came from school, she is wonderful and amazing. So keep up. So thanks more.

F K

March 6, 2025

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I am happy for all the service and teaching my children here and I recommend to other family.

T T

March 6, 2025

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Play Away staff always reassure me and update me with my daughter's progress. My daughter always comes home happy and shares with us what fun activities she has done with her favourite teachers. She loves the musical sessions where the kids have the chance to dance and sing. I feel very happy that my daughter enjoys her time at the nursery and I'm confident to trust Play Away staff.

Y I

March 6, 2025

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Very good care. Good contact with staff. I happy that my daughter attends this nursery. Thank you :)

K K

March 6, 2025

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My kid is happy by going to play away to nursery. The teachers are very supporting to each and every need required and assisting all the time. Being a mother, I say I am happy with their service offering to my kid.

M S

March 6, 2025

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My baby girl has joined the nursery Sep 2024 when she was 2 years and 3 months. She had a hard time for the first few weeks due to separation, as she only know me and her father to take care of her. The teachers heps her to feel safe and loved, they all wonderful and caring. Know my baby girl love her day at the nursery. She even find a friend. I recommend them to any parent who is worry about they baby going to nursery for first time. I just wanted to say thanks for all the team.

M k

March 6, 2025

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My daughter has been receiving great support and encouragement transferring from nappies to using there toilet. Furthermore I can notice such an improvement in her speech.

S G

March 6, 2025

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First of all, I really thank you to play away school. Every thing is excellent, the exactly how to treat children, my kids are very excellent in talking, understanding all their progressing. I am full of satisfied of them. So thank u for give me this chance.

Y H

March 5, 2025

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Play Away Nursery has been fantastic for my daughter. She has attended since the age of 9 months and will be going to school in September. All the staff are amazing and have really helped with her development as shes moved up through different rooms.

K R

March 5, 2025

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I'm visiting Play Away Day Nursery for more than seven years and I am quite happy. Always happy to answer and questions and they have helped me many times if I needed extra sessions.

A B

March 5, 2025

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Great nursery and amazing staff. Always welcoming to the parents. Both children attended this nursery, was great first time around and eve better now, was always first choice. Both had same key worked, amazing for both children they loved her!

R M

March 5, 2025

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Great nursery always good feedback form staff considerate staff kids love it here

D M

February 26, 2025

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First of all I really thank you to Play Away school. Everything is excellent, the way and how they treat the children. My kids are very excellent in talking, understanding all their progress. I am fully satisfied of them, so thank you for giving them this chance.

Fiori K

February 18, 2025

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The staff are helpful and very happy. They do the best for my children. All preschool staff are very positive. Still have some concerns about my child's speech, not concerned about understanding. I feel like I can talk to the manager and another staff member. Very helpful.

H B

February 15, 2025

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All the staff in baby's room are so friendly and helpful. My son really enjoys going to his room. Big shout out for 4 staff members in particular. Thank you for all you help with my child's progress. Also the manager, who has been amazing support for years with our family. We love Play Away Day Nursery. All the best in 2025.

M S

January 30, 2025

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Brilliant nursery! Both of my children attend age 2 and 4. They really enjoy their time at the nursery and have good connections with staff. All the staff are lovely and welcoming with high energy and friendly attitudes. The children enjoy Fun and engaging activities. Communication is great and handovers are always detailed. Couldn't ask for a better bunch to care for my little ones.

R G

January 21, 2025

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She has been here since almost 7 months old and not one day she has cried to go to the nursery. That shows the love she has for the nursery. All the teachers have been amazing and I feel that is the main reason she feels connected. She remembers all the teachers names, even those who have left, as they are fantastic and she loves them. My child will miss you all!

K G

January 21, 2025

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We are extremely grateful for the amazing job that is done with our daughter by Play Away Day Nursery staff. She seems to be very happy and active child. Also her learning and exploring abilities have had a huge improvement since starting nursery here.

A G

January 21, 2025

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The team at Play away Day Nursery are fabulous! They've provided child centred care and opportunities for our daughter and have got to know her as an individual. She, in turn, loves attending this nursery/preschool and refers to those who look after her as best friends! We are relieved to have found this childcare, who we trust, appreciate and know our daughter feels safe and cared for by. Thanks to all. It'll be a sad day when she moves up to school and leaves the awesome pre school team and her friends.

K D

January 21, 2025

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Exceptional childcare. My son looks forward to going into nursery each morning, knowing that he will have fun and see all of his friends. Teachers are always kind and caring. Since starting nursery at 9 months old, my son has learned so much and has developed many skills. His speech and sharing skills are a credit to all the staff.

D B

January 21, 2025

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My son has been at this nursery since April 2023, it is a brilliant establishment. Friendly staff and a safe place for the children. I am fully satisfied by the services provided.

S M

January 21, 2025

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The staff at Play Away Day Nursery are truly exceptional, highly qualified and truly caring and passionate about what they do. Every day my son comes home with a big smile and lots of stories about his day. It's a testimony to the wonderful care he gets, especially from two members of staff in particular who are truly amazing with our son. Additionally, facilities are safe, clean and filled with equipment and educational toys for kids to be engaged. Management is also exceptional, especially supporting parents. Overall, it has been a wonderful choice for us. Thank you Play Away Nursery.

W D

November 25, 2024

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I cannot praise this nursery enough! As a very nervous first-time parent, I was incredibly apprehensive about leaving my baby at nursery. However, the staff immediately put me at ease with their warm, caring, and professional approach. They took the time to reassure me, answer all my questions, and truly understand my concerns. The team is fantastic at working with each child individually, tailoring activities and support to their unique needs and developmental stages. It's been amazing to see how much my baby has grown in confidence and skills since starting here. Their dedication and hard work really shine through, and it's clear they genuinely care about the children and their progress. I'm so grateful for the wonderful start they've given my baby, and I feel confident knowing he's in such safe and loving hands. I highly recommend this nursery to any parent looking for a nurturing environment that truly supports their child's development.

M A

October 16, 2024

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We have had a fantastic experience with Play Away. My son attended from 2-4 and now my daughter is here. We are very happy.

Stacie B

October 16, 2024

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Absolutely fantastic. The progress my son has made since he has been here is fantastic. The staff are always energetic and lively and always provide detailed handovers.

Kieran A

October 16, 2024

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I have found this nursery to be wonderful for my child's social development. He has made friends and learned to engage with peers. He is always happy to attend and that reassures me that he is treated well by the lovely staff.

M A

October 16, 2024

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The staff are always considerate towards us and our daughter. She eats better than we do! The food provided is great. Always lots of activities to do for the children. The staff are always mindful of our child's specific needs when presented.

R S

October 16, 2024

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The staff have all been amazing and supporting of my son during his first 6 months at nursery. He always enjoys spending time here and I feel relieved and comfortable dropping him off.

H A

October 15, 2024

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All the staff at Play Away are brilliant! My child loves his nursery and has so much fun! Thank you for making him so welcome and happy!

David H

Play Away Nursery Group