Toybox Pre-School

A sand timer for sharing a favourite toy and headphones for listening to stories give Toybox Pre-School a recognisable early-years character. These were features of its October 2021 provision, rather than a description of today's daily routine.

Ofsted judged the setting Good on 1 October 2021 and found safeguarding effective. Toybox has 26 places in total, at Wentworth County Infant School in Dartford; children attending at that inspection were aged two to four.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: everyday play sits alongside experiences that develop communication and practical skills.

In October 2021, children drew stories into construction play, building with bricks and recalling a familiar tale. The book area supported both browsing and listening through headphones, while books introduced different customs and cultures. Children could engage with stories in more than one way.

Outdoor play that month included bicycles, scooters and ride-on toys, with children also singing together on see-saws. Staff reminded children how to use the slide safely. Learning about health had practical examples too: children rehearsed toothbrushing using toy teeth and chose fruit at snack time.

At the October 2021 inspection, Ofsted found that settling arrangements helped children build secure relationships with their key person and that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities received effective support.

In October 2021, staff helped parents seek specialist assistance, including from the specialist teacher service, and worked with other agencies. Parents contributed information about children's starting points and received regular progress updates. Information also passed between settings children attended, supporting continuity in their care and learning.

The address is Wentworth County Infant School, Wentworth Drive, Dartford, Kent DA1 3NG.

In October 2021, opening hours were 9am to 3.30pm on weekdays during term time. The setting then received funding for children aged two, three and four. These arrangements belong to that dated account.

• Matching activities to children. In October 2021, some activities and resources were insufficiently tailored to children's learning needs. Individual planning is an important point for families weighing the provision.
• Time to answer. That October, staff sometimes supplied answers before children had enough thinking time. This matters for children developing confidence in expressing their ideas.
• Planning attendance. The October 2021 pattern was term-time weekday opening. At a visit, what attendance patterns and funded-hours arrangements would fit your family's needs now?

For families looking for story-based play, outdoor activity and a key-person relationship, Toybox merits consideration. Its October 2021 account gives concrete examples of these, alongside two clear weaknesses in activity planning and conversational pacing. Families seeking term-time preschool care have a useful historical starting point, rather than a current attendance promise.