Flying Start Montessori Preschool

Washing up, balancing beams and letters traced in sand give Flying Start Montessori Preschool a practical, hands-on character. At its March 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good and judged safeguarding effective. The strongest impression is of children learning to do things for themselves, alongside adults who extend their play.

The preschool has 30 places in total and accepts children aged 18 months to five years. Its home is the Scout Association premises in Kecksys, Sawbridgeworth, and its calendar follows school terms.

In March 2025, children chose activities independently and staff joined their play to develop ideas. The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for learning, development and care: here, the inspection-time examples included language through stories and songs, physical activity and practical tasks.

Balancing beams, slides and tricycles gave children different ways to practise movement. Handling play dough and pouring coloured pasta exercised their hands. Older children explored letters through sand tracing and painting, connecting early literacy with activities they could manipulate themselves.

A sensory scavenger hunt encouraged children to notice sounds, leaf textures and scents. There was an important limitation: younger children were not consistently drawn into these adult-led activities. The opportunity was valuable, but participation needed closer attention.

At the March 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities received individual support involving local authority inclusion officers, staff training matched to children's needs, home visits and regular family meetings. These are concrete mechanisms for connecting support at preschool with life at home.

In March 2025, staff helped children manage coats and shoes, while a tissue station supported independent nose wiping. Supervision covered children throughout their activities, and adults encouraged considerate play and tidying resources.

Communication at that time combined termly meetings, newsletters and daily conversations with parents. Christmas parties and graduations also brought families into preschool life. Guidance on online safety added a practical topic beyond day-to-day learning updates.

The address is Scout Association, Kecksys, Sawbridgeworth, CM21 9DT. Opening hours are 8.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; the preschool closes for school holidays. This calendar matters for families whose childcare needs continue beyond term dates.

In March 2025, the setting provided funded early education for eligible children. That dated participation should be distinguished from a family's individual entitlement and proposed attendance arrangement.

• Younger children's participation. In March 2025, adult-led activities did not consistently include younger children. Ask how activities are adapted across the preschool's age span.
• Handwashing queues. March 2025 routines involved congestion and lengthy waits, leaving some children unoccupied. Ask how the lunchtime routine now keeps children engaged.
• Term-time planning. School-holiday closures shape the childcare commitment. At a visit, discuss which booking pattern and funding arrangement would fit your family's week.

Flying Start suits families seeking term-time preschool with an emphasis on practical independence and learning through play. The March 2025 picture combines hands-on activities with specific family-support mechanisms. The decision points are equally concrete: younger children's involvement in adult-led learning and the organisation of everyday routines deserve attention.