Little Sunbeams Pre-school

A ground-floor suite with direct access to a garden gives Little Sunbeams Pre-school a clear practical appeal: indoor play and outdoor exploration sit close together. Based at Waypoint Church in Fareham, it welcomes children aged two to four. Its character is that of a community preschool, with parents able to contribute through a committee as well as through conversations about their own child.

At its June 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and found safeguarding effective. That judgement provides a useful reference point, but the detail matters too: children chose their play, explored water and mud, and built relationships with staff. There were also improvements to make in handling disagreements and encouraging independence.

Opening hours are 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. The combination of garden access, an individual key person and parent involvement gives families several concrete reasons to consider it.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) shapes the curriculum, bringing together communication, physical development, relationships, early mathematics and other areas of learning through play. This is the educational framework, rather than a special programme unique to Little Sunbeams. The nursery's additional approach is In the moment planning: practitioners observe what interests a child, join their activity and extend the learning there and then. A child's chosen game can therefore become the starting point for teaching.

Continuous Provision means keeping resources accessible so children can return to activities, practise skills and develop ideas indoors and outside. Construction materials, books, water play and opportunities to make marks are part of that arrangement. The emphasis is on giving children time to pursue an interest, with adults supporting and extending their play. It also allows a child to watch before joining in, rather than requiring immediate participation.

In June 2022, water play brought early science and mathematics together. Children transferred water between containers, then added ice and discussed changes in temperature and melting. Large foam bricks outside and a train track indoors offered different kinds of construction. These examples show how practical play could introduce ideas about quantities, change and how things fit together.

Outdoor and Community Life

The garden connects directly to the ground-floor accommodation, making outdoor play part of the everyday offer. Resources are organised for learning both inside and outdoors, so the garden is more than a separate place for a break.

In June 2022, children used large spades in a mud area and mixed mud with water in the mud kitchen. They could choose between indoor and outdoor activities. That freedom gave them a say in how they spent their time, while digging and building brought physical effort into their play.

Community involvement also reaches the organisation of the preschool. Parents can join its committee, and regular meetings bring together staff, parents and independent committee members to discuss business decisions. For families who want to contribute beyond their child's own learning updates, there is a practical route to doing so.

Relationships and Communication

Each child has a key person and a co-keyperson, with both allocated before the child starts. The key person follows development, learns about interests and family circumstances, and maintains a Tapestry learning record online. The co-keyperson provides another familiar contact across sessions. This gives parents a clear starting point for sharing information from home and discussing their child's experience.

Settling is treated as part of that relationship, with attention to individual children and their families. Parents can discuss concerns about an allocated key person, and a different allocation can be considered. General conversations usually take place around sessions, with appointments also possible; families can download the learning journal when their child leaves.

In June 2022, parents contributed through daily conversations and questionnaires, while children discussed changes to their surroundings and voted on events. Staff also exchanged information with other settings attended by the same children. These were useful ways of connecting a child's experiences across home and childcare.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the June 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that staff supported children with language delays through visual prompts and signing, and worked with parents and other professionals when developmental concerns arose. Questions were followed by time for children to think and answer. The practical value was support built into communication and everyday routines, rather than relying solely on a separate activity.

The deputy manager holds the SENCO role, while safeguarding responsibilities include a designated lead and a deputy lead. Those roles give families identifiable responsibilities to discuss when a child needs additional support. A qualified first aider is present throughout attendance.

Two limitations from June 2022 deserve equal attention. Adults did not consistently help children manage disagreements over shared resources, and sometimes undertook simple tasks children could do themselves. Both matter in a preschool: learning to negotiate and practising everyday tasks are part of becoming more independent.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Waypoint Church, 255 Hunts Pond Road, Fareham, PO14 4PG, with the preschool accommodation at the rear of the church. It opens from 9am to 3pm on weekdays for 38 weeks a year, during term time. School holidays are closures, so the calendar is a central consideration for working families.

Enquiries can be made by telephone or email, and visits are arranged by appointment. An application form expresses interest; a full registration pack follows once a start time has been agreed. Children do not need to wear uniform, although preschool T-shirts and sweatshirts can be purchased.

The illness policy requires children who have had vomiting or diarrhoea to remain away until 48 hours after symptoms stop. That has a direct consequence for backup childcare and returning after illness.

Funding and Paid Extras

Little Sunbeams accepts two-year funding, 30-hour funding and standard funding for three- and four-year-olds. Attendance is term-time only.

There is no registration charge and no additional charge for consumables. These are useful distinctions when comparing the overall cost of starting and attending preschool, rather than looking only at paid childcare hours.

• Term-time calendar. Opening is limited to 38 weeks a year, with school-holiday closures. Families needing care throughout the year will need to plan around those breaks.
• Independence and disagreements. In June 2022, adults sometimes stepped in on tasks children could manage and used inconsistent approaches to minor conflicts. At a visit, ask how staff now help children practise self-care and resolve disagreements.
• Funding and attendance. Two-year, 30-hour and standard three- and four-year funding are accepted. Ask for a written quotation covering your intended attendance, funding arrangements and meals.

Little Sunbeams suits families seeking a term-time preschool for a two- to four-year-old, with direct garden access and clear individual contacts for parents. In the moment planning and Tapestry give substance to its account of child-led learning and communication. Parent committee involvement adds another way to take part.

The June 2022 Good judgement is a positive reference point, alongside specific concerns about independence and handling disagreements. Those concerns make useful visit questions. The strongest fit is for families whose childcare needs align with the term-time calendar and who value an active relationship with their child's key person.