Chuckleberries Pre-School

Water experiments, a fire-station visit and discoveries in the garden give Chuckleberries Pre-School a recognisable character: children have things to investigate, talk about and turn into play. At its 8 November 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the setting Outstanding and found an ambitious curriculum with a strong emphasis on communication.

Based at St James C Of E School on Church Lane, the preschool has capacity for 24 children aged 24 to 59 months. Its school setting is part of the practical appeal, although nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Term-time sessions offer different finishing times, with a privately paid breakfast hour for families needing an earlier start.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care here: play, conversation and practical exploration give children opportunities to develop their understanding and skills. In November 2024, language was woven into activities rather than reserved for a separate lesson. Songs, shared books, signs and visual prompts gave children different ways to communicate.

Water play illustrates that approach. In November 2024, children moved water with sponges and investigated objects in containers, discussing floating, sinking, weight and measure. An everyday resource became a starting point for testing ideas. The useful distinction is the conversation surrounding the activity: children could explore what happened and put their observations into words.

A fire-station visit also carried through into play in November 2024. Children remembered the journey, made maps and assembled rescue scenarios together. Staff used that interest to discuss fire safety. Children drew on the outing in their imaginative play, working together and talking about fire safety.

Outdoor and Community Life

In November 2024, the garden and school field supplied further opportunities for exploration. Children dug for worms, investigated a field mouse nest and used books to learn more about their discovery. Rolling down slopes on the field brought physical challenge into the day, while fishing nets were used to gather leaves and explore different ways of throwing balls.

Trips to the beach also form part of the preschool's offer. Together with exploration of the surrounding area, they give families a picture of a setting whose experiences extend beyond indoor activities. The garden observations are especially useful examples of how a child's discovery can become the subject of discussion and reading.

At the November 2024 inspection, Ofsted found effective safeguarding and highly effective support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, involving parents and other professionals. That dated judgement is a substantial part of the preschool's appeal for families weighing how additional needs will be understood.

In November 2024, staff used visual prompts and signing to help children take part in discussions. Behaviour support included different strategies for individual children, and children used sand timers to organise turns themselves. These are concrete mechanisms: a child could see when a turn would change, rather than relying solely on an adult's instruction.

Communication with families began from the start in November 2024 and continued throughout their involvement with the preschool. Staff exchanged information with parents about children's development. Wildlife care supplied another example of the day-to-day emotional learning: children found safe places for insects and talked about their feelings while handling them gently.

Sessions and Attendance

Chuckleberries operates five days a week during term time. Sessions run from 9am to noon, 9am to 1pm or 9am to 3pm, giving families a choice between a morning, a later finish and a school-length day.

A breakfast hour starts at 8am each day. It must be paid for privately because government funding cannot be used for that hour. This matters when comparing attendance plans: an early start has a different payment arrangement from the sessions beginning at 9am.

Getting There

The preschool's address is St James C Of E School, Church Lane, Pulborough, RH20 1LW; its contact address identifies the village as Coldwaltham. Enquiries can be made by email or telephone.

The preschool operates on a school site. Attendance does not guarantee a Reception place, and families must still apply through the local authority admissions process.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare can be used within the sessions between 9am and 3pm, during term time. For three- and four-year-olds, the entitlements described are 15 hours, or up to 30 hours depending on eligibility; some two-year-olds may also qualify for funding.

Private childcare is also offered. Families should obtain a current written quotation covering their chosen attendance pattern, including the separately paid breakfast hour where required.

• Earlier starts. The 8am breakfast hour is privately paid, even when later attendance uses funding. Include it when comparing the cost of your intended pattern.
• Term-time routine. Attendance follows term time across five days a week. Consider how that fits your family's working calendar.
• Food and everyday supplies. When visiting, what should your child bring for meals and snacks, and how are everyday consumables handled?
• Reception applications. Sharing a school site does not guarantee a school place. Keep the local authority application separate from the preschool booking.

Chuckleberries suits families seeking a term-time morning or a school-length day, with an additional privately paid early hour. Its strongest evidence is the November 2024 account of children turning experiments, outdoor discoveries and a community visit into conversation and cooperative play. The practical choices are clear: different session finishes, funding within the main day and a separate payment arrangement for breakfast.