Enchanted Wood Preschool, Little Nest, Blackfen

Sensory room access, daily movement work and classrooms organised around additional needs give Little Nest, Blackfen a clear specialist purpose. Children with complex needs, communication delays or an autism diagnosis are the intended audience, rather than an incidental part of the offer.

The preschool has 27 places in total for children aged 18 months to five years. No Ofsted inspection has been published for this setting yet.

Rabbits accepts children from 18 months with delays in speech, language or social communication; Hedgehogs serves three to five-year-olds with those needs or an autism diagnosis; Owls supports four to five-year-olds with ASD and an EHCP during a deferred Reception year.

Movement activities take place in the large soft play area, including daily sensory circuits and programmes for physiotherapy. Every classroom has sensory room access; uncluttered layouts, gentle lighting and calming music shape the classroom environment. These are concrete arrangements for children whose sensory and physical needs shape their day.

The Early Years Foundation Stage provides the statutory basis for learning through play and developing skills. Alongside that foundation, The Communication Workshop delivers speech and language intervention weekly. Sensory play also forms part of the enrichment programme.

Speech and language professionals, occupational therapists and educational psychologists work with the setting on personalised interventions. A specialist SENCO at each Little Nest site manages its special educational needs caseload, giving families a defined role responsible for coordinating support.

The admissions process includes a home visit and a support meeting involving multiple agencies. That creates a point at which families and professionals can discuss the child's needs before attendance begins.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is 4-5 Wellington Parade, Blackfen Road, Sidcup, DA15 9NB. Full Day runs from 8.30am to 4pm, with an Early Bird session from 8am to 8.30am. Families can choose term-time attendance or an all-year pattern. Whole-day attendance depends on the child being settled and the setting being able to meet their needs.

Enquiries go to info@little-nest.co.uk. Children wear the preschool sweatshirt and t-shirt, sold by Caseys Schoolwear, Blackfen; their own bottoms should allow comfortable movement.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare includes 15 and 30 hours funding. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

• Whole-day readiness. Full Day attendance is conditional on settling and the setting's ability to meet individual needs. Discuss how that decision would be made for your child.
• Specialist provision. Owls serves children with ASD and an EHCP in a deferred Reception year. Explore how its support would fit your child's transition plans.
• Visits and costs. Visits are restricted to families on the waiting list. At the visit, ask how meals and non-food consumables are handled within your proposed funded or paid attendance pattern.

Little Nest, Blackfen suits families seeking specialist preschool provision with sensory facilities and speech and language intervention, with Full Day and optional Early Bird sessions serving term-time attendance or care across the year. The central decision is the fit between a child's individual needs and the support offered, including readiness for whole-day attendance.