Norwood Grove Pre School

Norwood Grove Pre School is a sessional day-care setting in Croydon, based at The White House on Norwood Grove. At its May 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged overall effectiveness and every assessed area Good, with effective safeguarding. In May 2023, the setting had 25 places and 25 children on roll, aged two to four.

This is a preschool where independence was threaded through ordinary routines. In May 2023, children cut soft fruit and poured their own drinks at snack time, while older children practised taking off and putting on shoes and coats. Those small tasks matter because they turn daily care into confidence and school-readiness practice.

In May 2023, learning followed the Early Years Foundation Stage, the national framework that uses play, conversation and practical activity to build communication, physical skills and early understanding. Circle times, singing, signing and questioning gave children repeated chances to contribute in a group and develop language. Books, scissors, pencils and crayons supported early reading and mark-making.

Themes gave that learning a clear shape. Children recalled a space project, then used the Sea life theme to discuss the risks of contact with a stingray. Mathematics also appeared through shapes, numbers and counting, with more consistent challenge for older and most-able children identified as an improvement priority.

Outdoor growing was another concrete strand. In May 2023, children tended fruit trees outside, with courgettes and runner beans growing in the conservatory. That links food, care and observation rather than treating outdoor time as a break from learning.

Settling was deliberately paced in May 2023: key people worked with parents so new children could settle at their own pace. Staff also shared development records with families, giving home and preschool a common picture of progress.

That May, children followed regular hygiene routines and staff supervised outdoor play and local outings closely. Safeguarding arrangements were effective. Coffee mornings, outings, graduations and Christmas concerts gave families further ways to take part in preschool life.

The setting is at The White House, Norwood Grove, Copgate Path, off Gibson's Hill, London SW16 3EX. It is recorded as sessional day care in Croydon. In May 2023, children were aged two to four; the 25-place figure and the 25 children on roll are dated figures rather than a count of children attending together today.

• Current sessions and ages. The setting is recorded as sessional day care, while the May 2023 inspection covered children aged two to four. Families should establish the current session pattern and age range needed for their child.
• Challenge for older children. In 2023, more consistent extension of older and most-able children's learning was an improvement priority. Ask how practitioners now deepen the challenge when a child is ready for it.
• Growing and family events. Fruit trees, courgettes, runner beans, coffee mornings and Christmas concerts featured in the May 2023 account. Discuss how these activities fit the current routine and booked days.

Norwood Grove Pre School has a clear 2023 character: sessional preschool care shaped by language-rich group activity, practical independence and growing projects. The May 2023 Good judgement gives weight to that picture, including effective safeguarding.

It suits families seeking a sessional preschool experience for a child in the age range recorded at inspection, especially where conversation, self-care and hands-on outdoor learning matter. The Sea life theme and conservatory-grown runner beans show a setting using familiar experiences to prompt questions and vocabulary. Current attendance arrangements are the essential final practical point to discuss.