Cheeky Chums Day Nursery Edgware, Pre-school

Recycling becomes pretend technology at Cheeky Chums' South Parade setting: in April 2022, children turned cardboard boxes into laptops for role play. That small example captures a curriculum built around children's interests and their next steps. Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall, including Good judgements for education, behaviour, personal development and leadership.

This is an Early Years Register setting for children aged three to five, with 50 registered places. The branch sits at 41-42 South Parade, Mollison Way, Edgware, HA8 5QL.

Learning and Named Experiences

The Early Years Foundation Stage frames the work here. In practical terms, staff use play, conversation and planned activities to build children's communication, physical confidence, early mathematics and readiness for school rather than teaching through formal lessons.

In April 2022, leaders planned from children's interests and intended next learning. Children counted objects and matched quantities to numerals, listened to animated readings of familiar stories and expanded their vocabulary. Mark-making and messy play strengthened small muscles, supporting pencil control and detailed drawing. These are useful foundations for Reception, connecting spoken language, early number confidence and the fine-motor control needed for writing.

Environmental learning had a tangible edge. Children discussed keeping the planet clean and reused cardboard in role play. Outdoors, sand, bikes, a slide, gymnastics and dancing gave them several ways to practise balance, coordination and energetic movement.

The registered age range is three to five.

In April 2022, children were happy and settled, separated easily from parents and formed positive relationships with adults and one another. They also handled small responsibilities: after garden time they removed and hung up coats, changed into indoor shoes, and helped clean tables after meals. Independence was embedded in ordinary routines.

Staff worked with parents and other professionals for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Funding was used for targeted resources to address gaps in learning. Parent communication was a strength at that point, with families reporting useful information about their children's progress.

Safeguarding arrangements were judged effective in 2022. Staff understood child-protection procedures, attendance monitoring and how to report concerns; recruitment, vetting and risk assessment were also covered. Two improvement points remained: children needed more opportunities to hear and share home languages, while activity planning needed closer attention to developmental level and suitable resources so children remained engaged.

Sessions and Attendance

Full-day and half-day care are recorded, with the setting open all year, closing on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas. Current booking patterns belong on the family's enquiry list below.

Funding and Paid Extras

Cheeky Chums publishes participation in government-funded childcare schemes; eligibility and branch delivery vary by family and arrangement. Its funding information says meals, consumables and additional activities are outside the funded provision. A current quotation should separate funded hours from food, consumable, activity and additional-hour charges.

Getting There

The address is 41-42 South Parade, Mollison Way, Edgware, HA8 5QL. Access arrangements are another practical point for the initial enquiry.

• Booking patterns. The branch publishes its weekday opening window but not the sessions it sells. Ask for the current timetable and any minimum attendance requirement before comparing it with your working week.
• Home languages. A 2022 improvement point called for more opportunities for children to hear and share their home language. A bilingual family should ask what has changed since then and how their child's language will feature day to day.
• Activity matching. Some activities in 2022 did not always match children's developmental level or provide the right resources. Ask how planning and staff support now keep children engaged.
• Funded extras. Published group information excludes meals, consumables and additional activities from funded provision. Request the branch's current written breakdown before budgeting.

Cheeky Chums Edgware has a clear preschool focus and dated evidence of warm relationships, growing independence and varied early learning. Its strongest details are practical rather than promotional: counting with real objects, animated story sessions, recycled-material role play and active outdoor play.

It is best suited to families seeking weekday preschool care for a three- or four-year-old, provided the branch's actual booking pattern fits. The main questions concern session choice, funded extras and how the two 2022 improvement points have been addressed.