Honeypot Pre-School

Herbs grown by children, pretend baking and drawing clubs give Honeypot Pre-School a recognisable character: practical play sits alongside conversation, stories and early learning. Those examples come from September 2022, rather than a description of today's activities. At its 15 September 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the pre-school Outstanding.

Based at Stanmore Chapel in Stanmore, Honeypot has 25 places in total. Children attending in September 2022 were aged two to four; current funded provision covers two-, three- and four-year-olds. Morning, afternoon, longer morning and all-day bookings give families different ways to organise attendance.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage shapes learning through activities across seven areas of development. At Honeypot, planning starts with children's interests and existing skills, combining activities children choose themselves with experiences led by adults. This gives children room to pursue an idea while also encountering something new.

Choice has a practical purpose here. Children can select an activity and keep working on it, developing the habit of completing a task. Adult-led activities take place in both smaller and larger groups, so the day includes opportunities to work independently and alongside others.

In September 2022, books, opportunities to write and mathematical exploration were woven into different play areas. Scribbling and drawing clubs brought early mark-making into group activities. A water tray supplied tools for experimenting and discussing mathematical ideas, making language and number part of shared play rather than separate exercises.

Another September 2022 example shows how staff responded to children's ideas: pebbles added to water play became a starting point for talking about waterfalls. The useful distinction is between following an interest and simply leaving children to occupy themselves. Staff used what children were doing to introduce another idea.

Outdoor and Community Life

Outdoor activities are part of the current offer, alongside indoor play, with an emphasis on physical development and understanding the world.

In September 2022, the garden supported play that continued indoors. Children cut herbs they had grown, used vegetables and kitchen utensils, and carried a pretend cake inside to bake. The physical resources mattered because an idea could move between spaces, connecting growing, preparing and imaginative cooking.

Community learning also featured in September 2022. Books, displays and discussions explored the royal family and events in Britain, while resources represented children's backgrounds. Parents joined activities and outings, giving families a part in these shared experiences.

Relationships and Communication

A personal key worker supports the partnership between home and pre-school. Parents can discuss learning and development with key persons, and receive a written progress report each term. That creates both an ongoing conversation and a regular written account, rather than relying on brief exchanges alone.

In September 2022, staff concentrated on children's emotional and social development as they settled and throughout their attendance. Children practised cooperating and treating one another kindly. The emphasis was on relationships as part of the day, alongside activities and learning.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

The current team includes a lead SENDCo and a Speech and Language lead. These are specific responsibilities within the staff structure, giving additional needs and communication development an identified point of attention.

At the September 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, praised the continuity provided by the key-person system and judged support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including communication with parents and outside agencies, exceptionally strong.

Daily routines offered opportunities for independence in September 2022. Children prepared healthy snacks when ready to eat and poured their own milk or water. Pictures on the snack table prompted conversation, including comparing pictured weather with the weather that day. Eating therefore provided opportunities to practise self-care and talk together.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Stanmore Chapel, 96 Marsh Lane, Stanmore, HA7 4HP. Preschool opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9.15am to 3.45pm, with attendance organised around term dates.

Four booking patterns are offered: Short Session Morning runs from 9.15am to 12.15pm; Short Session Afternoon from 12.45pm to 3.45pm; Long Session Morning from 9.15am to 1.15pm; and All Day from 9.15am to 3.45pm. The longer morning extends beyond the short morning, while the all-day option spans both morning and afternoon. These are different commitments, so the choice matters for both a child's routine and family arrangements.

The calendar includes half-term breaks and additional closures for staff training and meetings. Families need to plan around those closures as well as the main holidays. Enquiries can be made through the contact form, by email at honeypotpreschool@yahoo.co.uk or by telephone on 020 8416 3618.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded places are offered for children aged two, three and four. A non-refundable registration charge is also part of the joining arrangements and secures a child's place. Families should obtain current prices in a written quotation from the pre-school.

• The age of the inspection. The Outstanding judgement dates from September 2022. On a visit, discuss how the garden play, drawing activities and support arrangements described then operate now.
• Four session choices. The short morning, afternoon, longer morning and all-day patterns have different finishing times. Consider which routine works for your child alongside work and collection arrangements.
• Term-time planning. Half-term breaks sit alongside training and meeting closures. Build those additional closure days into childcare plans.
• Funded attendance. Funding covers two-, three- and four-year-olds. Before committing, ask how funded hours fit your chosen session and how meals and consumables are handled.

Honeypot suits families seeking a term-time pre-school with a choice between shorter morning or afternoon attendance and longer morning or all-day sessions. Its current approach combines children's own interests, adult-led activities and regular written feedback to parents. The September 2022 examples add useful substance: growing herbs, exploring water and practising independence gave everyday play a clear learning purpose. The session choice and closure calendar deserve equal weight in the decision.