Scamps

In July 2025, insect identification charts, water channels and work on a sensory garden gave Scamps a practical, exploratory character. At its July 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), made good progress.

Scamps is at 65a Strathmore Road, Teddington, TW11 8UH, with capacity for 100 children. In July 2025, children attending were aged 2 to 11, across preschool and breakfast and after-school provision. That age span described the children attending then, rather than a preschool group of that size or age range.

In July 2025, learning followed children's interests: insect charts helped them investigate creatures, while containers and channels let them experiment with moving water. The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, care and development; here, play provided concrete opportunities to explore and practise skills.

French lessons, animal encounters and work on a sensory garden added different experiences in July 2025. Food tasting introduced textures and smells, with staff supplying descriptive vocabulary. Outdoors, planks between tyres gave children a balance challenge, supported by guidance on steadying themselves.

Independence also had practical expression that month. Children prepared fruit, cleaned their dishes and helped lay tables. These were opportunities to take responsibility for manageable everyday tasks, alongside the more exploratory activities. Regular observations informed activities that built on children's existing knowledge and interests.

In July 2025, staff learnt about children's routines and interests to support separation from parents. Home-language words and visual prompts helped children understand interactions, and parents contributed stories in their home languages. Quiet areas offered somewhere to settle strong feelings.

Individual support plans drew on specialist advice and were revisited with parents in July 2025. Potty-training workshops gave families practical strategies, while supervised toothbrushing and recipes from different cultures connected health habits with home life. Staff training included sharing ideas with colleagues, giving learning beyond individual courses a place in team practice.

Support for communication and behaviour needed greater consistency. The July 2025 inspection identified two improvements: giving children longer to formulate answers and providing more reliable reminders about behaviour expectations.

In July 2025, the preschool day ran Monday to Friday, from 9am to 3.15pm. Breakfast provision ran from 7.30am to 9am, followed by after-school provision from 3.15pm to 6pm. All operated in school term time.

Funded early education was provided for eligible children in July 2025. The term-time calendar matters for families arranging childcare across school holidays as well as during the working week.

• Term-time planning. All provision operated during school terms in July 2025. How would the current booking arrangement and funded-hours charges, including meals and consumables, fit your family's week?
• Time to answer. The July 2025 improvement concerned children having enough thinking time. During a visit, look for pauses that let children formulate their own replies.
• Behaviour guidance. More consistent reminders were needed in July 2025. Ask how staff now help children understand expectations when play becomes difficult.

Scamps suits families considering a preschool day or breakfast and after-school care within a term-time routine, based on its July 2025 arrangements. Practical independence, exploratory play and home-language involvement gave its provision substance. The two improvement points deserve attention: children's opportunities to speak and understand behavioural expectations matter alongside an engaging activity programme.