Tillys Preschool

Shared play, a role play kitchen and outdoor climbing shaped the October 2022 inspection picture of Tillys Preschool at Croygas Sports Ground. This Wallington setting has 50 places in total. At its October 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) received targeted support coordinated with outside agencies.

The strongest detail is in the children's day: choosing resources, helping one another and turning an interest in autumn leaves into a conversation about the seasons. Those examples belong to October 2022, but they give parents a concrete account of the practice behind the grade.

Attendance is offered on weekdays during term time, with morning, afternoon and full-day sessions plus an additional afternoon hour.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum provides the framework for learning and care, with play supporting children's language, independence and developing skills. It is the common foundation for early years provision; the useful detail here is how activities translate it into a child's day.

In October 2022, children chose materials for themselves and developed pretend cooking in the role play kitchen. Children of different ages could play together, and some helped others locate resources. That combination gave them opportunities to make decisions and cooperate, rather than simply follow an adult-led activity.

Circle time brought stories and singing together. In October 2022, children voted for a song after a story, while staff used questions and pauses to encourage conversation and recall. Choosing a song gave children a say in the group activity; talking about a story created opportunities to practise listening and speaking.

Mark-making was adjusted to children's stage of development. In October 2022, toddlers practised straight lines, while older children attempted letters from their names. The tasks connected early drawing with the beginnings of writing, with different challenges for younger and older children.

Outdoor and Community Life

In October 2022, outdoor play included climbing equipment, sand exploration and listening to aircraft overhead. These were different ways to use the outdoor space: movement, hands-on exploration and attention to sounds.

Autumn leaves also became a teaching opportunity that month. Staff followed the children's interest and discussed the season and possible uses for the leaves. It is a useful example of learning beginning with something children had noticed themselves, rather than requiring a separate planned task.

In October 2022, independence included managing personal care and support with potty training, with a timer used as a reminder to visit the toilet. For a family working on the same skills at home, this is a practical part of the preschool day, alongside play and early learning.

At the October 2022 inspection, Ofsted identified two improvements: staff needed more effective ways to help children learning English as an additional language communicate their needs, and parents needed fuller information about learning and daily activities. These are specific issues to weigh against the positive findings, especially for families whose child uses another language at home.

The communication point matters beyond a daily account of what happened. Knowing which skills a child is practising helps parents connect home activities with preschool learning. The language-support finding likewise concerns children's ability to make their needs understood, as well as their participation in activities.

Sessions and Attendance

The Croygas Sports Ground branch is at 48 Mollison Drive, Wallington, SM6 9BY. Its sessions run Monday to Friday during term time.

A full day runs from 9am to 3pm. The morning session is 9am to noon, and the afternoon session is noon to 3pm. An additional hour, from 3pm to 4pm, can extend either the full day or the afternoon session. The distinction matters when planning collection: the later finish is an addition to the session, rather than its standard end time.

These patterns allow families to choose a shorter morning or afternoon as well as a full preschool day. Term-time attendance also makes the holiday-care question part of the decision, rather than something to address after choosing a session.

Funding and Paid Extras

Government funding is accepted, alongside tax-free childcare and childcare vouchers. Private sessions and the additional afternoon hour are charged separately as booking options; current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

For enquiries, the branch can be contacted on 077 4007 4007 or at csground@tillyspreschool.com.

• Language support. The October 2022 improvement point concerned helping children learning English as an additional language express their needs. During a visit, ask how staff establish a child's home-language needs and support communication throughout the day.
• Parent communication. Fuller information about children's learning and activities was requested in October 2022. Ask to see how updates now connect a child's experiences with their next steps.
• Term-time planning. Morning, afternoon and full-day sessions operate during term time, with an extra afternoon hour as an option. Families needing holiday care should factor that into their choice.
• The complete booking quotation. Funding and private payment are both accepted.

Tillys Preschool suits families seeking term-time morning or afternoon sessions, as well as those wanting a full preschool day with the option of a later collection. The October 2022 picture combines child-led play, shared activities and practical independence with two clear areas for scrutiny: support for children learning English as an additional language and communication with parents. Those points give the decision useful substance beyond the Good grade.