Tilly's Preschool

A home-corner cafe, a lending library and children managing their own belongings give Tilly's Preschool at Alexandra Gardens a recognisable character: practical independence sits alongside conversation and imaginative play. These were features of daily life in September 2025, rather than promises of accelerated learning. Small everyday responsibilities matter here.

At its September 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the preschool Good overall and found safeguarding effective. It has capacity for 24 children; the children attending that inspection were aged two to four. The address is 21 Alexandra Gardens, Carshalton, SM5 4LJ.

Term-time attendance includes a morning session and a longer daytime session, with both starting at 9.15am. For families, the important distinction is how much of the day they need covered, rather than choosing between different start times.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and everyday routines help children practise communication, social interaction and practical skills. In September 2025, conversation, independence and preparation for school received particular attention. Children used boards to mark themselves present, put belongings on their own pegs and helped clear activities away. These are concrete opportunities to take responsibility, rather than school preparation reduced to sitting at a table.

Imaginative play also gave children something to talk about. In September 2025, the home-corner cafe encouraged them to share ideas with friends, while the All About Me theme gave space for their own experiences. An art activity drew on a shark book children had enjoyed, connecting something familiar with a new creative task. Following children's interests in this way made the next activity part of an ongoing conversation.

Water, sand, painting and play dough were accessible during the September 2025 visit. A sequin board added another texture for children to explore with their fingers. The variety was tactile as well as visual, giving children different ways to express themselves and take part.

Outdoor and Community Life

The garden's size constrained outdoor physical play in September 2025, and dancing indoors provided one alternative. The improvement priorities were specific: broaden opportunities for physical development inside and outside, and strengthen early mathematics. Balancing, skipping and running needed more attention, while opportunities to extend counting were sometimes missed. Families should weigh those limitations alongside the stronger emphasis on language and independence.

Relationships and Communication

In September 2025, the key-person arrangements gave children familiar adults to turn to, and staff offered comfort while encouraging cooperation and sharing. Personal care included screens during nappy changes and reminders to wash hands before eating. These small routines linked reassurance with growing independence.

Communication with families had several practical forms in September 2025: a newsletter each month, daily activity updates, conversations about development and whiteboard messages. The lending library supported learning at home, while activity ideas offered ways to carry learning into home life. Parents also contributed to the developmental milestones their child's key person planned, and staff reviewed activities with leaders each week.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the September 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that children made good progress, including those receiving additional funding or professional support, and that staff helped children with SEND and children learning English as an additional language understand routines and access resources. Picture-and-word labels on toy containers and a visual timetable were practical examples: children could see what came next and where to find things.

During that visit, staff discussed healthy food choices with children, and a snack trolley allowed them to choose a snack during the rolling snack period. Children also put away their own lunch boxes. Food routines therefore provided another opportunity to practise everyday responsibility.

Sessions and Attendance

Alexandra Gardens offers weekday attendance during term time. The morning session runs from 9.15am to 12.15pm; the five-hour daytime session runs from 9.15am to 2.15pm. Both begin together, so the longer pattern extends the same start through lunchtime and into the early afternoon.

The preschool is at 21 Alexandra Gardens, Stanley Road, Carshalton, SM5 4LJ. Its branch contact details are 0208 669 3240 and agardens@tillyspreschool.com. Term-time attendance is an important boundary for families arranging care around work: the session pattern should be considered alongside arrangements for school holidays.

Funding and Paid Extras

Government-funded childcare is accepted, alongside tax-free childcare and childcare vouchers. Privately paid sessions are also offered. Families should obtain a current written quotation for their chosen attendance pattern so that the payment arrangement is clear before committing.

• Physical play. In September 2025, the small garden limited outdoor activity and the provision needed more opportunities to practise different movement skills. At a visit, ask how balancing, running and more adventurous physical play now fit into the day.
• Early mathematics. The September 2025 improvement priorities included more consistent mathematical learning. Ask how staff extend counting during play and everyday routines.
• Term-time timetable. Morning and longer daytime sessions both start at 9.15am, and attendance is term-time only. Consider which finish fits your family and how holiday care would work.
• Food and everyday supplies. Before joining, ask how meals and everyday supplies are arranged for funded and privately paid attendance.

Tilly's Preschool suits families seeking either a term-time morning or a longer term-time daytime session, with an emphasis on conversation and practical independence. The September 2025 account gives substance to that emphasis: children managed belongings, took part in imaginative play and had familiar adults supporting everyday routines.

The balance matters. A Good inspection judgement sits alongside clear priorities for physical development and early mathematics. Families drawn to the language-rich day and home-learning links should use a visit to explore how those two areas have developed.