Tiny Treasures Preschool

In July 2024, comfortable sofas, shared signing and practical play gave Tiny Treasures Preschool a recognisable character. At its July 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged it Good, found safeguarding effective and praised the support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

The setting has 44 places in total and is based at Tovil Working Men's Club in Maidstone. Children attending in July 2024 ranged from 0 to 4 years old; that is an inspection-time age range.

In July 2024, stories, songs, pretend play and conversation threaded through the day. Older children used the home area to talk through everyday activities, including preparing dinner. Pictures and signing helped children communicate, and signing extended to children supporting their friends.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, its everyday expression included play, conversation and practical exploration. In July 2024, children reluctant to use pencils tried making marks on clipboards in the construction area. That connected an activity they avoided with play they already enjoyed.

Other July 2024 examples were equally concrete. Older children threaded flowers through cardboard, while babies explored putting spaghetti into a colander. These tasks gave children something to handle, attempt and repeat. The golden rules, a shared set of behavioural expectations, sat alongside consistent routines that helped children understand changes between activities.

In July 2024, sofas offered somewhere for children to sit and talk with staff and friends, while babies received close physical comfort. Staff responded to children's emotions with conversation, reassurance and space to play. The practical emphasis was on helping children settle their feelings before returning to activities.

Communication with families also featured in July 2024. Photographs of children's creations were shared at home, and conversations with parents covered learning and continuity of care. Staff worked with outside agencies supporting children with SEND, drawing on their advice and using funding to adapt the environment.

The address is Tovil Working Men's Club, Hearne Court, Tovil, Maidstone ME15 6QD.

In July 2024, opening hours were 8am to 4pm on weekdays, during term time. These were opening hours rather than a stated choice of bookable sessions. At that time, the preschool received funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Challenge in adult-led activities. In July 2024, some activities had insufficiently precise learning aims, limiting opportunities to extend children's learning. Look for how staff now choose the next step for an individual child.
• Term-time planning. The July 2024 opening pattern followed weekdays in term time. What attendance arrangements can the preschool offer now for your child's age and your family's timetable?

Tiny Treasures Preschool suits families who value conversation, practical play and close emotional support, judged on its July 2024 practice. Its July 2024 examples make that character tangible: signing between friends, shared sofas and activities adapted to children's interests. Families whose plans centre on weekday, term-time care have a useful starting point, while the precision of adult-led learning remains the key point to explore.