Kiddie Capers Preschool, Hassocks Parklands

Giant land snails, millipedes and a forest school programme gave this Hassocks preschool a practical, exploratory character in July 2026. Children handled unfamiliar creatures and turned their discoveries into craft projects. Those experiences gave them something concrete to discuss and create.

At its 8 July 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged inclusion to be a strong standard, the other assessed areas to meet the expected standard, and safeguarding standards to be met. Kiddie Capers Preschool, Hassocks Parklands has 39 places in total across the setting and accepts children aged 24 to 60 months.

In July 2026, the forest school programme involved learning to handle tools and equipment safely and exploring nature. An encounter with a tarantula prompted children to make spiders of their own. Outdoors, bug searches used laminated checklists, while adults encouraged children to remember earlier discoveries. These activities connected observation, conversation and making.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, July 2026 activities combined practical independence, emotional understanding and preparation for writing. Children shaped faces from play dough and discussed feelings, exercising their fingers while finding words for emotions.

Building with bricks and completing puzzles also gave children opportunities to persist with a task. In July 2026, children helped one another find missing puzzle pieces and shared the pleasure of finishing. Learning included cooperation as well as individual achievement.

At the July 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and children known or previously known to social care, were making exceptional progress from their starting points. In July 2026, support involved monitoring development, seeking specialist advice and arranging referrals promptly, with leaders reviewing how strategies worked.

Daily routines also encouraged independence that month: children practised using tongs for snacks, pouring drinks and managing lunch packaging. Staff offered reassurance around unfamiliar visitors. Birthday photographs helped children recognise how they had grown and what they could now do.

Families received guidance on supporting learning at home in July 2026. Links with local schools included attending school events to help children become familiar with their next setting.

The address is 1st Hassocks Scouts, Parklands Road, Hassocks, BN6 8LF. The preschool operates during term time and closes for school holidays. Opening hours are 8.30am to 5pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 8.30am to 1pm on Friday. The shorter Friday opening matters when planning a working week.

• Consistency of teaching. In July 2026, visual prompts and strategies for developing speech and language were still being established across staff practice. Ask how these are now used throughout the day.
• Play during routine tasks. In July 2026, simultaneous snack preparation and cleaning sometimes diverted staff attention from children's chosen play. Ask how routines now protect time for adult interaction.
• Term-time attendance. School-holiday closures and the shorter Friday opening shape the practical fit. Would this timetable cover your family's childcare needs?

Kiddie Capers Preschool, Hassocks Parklands suits families seeking term-time preschool care and an emphasis on exploration and growing independence. In July 2026, inclusion carried the highest area judgement, while teaching and routines needed greater consistency. The strongest decision is whether that educational character and Tuesday-to-Friday timetable fit the child and the family.