Little Chums Pre School, East Grinstead

Garden beams, steep woodland hills and children inventing stories shaped the May 2022 account of Little Chums: an active preschool day with language woven into play. At its May 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and found that staff used their knowledge of individual children to extend learning effectively.

The setting has capacity for 30 children aged 24 to 60 months. Its term-time calendar makes the school holidays an important part of a family's childcare planning.

In May 2022, children spent much of their day in the garden and surrounding forest areas, balancing on beams and tackling steep hills. These were opportunities to practise movement and persistence through actual physical challenges. Books also drew children into conversation: they shared stories with adults and created their own.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, the May 2022 examples show learning through play, conversation and exploration. During a science experiment, a practitioner introduced unfamiliar vocabulary and repeated it so children could hear the words again. Everyday play became a chance to stretch language.

Independence had practical expression in May 2022. Children requested help with shoes, knew where their belongings belonged and used pegs to keep their pictures on a washing line. Adults supported tasks children were learning to manage themselves.

At the May 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and SEND support well organised, with parents, other professionals and support funding brought together around children's needs. Those are dated findings, rather than a judgement on today's practice.

In May 2022, individual help with separating from parents supported settling, while children included one another in play. Daily conversations and online updates connected families with the preschool day. Staff also supported children speaking more than one language by learning words used at home.

Team support mattered too. In May 2022, staff received help from management and colleagues and had opportunities to identify further training. The two improvement priorities concerned clearer explanations of rules and more deliberate attention to children's cultural backgrounds.

The address is Sports Pavillion, East Court, Collage Lane, RH19 3LR. Opening hours are 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; the setting closes for school holidays.

In May 2022, the preschool accepted funding for early education for children aged two, three and four. That describes its funding arrangements at that time.

• Explaining rules. In May 2022, adults did not consistently explain why instructions mattered, leaving children less clear about consequences. Clear reasons matter alongside reminders.
• Cultural understanding. In May 2022, support for home languages was stronger than planned exploration of children's heritage. Families should weigh both aspects of inclusion.
• Outdoor continuity. Garden beams and woodland hills featured prominently in May 2022. How are these outdoor experiences organised for children now?

Little Chums suits families seeking term-time preschool provision, with the May 2022 account giving a concrete picture of outdoor movement, storytelling and growing independence. The Good judgement sits alongside two specific teaching priorities. Its calendar is a practical consideration for families needing childcare through school holidays.