Little Chums Pre School, East Grinstead

Community woodland, balance bikes and a fairy trail shaped children's outdoor experiences in April 2026, but leadership was the central caution. At the 28 April 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged inclusion Strong standard and leadership and governance Needs attention, with the other assessed areas at Expected standard and safeguarding standards met.

Little Chums has 32 places in total for children aged 24 to 60 months. Its address is Mount Noddy Pavillion on St. Johns Road, RH19 3LQ, in East Grinstead. Its term-time calendar suits families whose childcare needs follow the school year.

In April 2026, physical activity ran through the day: children practised riding balance bikes, worked their hand muscles through sand play and planting, and carried small bags on community outings. Woodland exploration and collecting treasures along a fairy trail gave them things to examine and discuss.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care. In April 2026, this took practical form through counting during play dough activities and finding natural objects on walks. Older children selected books themselves, while a song bag helped younger children rehearse words and actions.

The younger children's experience was less consistent. In April 2026, staff sometimes concentrated their conversations and learning plans on older children, leaving younger children with fewer opportunities to hear familiar stories and songs. That distinction matters for families choosing care at the younger end of the age range.

At the April 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that early assessment, regularly revised support plans and collaboration with families and professionals helped children with SEND progress, with additional funding supporting interventions such as sensory baskets for communication.

In April 2026, staff gathered details of home routines to shape children's care and used familiar objects and reassurance to help children understand changes between activities. Updates about activities and next steps gave parents practical ways to continue learning at home. Staff also sat alongside children at mealtimes, making trying fruit a social occasion.

Leadership support was weaker. In April 2026, regular staff supervision was not organised, leaders' workload kept them away from daily operations, and staff reported pressure on their own wellbeing. The required action was to strengthen oversight through effective supervision, with a deadline of 15 May 2026. That deadline is past; the April judgement remains the position described here.

Opening hours are 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. The St. Johns Road address makes this a preschool option to assess against the family's working day and holiday arrangements, rather than judging its suitability from the outdoor activities alone.

• Leadership follow-through. The April 2026 findings identified gaps in oversight and staff supervision, with action due by 15 May 2026. Ask how supervision now works and how staff workload is managed.
• Attention for younger children. In April 2026, younger children sometimes received less language input and less precise learning planning. During a visit, explore how staff organise stories, songs and individual next steps for this age group.
• Term-time fit. Opening hours end at 3pm and follow a term-time calendar. Families needing childcare beyond that window should weigh the timetable carefully.

Little Chums suits families seeking term-time preschool provision, with an April 2026 experience shaped by woodland exploration, physical play and individual support. Inclusion was its strongest assessed area. The leadership judgement and uneven attention to younger children's language deserve equal weight: appealing activities should be considered alongside the arrangements that support the staff delivering them.