St John's Sunshine Pre School

A home-made dinosaur egg gave children something tangible to wonder about at St John's Sunshine Pre School in May 2026: a crack prompted eager conversation about hatching. That small episode captures the appeal of this community preschool in Copthorne, where play supplied a practical starting point for language and discovery.

At its 13 May 2026 inspection, Ofsted assessed all six areas at Expected standard and found safeguarding standards met, while identifying improvements needed in teaching, health education and independence. The setting has 40 places in total; those attending in May 2026 were aged two to four.

In May 2026, communication shaped the activities and staff interactions. Younger children heard words repeated clearly, while older children practised conversation by exchanging experiences and ideas. Pictures gave children another way to express what they wanted. These were concrete ways to make participation less dependent on confident speech.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the May 2026 examples included imaginative play, conversation, physical activity and making marks: learning involved doing and talking, rather than simply listening.

Outdoor activity had substance. In May 2026, children used a secure garden for climbing, running and hula hooping, while stencils, playdough and spray bottles exercised smaller movements. Cleaning muddy dinosaurs combined a playful task with practice controlling hands and fingers. The balance gave children opportunities to work both large and small muscles.

At the May 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that familiar key people helped children feel emotionally secure, and that children facing learning barriers received effective support, including personalised next steps, one-page profiles and timely specialist referrals. Those mechanisms matter because support can follow an individual child's needs rather than depend on a general activity plan.

In May 2026, morning discussions revisited rules about gentle behaviour and sharing toys. Children explained what those rules meant, giving staff an opportunity to connect actions with other people's feelings. Familiar adults also helped children recover their composure when emotions became overwhelming.

Daily care offered opportunities for independence in May 2026. Children served fruit with tongs and poured drinks themselves. Yet coat storage was beyond their reach, leaving adults to distribute and hang up belongings. Handwashing routines were established, but explanations of why hygiene mattered needed more attention. Practical habits and understanding were not equally developed.

The address is Delmar Morgan Centre, Copthorne Bank, Copthorne, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 3QX. In May 2026, opening hours were Monday to Friday, 8.45am to 2.15pm. That is a daytime window to weigh against a family's working hours and other care arrangements.

• Teaching consistency. In May 2026, staff sometimes missed opportunities to develop children's spontaneous questions and interests. The issue was extending learning during play, rather than simply providing activities.
• Understanding healthy habits. In May 2026, hygiene routines were stronger than explanations of their purpose. Children needed more help connecting the action with keeping themselves healthy.
• Everyday independence. In May 2026, inaccessible coat storage restricted what children could do for themselves. Older children needed more opportunities to take responsibility for ordinary tasks.
• Attendance arrangements. The May 2026 opening window ran from 8.45am to 2.15pm on weekdays. At a visit, what booking pattern would fit your child's routine and your family's care needs?

St John's Sunshine Pre School suits families seeking community preschool provision with practical play and an emphasis on communication. Its May 2026 experience combined garden activity, imaginative discovery and familiar adult relationships. Teaching consistency, explanations of healthy habits and opportunities for independence are the substantive points to weigh alongside those strengths.