Bus Stop Pre-School

Bird calls, tree climbing and a reading tent shaped Bus Stop Pre-School's outdoor character at its March 2025 inspection. At its March 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good and found safeguarding effective, while requiring better curriculum engagement and staff deployment. The appeal is concrete: learning built around nature, with clear improvements still needed.

With capacity for 24 children, the setting accepts ages from 18 months to five years. Its address is Kitchen Garden, Polesdon Lacey Estate, Great Bookham, RH5 6BD.

In March 2025, the outdoor layout included a role-play kitchen, a reading tent and space for making art. Children also used a tree swing area and sand pit. These gave them different ways to explore, imagine and play with friends within the open-air setting.

The early years foundation stage covers children's learning, development and care, including language, physical skills and relationships. In March 2025, bird listening, outdoor movement and sharing and turn-taking gave children practice in these areas. Here, the forest school philosophy linked learning with outdoor exploration: in March 2025, children climbed trees, balanced along fallen trunks and explored the estate grounds on wonder walks.

Listening had a practical purpose. During March 2025, children matched sounds from birds around them with an interactive book, drawing on things they had already noticed outdoors. Cutting tools were another part of the day, used with close adult supervision. Children could practise handling equipment as well as testing their movement outdoors.

In March 2025, staff built close relationships with children, who helped friends after a fall and practised sharing and turn-taking. Adults supported children who needed help putting on weatherproof clothing, while encouraging them to manage it themselves. Handwashing before food and drinking water were part of the routine.

Communication with families included accounts of the day and feedback on children's development. Staff also led dance activities. The care picture included both conversation and movement, rather than outdoor exploration alone.

Bus Stop Pre-School opens during term time, Monday to Thursday, from 9am to 4pm, and closes for school holidays. This makes the weekly calendar an important part of the decision for families needing care across the working week or throughout the year.

In March 2025, the setting was eligible to receive funding for early education for children aged two to four. That dated position should be kept separate from the arrangements for an individual child's attendance.

• Engagement across learning. In March 2025, activities sometimes failed to involve every child fully or give them enough scope to develop their own ideas. Look for how outdoor interests lead into broader learning rather than stopping at the activity itself.
• Staff deployment. During March 2025, other duties sometimes drew adults away from children for extended periods, reducing learning opportunities. How staff organise those duties matters alongside the outdoor layout.
• Your attendance pattern. Term-time opening runs from Monday to Thursday. At a visit, what booking pattern and funded-hour arrangements would apply to your child?

Bus Stop Pre-School's term-time calendar suits families whose attendance needs fit Monday to Thursday; the outdoor provision observed in March 2025 adds appeal for those who value learning through nature. The March 2025 account gives that character substance through bird listening, tools and movement around the estate. Its Good judgement sits alongside two meaningful priorities: keeping every child engaged and organising staff duties around children's learning.