Fetcham Village Pre-School

A shed turned into a bear’s cave gives Fetcham Village Pre-School its most memorable learning example. In May 2025, children followed a story with maps, binoculars and clipboards, then recalled its sequence together. Stories supplied the thread connecting imaginative play and shared learning.

Ofsted rated the pre-school Good on 23 May 2025 and judged safeguarding effective. It has capacity for 30 children; those attending at that inspection were aged two to four. It shares the Fetcham Village Infant School grounds in Fetcham.

In May 2025, weekly themes connected activities rather than leaving each experience separate. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt became a shared adventure, with the shed serving as the story’s cave. Superworm also featured in play dough conversations: staff introduced vocabulary, paused for children to think and encouraged them to recall the book through song.

The EYFS, the framework for early learning and care, connects children’s play with developing communication, independence and understanding of their world. In May 2025, that included tending lavender and vegetables, smelling herbs and examining a wormery. These gave children concrete things to observe and discuss.

Quiet singing signalled changes of activity, while sand timers helped children take turns. The emphasis was practical: learning how to participate in a group as well as remembering a story.

At the May 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that children needing extra help received individual plans informed by advice and daily sessions with their key person, but identified weaker support for children learning English as an additional language and insufficient coordination with other settings children attended.

In May 2025, staff knew families well and regularly exchanged information about children’s learning. Teddy bears placed in village shops extended the story theme into an activity parents could share with their children. Independence also had everyday applications: children poured drinks and took responsibility for their belongings.

The language concern matters. Interactions were not consistently adapted for children learning English as an additional language, and some children disengaged from activities. For children attending more than one setting, weaker communication between providers could also interrupt continuity in learning.

The address is Fetcham Village Infant School, School Lane, Fetcham, Leatherhead, KT22 9JU. In May 2025, opening hours were 8.35am to 3pm on weekdays during term time, and the pre-school received early education funding for children aged two, three and four.

Attending the pre-school does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Language support. The May 2025 findings identified uneven support for children learning English as an additional language. Families affected should discuss how staff adapt conversations and activities for their child.
• Shared attendance. Coordination with other settings needed attention in May 2025. For a child dividing their week between providers, discuss how learning information passes between them.
• Term-time planning. The May 2025 opening pattern followed school terms. What current attendance and funded-hours arrangements would fit your family’s week?

Fetcham Village Pre-School suits families drawn to story-led play, practical independence and activities that parents can continue together. Its May 2025 picture is clearest for families seeking a term-time preschool routine. Language support and communication across settings deserve close attention when assessing the fit for an individual child.