The Little Orchard Pre School

Real vegetables in pretend play and carrots growing outdoors give The Little Orchard Pre School a practical, hands-on character. In May 2026, children explored food, planting and counting through activities that connected their play with everyday life.

At its 18 May 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged all six assessed areas to be at the Expected standard and safeguarding standards to be met. That is a measured assessment, with specific teaching improvements still required. The Banstead setting has capacity for 30 children; those attending in May 2026 were aged two to four.

In May 2026, learning followed the early years foundation stage, the framework for children's learning, development and care: counting, conversation, physical activity and exploration formed part of children's play. Children peeled cauliflower leaves and used small tools to dig, practising hand movements useful for later learning. Growing vegetables also introduced the relationship between plants, water and sunlight.

A pretend doctor's surgery gave vocabulary a purpose. In May 2026, children used a stethoscope, copied caring actions and explored how bodies work. Show and tell offered another reason to speak, while children chose stories and nursery rhymes. These activities gave conversation a concrete starting point.

Indoors and outdoors were connected by children's freedom to choose where to play in May 2026. Outside, they counted blocks, compared vegetables and built towers. Quiet spaces offered somewhere to pause when the activity became too much.

In May 2026, key people recognised when younger children needed help managing their feelings and spent time supporting them. Staff gathered information from parents to help children settle. Adults also helped with toileting and taught handwashing around outdoor play and meals, bringing personal care into daily routines.

At the May 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that support for children with SEND included reviewed plans and targeted interventions, but language strategies were applied unevenly, some group sessions needed better adaptation, and early intervention was not fully embedded. These limitations matter for children who need adults to respond consistently to their individual learning needs.

In May 2026, staff worked with parents and external agencies, used visual prompts between activities and provided sensory sessions. Leaders arranged supervision and further training for staff. At lunch, adults ate alongside children, making mealtimes shared social occasions.

The address is 80a High Street, Banstead, SM7 2NN. In May 2026, opening hours were 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. That daytime window is a useful starting point for assessing how the setting could fit around family routines.

• Language support. In May 2026, adults did not consistently extend conversation during group activities and child-led play. Ask how staff now apply each child's planned language strategies throughout the day.
• Group routines. Some children lost concentration in May 2026 when sessions were insufficiently adapted. A visit can explore how activities change for different ages and developmental needs.
• Daytime arrangements. May 2026 opening hours ran from 9am to 3pm on weekdays. How do the current attendance arrangements fit your working day?

This setting merits consideration by families drawn to practical preschool learning, with gardening, pretend care and everyday conversation providing concrete experiences in May 2026. Its inspection position was Expected standard across the assessed areas. It best suits parents who value that hands-on character and will give close attention to the consistency of language support and group routines.