Springboard Pre-School

A pair of giant snails and baking with balance scales give Springboard Pre-School’s March 2022 experience its character: children had practical problems to solve and living creatures to care for. At its March 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the pre-school Outstanding, finding that teaching developed children’s interests and that they made rapid progress from their individual starting points.

Based at Holmesdale Cricket Club in Sevenoaks, the pre-school has 16 places in total. Children attending in March 2022 were aged two to four; that age range describes the inspection cohort.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children’s learning, development and care: activities connect learning with everyday play and growing independence. In March 2022, baking brought this together neatly. Children adjusted their mixture’s consistency and used balance scales to compare ingredients, giving mathematical ideas a practical purpose.

Children also had a say in their surroundings. In March 2022, votes for a pool and a pet led to a paddling pool and giant snails. Choosing stories gave them another opportunity to express preferences and accept a group decision.

Physical play had substance too. That March, the climbing frame became part of pirate games, while a large parachute required children to coordinate their movements. Smaller movements supported everyday tasks, including managing shoes and pouring drinks. Conversation accompanied learning: staff listened, asked questions and adapted their language to individual children.

In March 2022, Ruby's Worry prompted children to discuss their own anxieties and reassure one another. Friendships and considerate behaviour sat alongside practical independence, with children managing belongings and clearing away tissues themselves.

At the March 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, with staff understanding how to respond to concerns, child protection procedures covering whistleblowing, and careful checks on risks and recruitment.

Parent involvement was concrete. In March 2022, planning drew on families’ knowledge of their children, and parents of older children had recently attended a workshop about self-care. Cooperation with other settings children attended helped connect their experiences. These are useful examples of support for growing independence before school.

The address is Holmesdale Cricket Club, Worships Hill, Sevenoaks, TN13 2AS.

In March 2022, opening hours were 9am to 3pm from Monday to Thursday, and 9am to 12.15pm on Friday. At that time, the pre-school received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four. These are historical arrangements, rather than a current attendance offer.

• Present-day arrangements. The inspection observations date from March 2022. At a visit, what are the current accepted ages, attendance options and funded-place terms?
• A small overall setting. There are 16 places in total. This is whole-setting capacity, rather than a room size or a count of children attending together.
• Independence before school. In March 2022, pouring drinks, managing shoes and a parent self-care workshop connected play with practical skills. This emphasis will matter to families seeking preparation through everyday routines.

Springboard suits families who value practical exploration and children taking an active role in decisions. Its March 2022 experience combined baking, animal care and physical play with everyday independence. The Outstanding judgement gives that historical picture weight; families considering it today should use the visit to explore the present arrangements.