Redbridge Preschool

Sensory soft play, a garden used in all weathers and children stamping their own progress charts give Redbridge Preschool a practical, play-led character. Based on Redbridge Community School Campus in Millbrook, Southampton, it has 24 places in total. Its parent-based management committee also gives families a direct role in how the setting runs.

Ofsted rated the preschool Good on 13 July 2023, with improvements needed in staff understanding of curriculum aims and the challenge offered to older, more capable children. These are useful distinctions: the overall judgement was positive, but the teaching priorities deserve attention alongside the facilities.

Children attending in July 2023 were aged 2 to 4; for September 2026, the preschool announced an extension to children from 9 months. Morning and afternoon sessions can be mixed with breakfast, lunch and after-school clubs.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage guides the day: children develop language, physical skills and relationships through play, alongside early number work, stories and creative activities. This is the shared early-years framework. Redbridge's own curriculum uses Birth to 5 Matters as a planning reference, with individual starting points informing children's next steps.

Most activities are led by children's choices, with some adult-led learning. Heuristic Play means exploring what natural objects can do; role play uses puppets and dressing-up materials, while construction involves bricks, planks and crates. These give children different ways to investigate, make decisions and communicate ideas rather than relying on formal lessons.

Progress has a visible place in that play. Target Stamp charts let children mark their achievements, while the termly 2 Stars and a Wish activity helps them identify achievements and something they would like to learn. That gives parents a concrete way to talk about learning with their child.

In July 2023, a regular science club helped children explore the world around them through questions and discussion. Children also raced toy ducks along guttering and compared their speed, with staff helping them take turns. Favourite stories prompted children to retell familiar narratives to friends. The examples connect practical exploration with conversation and social learning.

Rooms and Outdoor Life

The Jabadao Room provides sensory soft play. Outdoors, the Mud Kitchen and flower beds add messy exploration and planting to the climbing frame, bikes and balls. Garden access continues in different weather, with waterproof outdoor clothing available from the preschool, so outdoor play is part of the ordinary day rather than reserved for dry conditions.

In July 2023, children could spend much of the day outdoors, with running, jumping and climbing built into their experiences. That mattered for children who had less access to a garden at home. The physical provision is a useful counterweight to quieter activities such as books and mark making.

Relationships and Communication

Each child has a key person, and the Red Group and Blue Group organise staff into teams that share information about children's development. When the key person is absent, another team member takes responsibility that day. A settling plan is agreed with parents, with settling sessions matched to the key person's working pattern where possible.

Tapestry, the online learning journal, records photographs and observations and accepts contributions from parents. Staff aim to add an observation each week; individual discussions about development are also offered. WELLCOM is a twice-yearly communication and language audit used to identify speech and language areas needing support. Together, these provide both everyday updates and a more deliberate review of progress.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

The SENDCO and key person meet parents to complete the All About Me booklet, covering interests, family circumstances, eating and hygiene needs, and professionals already involved. Individual Education Plans set targets from the child's starting point. Support can involve speech and language therapists, health visitors, portage and physiotherapy, with recommendations informing those targets.

Current procedures provide for support-plan reviews at least termly with parents and for medical care plans where specific interventions are needed. For children with more complex needs, preparations can affect the starting date; the manager must explain the adjustments and their timeframe. Transition work includes meetings with schools for children with SEND, helping the receiving staff understand their needs.

At the July 2023 inspection, Ofsted found effective safeguarding and good support for children with SEND, including bucket time, an activity using objects to develop attention and listening. Current arrangements include designated safeguarding leads and referral routes for additional family support through the Early Help Hub.

Children clean their teeth during each session, making oral care part of the routine. The adult collecting a child is asked to sign the accident book following an accident, and parents are contacted to collect a child who becomes unwell.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Redbridge Community School Campus, Cuckmere Lane, Millbrook, Southampton, SO16 9RJ. Waiting-list enquiries can be made by telephone on 02380 764211 or by emailing the completed waiting-list form to info@redbridgepreschool.co.uk.

The AM session runs from 8.30am to 11.30am, and the PM session from 12.15pm to 3.15pm. Breakfast club runs from 8am to 8.30am, lunch club from 11.30am to 12.15pm, and after-school club from 3.15pm to 3.30pm. Parents can choose days and combine time slots. A longer after-school club, ending at 4.15pm, was proposed for September 2026 subject to sufficient parental demand.

Four weeks' notice is required to change or cancel sessions. Fees are payable in advance, and absences remain chargeable. The waiting list is ordered by birth date, with factors including entitlement eligibility, time waiting, proximity and siblings also considered.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare includes up to 30 hours through the working-parents scheme, subject to eligibility, alongside 15 hours for eligible two-year-olds and the three- and four-year-old entitlement. Additional hours beyond the two-year-old entitlement attract fees. Working-parent codes must be obtained before the relevant term and reconfirmed every three months; the preschool validates them using a Parent Declaration Form.

Breakfast and lunch club attendance has separate fees; parents provide packed lunches, including during funded hours. Non-funded sessions are charged separately. Current prices come in the preschool's written quotation, and the fees and funding page explains the payment arrangements.

Families supply packed lunches, while snacks follow a four-week menu cycle and a small donation towards them is requested. The lunchbox policy excludes nuts, including peanut butter and chocolate spread, because of allergies; dietary needs are discussed with staff.

Being on a school campus does not guarantee a Reception place. Families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Care for younger children. The September 2026 announcement extended the intended intake to children from 9 months. On a visit, ask how feeding, daily care and settling are organised for babies.
• Challenge for older children. In July 2023, staff did not consistently connect activities to curriculum aims or extend learning for the most capable children. Ask to see how current planning builds on what your child can already do.
• The later finish. The proposed September 2026 after-school club to 4.15pm depended on parental demand. Confirm that arrangement before building your working day around it.
• Family participation and food. Parents help sustain the management committee, and lunchboxes must follow the allergy-related restrictions. Consider the involvement you can offer, and confirm current food practice if your child has an allergy.

Redbridge suits families seeking morning sessions, afternoon sessions or a combination with breakfast and lunch clubs. Its strongest practical appeal lies in play materials children can explore, outdoor access and detailed mechanisms for sharing development with parents. Individual planning and professional liaison also give families needing SEND support specific arrangements to discuss.

The Good judgement from July 2023 sits alongside clear teaching improvements. For older children, the decisive question is how well activities now extend their learning; for babies, it is how the expanded age intake works in daily care.