Tinkerbells Early Years

In July 2023, cardboard-box construction, conversations about feelings and village outings characterised children's experiences at Tinkerbells Early Years. Based at Iwade Village Hall in Sittingbourne, this preschool combines an outdoor offer with a July 2023 account of children developing their own games, welcoming others into them and putting ideas into words. Play has a clear purpose here.

At its July 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated Tinkerbells Outstanding overall and found safeguarding effective. That is a dated judgement, rather than a prediction of any individual child's experience. The setting has capacity for 36 children, and accepts children aged 2 to 5.

Morning and afternoon sessions run on four weekdays during term time. The secure garden and allotment provision are shared features of both Tinkerbells settings; the address and attendance arrangements here relate specifically to Iwade.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: in everyday terms, play supports learning alongside the practical care children need. In July 2023, communication and emotional development shaped the curriculum at Tinkerbells. These were woven into activities rather than reserved for a separate lesson.

Construction provides a useful example. In July 2023, staff responded to children's interest in building by introducing large cardboard boxes. Children turned these into elaborate pretend structures and sustained their games through conversation. The important detail is the connection between an interest and the resources offered: an idea became something children could build, discuss and change together.

Physical play also gave children reasons to explain themselves. During that same month, children devised assault courses while adults prompted them to talk through their thinking. Making fruit kebabs brought together discussion of healthy eating and practice using knives safely, with staff nearby. These examples show how practical tasks could combine language, movement and independence.

Outdoor and Community Life

Outdoor access extends beyond an occasional excursion. Children can use the outside space during the day, and the shared Tinkerbells outdoor offer includes a secure garden and allotment provision. Local walks, park visits and bus outings, undertaken with parental permission, broaden the places children experience.

In July 2023, children explored the village, went pond-dipping at the park and travelled by bus to places of interest. They also visited a local school that some would later attend. These were opportunities to encounter the surrounding community, rather than an admissions advantage.

Dancing and yoga sessions were also part of the July 2023 experience, paid for through additional funding received by the setting. Their value in this account is the extra movement experience they brought alongside children's own physical play; they should be read as activities from that period.

Relationships and Communication

Settling can be planned around the child. Individual settling periods are offered, and families are encouraged to meet their child's key person before starting. Potty training is supported in partnership with parents, so children do not need to have completed it before attending. Families bring nappies when needed, together with spare clothing in a labelled bag.

In July 2023, parents could speak with key staff daily and were given ideas for continuing learning at home. A lending library let children take books home, connecting the emphasis on language with something families could use beyond the session. This was a practical bridge between preschool and home, rather than communication limited to progress updates.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the July 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), made excellent progress, supported by a knowledgeable special educational needs coordinator and relationships with portage and the specialist teaching service. This gives a concrete picture of support at that time: staff expertise was linked with outside agencies, rather than standing alone.

In July 2023, the Colour Monster book helped children explore emotions through discussion of how feelings look and feel. Staff wore illustrated emotion lanyards, giving children a visual reference as well as spoken explanations. Adults also lowered themselves to children's height when explaining behaviour expectations. The approach made feelings and boundaries easier to discuss in the course of ordinary play.

Preparation for school was part of the July 2023 account, with transition arrangements intended to help children get ready for the move. The local school visits described above belong to that preparation, rather than a promise about where a child will receive a place.

Dietary requirements are accommodated where possible, and the nursery's allergy policy aims for a nut-free setting. This is a stated aim, so allergy planning needs an individual discussion.

Sessions and Attendance

Iwade offers morning sessions from 8.45am to 11.45am and afternoon sessions from 11.45am to 2.45pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Attendance is during term time. These are separate session windows, giving families a choice between a morning and an afternoon pattern.

The address is Iwade Village Hall, Ferry Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 8RR. Enquiries go to the Iwade telephone number, 07592 544 285, or enquiries@tinkerbellspreschool.co.uk.

Children should remain away for 48 hours after a sickness bug. Nursery clothing can be bought, but wearing it is not compulsory; everyday clothes that can cope with messy activities are the sensible choice.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare is accepted, with provision for children from the term after their third birthday and for eligible two-year-olds. The attendance model is term time. Private fees can be paid by the week, month or term, which gives families some choice over payment timing.

Parents supply nappies where their child needs them. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation; families should distinguish the funded entitlement from any additional paid attendance when considering their arrangement.

• Four-day, term-time rhythm. Sessions run on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Families needing Tuesday attendance or holiday childcare will need to account for those days separately.
• Settling around your child. An individual settling period can be arranged, and potty training can continue with staff support. At a visit, discuss how the first sessions would work for your child's current routines.
• Allergy arrangements. The policy aims for a nut-free setting and accommodates dietary needs where possible. Families managing an allergy should confirm the current precautions for their child.
• Funded attendance and nappies. Funded places are accepted and parents bring nappies when needed. When discussing a place, ask how meals and any additional charges would work for the sessions you want.

Tinkerbells suits families seeking morning or afternoon preschool sessions during term time, with outdoor access and opportunities to explore the local area. Its July 2023 account gives substance to the Outstanding judgement: imaginative construction, emotional vocabulary, practical independence and connections between home and preschool all feature.

The decision is also practical. Four operating weekdays and a term-time calendar need to match family routines. For children ready for sessional preschool, the combination of a key person, individual settling arrangements and outdoor experiences gives parents clear points on which to judge the fit.