Delarue Crickets Pre-school

Baby ducklings, woodland trips and vegetable chopping gave learning a practical character at Delarue Crickets Pre-school in May 2023. At its 4 May 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Outstanding, found safeguarding effective and praised the progress of children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Based in Tonbridge, the pre-school has 26 places in total. Children attending in May 2023 were aged two to four; that is the age range at that visit, rather than a current admissions statement.

In May 2023, activities connected physical skills with conversation and exploration. Children tackled a climbing frame at their own pace, while play dough and singing brought hand movements and language together. Basic signing helped staff include children in their interactions.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: everyday play supports communication, movement and relationships. In May 2023, staff shaped activities around children's developmental stages and previous experiences, giving them opportunities to try something new.

Vegetables and jars made pretend soup preparation a useful exercise in independence. Children cut different textures and worked with screw-top lids, combining practical hand skills with discussion of healthy eating. Trips to nearby woodland extended physical exploration beyond the setting, while caring for ducklings introduced an experience centred on emotions.

In May 2023, books were accessible for children to choose independently, including the youngest attending. This gave language learning another route alongside singing, signing and conversation: children could follow their own interest in books rather than depend entirely on an adult choosing for them. Communication also shaped staff development. Managers had identified children's language needs and arranged further training for staff, connecting the team's learning with the needs of the children attending.

Planning involved ongoing discussion rather than just a list of activities. In May 2023, staff discussed children's development during daily conversations with managers and regular supervision, and reviewed the curriculum together. For families, the useful detail is the connection between those discussions and everyday teaching: staff shared their knowledge of children when deciding how to develop activities.

In May 2023, staff allowed children time to settle and talked with parents about their needs. Adults responded consistently to children's feelings, and children offered one another comfort. These details give families a concrete picture of how relationships worked at the time.

In May 2023, safeguarding responsibilities included recognising possible harm, recording concerns and reporting them. The designated safeguarding lead understood the reporting route, while staff knew how to escalate concerns about an adult working with children through the whistle-blowing policy. Managers regularly discussed safeguarding scenarios with the team. These are practical mechanisms behind the dated safeguarding judgement: they describe how concerns could move from an observation to action.

Supervision extended to children's play in May 2023, and managers considered safety when organising activities. Staff also assessed risks in practical tasks such as vegetable cutting. This matters alongside the emphasis on independence: children had opportunities to handle tools and attempt physical challenges, with adults considering how they could take part safely.

Professional advice informed support for children with SEND, with funding directed towards individual needs. Parents could borrow learning resources for home and discuss concerns with staff. Communication continued through ordinary routines: adults sat alongside children eating their lunch boxes, listened to their answers and kept conversation manageable.

The address is Poplar Meadow, Welland Road, Tonbridge, TN10 3TD. Opening hours are 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time, with closure during school holidays. That timetable makes holiday cover a separate consideration for working families.

In May 2023, the pre-school received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated account of participation, rather than a promise of a funded place today.

• Term-time timetable. The 9am to 3pm opening window and school-holiday closures need to fit the family's working hours and arrangements for holiday care.
• Communication support. Basic signing and staff training in communication were part of practice in May 2023. On a visit, ask how these approaches would support your child's present language needs.

For families whose routines fit term-time opening, Delarue Crickets merits consideration on the strength of its Outstanding judgement from May 2023. The strongest examples from that period combine practical independence, language and attention to individual development. Its opening timetable is the decisive practical fit; the inspection offers a detailed, dated picture of care and learning.