Leybourne Pre-School

Doctor role play, bicycle manoeuvres and teachers reading stories give Leybourne Pre-School's April 2025 experience its character: conversation, practical independence and preparation for the next stage. The setting has 30 places in total and is based at the Village Hall in Leybourne.

Ofsted rated the pre-school Good at its 23 April 2025 inspection and judged safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged two to five. That age range describes the inspection-time group rather than a current admissions offer.

In April 2025, the curriculum emphasised children's social and emotional development alongside language and communication. The early years foundation stage sets the framework for learning, development and care: here, play gave children opportunities to practise conversation, coordination and independence.

During doctor role play, staff drew on children's experiences and introduced vocabulary connected with treatment. Listening and questions helped children put their ideas into words. Threading bracelets and posting corks into containers gave them practice using their hands; outdoors, bicycles and ball games brought movement and control into the day.

Numbers also appeared in practical routines, including cereal dispensers marked to guide portions. Counting received attention, but teaching needed to develop children's understanding of shape, space and measurement more fully. This was the specific improvement priority in April 2025.

At the April 2025 inspection, Ofsted found close relationships between children and staff, effective communication with parents and excellent support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). These findings give the care arrangements substance beyond the overall grade.

In April 2025, staff used developmental assessments to respond to concerns and worked with families, speech and language therapists, and inclusion professionals. Parents could discuss learning through parents' evenings and coffee afternoons, as well as everyday conversations, helping them continue that support at home.

Community experiences included a harvest-time church visit about helping people in need. Teachers from local schools also visited to read stories. Those encounters offered children contact with the people involved in their next stage of learning.

The address is Village Hall, Little Market Row, Leybourne, West Malling, ME19 5QL.

In April 2025, opening hours were 9am to 3pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, with Thursday ending at midday. Attendance was term-time only. These are dated opening hours, rather than separate bookable session types. At that time, the pre-school received funding for eligible children.

• Early mathematics. In April 2025, teaching needed to extend beyond counting into other mathematical ideas. Look for how shape, space and measurement now feature in children's play.
• Term-time routine. The April 2025 pattern included a shorter Thursday. At a visit, what attendance pattern would fit your family's week now?

Leybourne's April 2025 picture suits families who value conversation, practical play and close collaboration around children's development. The term-time timetable then suited a family routine built around daytime provision. Mathematics was the clear area for further development, alongside a Good overall judgement and concrete examples of support and school preparation.