Thatcham Pre-School

A grassed outdoor area, a mud kitchen and daily opportunities to move between indoor and outdoor play give Thatcham Pre-School its character. Based at Burdwood Community Centre in Thatcham, it takes children aged two to five and runs during term time. Play follows children's interests, with space for making, pretending and physical activity.

At its November 2021 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and found that children made good progress. That judgement is dated. The current offer combines morning, afternoon and all-day sessions, making the setting relevant to families seeking shorter preschool attendance as well as a day spanning the school-hours window.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, children learn through play, with activities planned around their interests. Daily choices include sensory activities, creative work, role play and physical play, alongside opportunities to explore water and sand. These give children different ways to participate, whether they prefer making something, investigating materials or acting out an experience.

In November 2021, staff used observations of children to decide what to introduce next. During storytelling, they expanded the language used to describe mud; during puzzles, they encouraged children to notice how colours helped pieces fit. The practical value was in the interaction. Adults extended an activity rather than simply supplying its answer.

Imaginative play also featured in November 2021. Children recreated familiar domestic tasks, including looking after dolls and pretending to iron. These shared scenarios gave them something to organise together and talk about, connecting play with experiences they recognised.

Outdoor and Community Life

The outdoor space has grass, climbing equipment and a mud kitchen. Children can choose to move between the inside and outside areas, with daily access dependent on the weather. For families who value physical play, this is a concrete part of the offer, rather than an occasional outing.

In November 2021, children experimented with climbing apparatus and moving through tunnels. When a tunnel proved difficult, staff prompted them to remember an earlier solution, and children kept trying until they completed the task independently. That example shows how a physical challenge could also become an opportunity to practise persistence.

For activities beyond preschool, the parent-information resources include 50 Things to Do | West Berkshire, offering ideas for things to do locally before children turn five. It is a resource for families, rather than a claim that the preschool runs those activities itself.

Relationships and Communication

In November 2021, staff collected information from families before children started, using it to understand their existing skills and plan subsequent learning. Parents received updates about care and learning, but some wanted more practical ideas for supporting learning at home. The improvement priority was to strengthen information-sharing and give parents more opportunity to contribute their views.

Gentle interactions were another feature of daily life in November 2021. Children responded to instructions and moved from tidying activities to listening to a story. Staff encouraged them to attempt tasks independently and acknowledged their efforts, giving everyday routines a role in developing self-reliance.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the November 2021 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities effective. Current staff roles include a Designated Safeguarding Lead and a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, with additional SENCo support and paediatric first-aid training represented in the team.

In November 2021, health activities included practising tooth-cleaning and learning about oral health through stories. Healthy snacks and outdoor exercise also featured, although communication with parents about healthy food choices needed greater consistency. That detail matters alongside the broader positive judgement: families' role in reinforcing learning was an area for further work.

Sessions and Attendance

Opening hours are 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. Morning sessions run from 9am to 11.30am, afternoon sessions from 12.30pm to 3pm, and all-day sessions from 9am to 3pm. Lunch club occupies the intervening period, from 11.30am to 12.30pm.

Flexible childcare is also offered subject to availability. Families may submit an enrolment form early, with children joining the waiting list until their start. Enquiries can be made through the contact form, and the preschool aims to reply within 48 hours.

Getting There

The preschool's address is 8 The Burdwood Centre, Thatcham, RG19 4YA, with the setting based at Burdwood Community Centre on Wheelers Green Way. Local bus routes, Thatcham town centre and Thatcham train station are within walking distance.

Funding and Paid Extras

The preschool offers the 15 and 30 hour Government funded places for children aged two to four; attendance is term-time. Private childcare is invoiced monthly in advance, and families should obtain current prices in a written quotation. A registration charge includes a preschool T-shirt, while further uniform can be purchased separately.

Families provide lunch boxes for lunch club, and healthy snacks are supported by a separately invoiced voluntary contribution; the preschool's lunch-box policy excludes nuts and foods containing them. This makes lunch preparation part of the family's routine, while the snack contribution remains voluntary.

• School-hours attendance. The latest finish is 3pm and care runs during term time. Morning and afternoon sessions offer shorter options, but the timetable needs to fit your working day and holiday arrangements.
• Home learning and parent feedback. In November 2021, communication needed further development, including ideas for learning at home and consistent healthy-eating messages. At a visit, ask how updates and opportunities for parent feedback now work.
• Lunch boxes and allergies. Lunch club requires food from home, with nuts and nut-containing foods excluded by policy. Allergy-affected families should confirm current practice during the settling discussion.

Thatcham Pre-School suits families seeking term-time preschool care, whether through morning attendance, afternoon sessions or an all-day pattern. Its clearest practical strengths are child-chosen play, a grassed outdoor area and the mud kitchen. The Good judgement from November 2021 provides a dated quality reference; the communication improvement priority deserves attention alongside it. The decision rests on whether this play-based offer and school-hours timetable match your child's needs and your family's routine.