Eton Pre-School

A bug hotel, books in two languages and children working together to move soil: Eton Pre-School’s April 2022 inspection captured a setting where play had a clear educational purpose. At that inspection, Ofsted rated it Outstanding overall, with children’s interests shaping activities and staff extending learning through carefully chosen challenges. These are dated observations, rather than a description of today’s daily timetable.

Based in Eton at St John's Church Hall, accessed from Sun Close, the pre-school has 38 places in total. Its current pre-school offer starts at two and a half and continues until children move to school; Toast club provides after-school care for ages 3 to 9, including collection from Eton Porny School. Morning, afternoon and full-day patterns operate during term time. The combination gives families a choice between a shorter pre-school day and care extending into the afternoon.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children’s learning, development and care: play supports communication, physical skills and growing independence. Eton’s approach gives children room to develop their own ideas, experiment and persist, using activities with more than one possible outcome. This makes the process of exploring important alongside whatever a child produces.

In April 2022, activities were adapted to individual interests. Penguins brought a child’s enthusiasm into sensory play, while new books extended the experience of keen readers. During stories, children explored rhyme and letter sounds, and staff used signing to involve children with communication difficulties. These examples show how one shared activity could offer different ways to participate, rather than expecting every child to approach it identically.

Physical development also had a practical purpose in April 2022. Painting water onto a wall exercised children’s shoulders and arms, while outdoor equipment supported balance and coordination. When a bag of compost proved too heavy, children used buckets and spades to move soil together. The task gave them a reason to solve a problem, cooperate and keep trying.

Outdoor and Community Life

The garden’s bug hotel was a centre of exploration in April 2022, with children examining worms, snails and woodlice. Carrot growing and close observation of a snail connected conversation to living things children could actually investigate. The value lay in the questions these experiences generated, rather than simply spending time outside.

Also in April 2022, the mud kitchen included woks and Balti dishes, bringing different cultural experiences into imaginative play. A lending library contained dual-language books and reflected children’s backgrounds. Together, these resources linked play and reading to family life, giving children familiar experiences to share with others.

At its April 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and identified strong communication support, including specialist staff training, signing, mirrors and sheltered spaces that helped children with additional needs or hearing difficulties. The safeguarding findings included staff knowing how to report concerns, regular knowledge refreshers and close monitoring of attendance. This was an assessment of practice at that date.

Relationships were also visible in April 2022: children read to one another, showed affection and remembered shared expectations during group discussions. Staff, parents and childminders coordinated children’s next learning steps, including mark-making and number activities. For a child attending more than one setting, that coordination meant adults could work towards the same priorities.

Current staff experience includes support for additional needs, additional languages and speech and language development, alongside paediatric first aid training. Children do not have to complete toilet training before starting: staff help families continue the process. That is a useful practical distinction for parents whose child is ready for pre-school but still developing toileting independence.

Snacks usually include fruit and toast, with milk at snack times and water throughout the day; families supply lunch when children stay over midday. Snacks can change to introduce different learning experiences, so food is also part of children’s exploration.

Sessions and Attendance

Morning sessions run from 8.30am to 11.30am, afternoons from noon to 3pm, and full days from 8.30am to 3pm. The attendance patterns are five mornings, five afternoons or five full days, depending on the child’s age and availability. This is a regular weekly pattern, rather than an invitation to assume individual days can be booked separately.

Extended Pre-School runs from 3pm to 3.30pm. Toast club adds after-school care, with finishing options of 4.30pm or 5.30pm; it serves children aged 3 to 9 and includes pickups from Eton Porny School. A Toast club booking is needed to secure the arrangement. Families can therefore distinguish the main pre-school session from the additional care that follows it.

The pre-school operates for 38 weeks each year. Toast club’s calendar can differ from the pre-school calendar, which matters when coordinating care around school holidays. Applications are made by returning the application form to join the waiting list, and enquiries can be made by email or telephone. Open days take place in March and October, with bookings made by email.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded provision includes 15 hours from the term after a child’s third birthday, delivered as five morning or five afternoon sessions. Some two-year-olds may qualify for funded sessions, and the pre-school offers 30-hour funded places, subject to eligibility and availability. Provision is term-time, so these arrangements need to fit alongside care during holidays. Private sessions are also offered, and tax-free childcare is accepted.

After-school care and extended sessions carry additional fees. The pre-school also asks families for an enhanced contribution towards children’s experience; uniform is optional. Families provide lunch, including when using funded sessions. Families should request a written quotation for their chosen attendance pattern, while the sessions and fees page explains the attendance and funding structure.

• A five-session rhythm. The main patterns are five mornings, five afternoons or five full days, subject to age and availability. Consider which rhythm fits your child and the family’s working week.
• Term-time coverage. Pre-school runs for 38 weeks, and Toast club dates can differ. Match both calendars to the periods when your family needs care.
• Contributions and supplies. Extended sessions and after-school care have additional charges, and families are asked for an enhanced contribution. What does that contribution cover, and which non-food supplies should families bring?
• Seeing the learning in practice. Open days are held in March and October and booked by email. Use the visit to discuss how activities are adapted to your child’s interests and communication needs, the themes that stood out in April 2022.

Eton Pre-School suits families seeking a consistent term-time pattern, whether that means mornings, afternoons or full days, with the option of additional afternoon care. Toast club also gives families using Eton Porny School a collection arrangement alongside the pre-school provision.

The April 2022 picture was rich in purposeful play: investigating insects, sharing books and solving practical problems together. Current provision retains an emphasis on children developing ideas through play. The decision rests on whether its weekly attendance rhythm, term-time calendar and additional-care arrangements fit your family.