Nursery Advice
Claim Your Nursery

Benhall Preschool

Ofsted: Expected standard·School Lane, Benhall, Saxmundham, IP17 1HE · Suffolk
Number of places
30 places
Age range
2–5 yrs
Last inspected
Nov 2025
Local authority
Suffolk

About this day nursery

Benhall Preschool, established in 2017, is a childcare setting for children aged 2-6 years in Saxmundham. The preschool was rated 'Good' in its latest Ofsted inspection on 27 November 2025.

Leaders at Benhall Preschool have a clear vision for what they want children to learn and achieve, with a consistent focus on children's welfare and wellbeing. Staff build warm, nurturing bonds with children, helping them to feel secure and develop their trust and confidence.

The preschool prides itself on its robust SEND provision, ensuring that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive tailored support. This includes adaptations to the environment and the use of a new sensory shed, which offers a calming space for children to regulate their emotions.

Benhall Preschool also places a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, with staff effectively planning for children who thrive in external environments. The spacious outdoor area encourages imaginative play, physical development, and social interaction.

Our ethos

Benhall Preschool is committed to fostering confident, curious, and resilient learners by providing a nurturing and inclusive environment. Their approach emphasises independence and a love for discovery through a balance of child and adult-led activities.

What it's like

Children arrive happy and ready to begin their day at Benhall Preschool. They enjoy learning, settle quickly, and work together on games, with staff extending their understanding. Staff narrate play and repeat key vocabulary, helping children become confident in their speaking skills and learn to take turns. Staff model interactions and provide clear support, adapting activities so all children can take part and stay engaged.

Strong safeguardingSupportive staffOutdoor learning emphasisEffective SEND provisionClear visionPrioritises well-being

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)

Key facts

Food

Healthy snacks provided (vegetables grown by children, local farm shop purchases, donations from community fridge/Tesco); nut-free setting with dietary requirement procedures

Opening hours

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 08:00 - 16:00

Session types

Flexible sessional care, Full time day care, Holiday care, Breakfast club, After school club

Age range

From 2 years old

Established

2017

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Expected standard

Last inspected Nov 2025

Headline: Expected standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
Expected standard
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementExpected standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesExpected standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingStrong standard
Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
InclusionStrong standard
Leadership and governanceStrong standard
Age range
2 to 6
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Benhall Preschool

Last inspected 27 November 2025

Safeguarding effective

What it's like to attend

Children arrive happy and ready to begin their day at Benhall Preschool. They enjoy learning, settle quickly, and work together on games, with staff extending their understanding. Staff narrate play and repeat key vocabulary, helping children become confident in their speaking skills and learn to take turns. Staff model interactions and provide clear support, adapting activities so all children can take part and stay engaged.

Inspector highlights

  • Leaders consistently prioritise children's welfare and wellbeing.
  • Leaders have a clear vision for what they want children to learn and achieve, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
  • Professional development at the preschool has a clear impact.
  • Children make secure progress from their starting points.
  • Leaders set clear expectations for children's behaviour.
  • Staff support children's individual preferences and learning styles well.
  • Safeguarding standards are met.

Areas to develop

  • 1Leaders should enhance how daily routines are used to support children’s learning and behaviour.
Inspection #10143472 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

This responsive approach ensures that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, receive tailored support effectively meeting their individual needs. Leaders have a clear vision for what they want children to learn and achieve, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well and make the necessary adaptations so they can attend and join in safely alongside their peers. The new sensory shed offers children a place to manage their emotions with growing independence. Targeted plans, parent partnerships, and links with other professionals help children to make secure progress.

Outdoor space

Staff plan effectively for children who prefer to learn outdoors. The outdoor area offers space for imaginative play, turn-taking and negotiating with others. Children build strength as they move crates and large items outdoors, and develop physical skills as they move with confidence, exploring their surroundings, running, and using large spaces to build their confidence.

Frequently asked about Benhall Preschool

Nearby day nurseries in Saxmundham

Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Benhall Preschool.

Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details.

Claim listing

Share this nursery

Send to a partner, friend or family member.

This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more