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Blackdown Pre-School

Ofsted: Good
(Nov 2024)
·
4.1(9 parent reviews)
·Newfoundland Road, Deepcut, Camberley, GU16 6SY · Surrey
Number of places
30 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Nov 2024
Local authority
Surrey

About this day nursery

Blackdown Pre-School, located in Deepcut, Surrey, offers a welcoming and engaging environment where children aged two to four years are happy and enjoy exploring. The pre-school received an overall "Good" rating from Ofsted, reflecting significant improvements since its previous inspection.

Staff at Blackdown Pre-School have high expectations for all children, meticulously planning activities that target individual learning goals and promote good progress. For instance, they support the development of fine motor skills crucial for writing by encouraging children to use tweezers for picking up pom-poms.

The curriculum is well-embedded and challenges children appropriately, supported by effective tracking of development and strong partnerships with parents who are well-informed about their child's journey. Children are encouraged to develop independence, such as putting on their own coats and wellington boots, and they learn to follow routines.

The pre-school fosters good behaviour through clear rules and positive reinforcement, while also promoting language development through engaging conversations. Leaders have created a supportive team environment, investing in staff coaching and mentoring, which has elevated the quality of the provision.

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, demonstrating a positive culture that prioritises children's interests.

Our ethos

Blackdown Pre-School focuses on creating a welcoming and engaging environment with high expectations and meticulously planned activities that target individual learning goals. They support children's development in areas like fine motor skills and independence, while also fostering good behaviour, language development, and strong partnerships with parents.

What it's like

Children are happy at the pre-school and enjoy exploring their environment and resources for purposeful play, which helps them develop concentration skills. Staff tailor activities to children's individual learning goals, supporting skill development like pencil control with engaging methods. Moreover, staff promote good behaviour through clear rules and praise, teaching children appropriate conduct.

Good overall effectivenessHappy childrenTargeted learning goalsStrong parent partnershipsEffective safeguardingIndependence development

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)

Key facts

Opening hours

8am to 3pm, Monday to Friday

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Blackdown Pre-School

Last inspected 6 November 2024 · Hayley Kiely

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children are happy at the pre-school and enjoy exploring their environment and resources for purposeful play, which helps them develop concentration skills. Staff tailor activities to children's individual learning goals, supporting skill development like pencil control with engaging methods. Moreover, staff promote good behaviour through clear rules and praise, teaching children appropriate conduct.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are happy and engaged in purposeful play.
  • Staff have high expectations and plan activities to meet individual learning goals.
  • Staff support children to show good behaviour.
  • Leaders have made significant improvements since the last inspection.
  • Staff plan engaging activities to support children's physical development.

Areas to develop

  • 1consider ways to help children to develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe when they use online devices
  • 2support staff to encourage children to develop healthier eating habits.
Inspection #10356716 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents say that leaders are approachable and take on board any feedback that they give.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff track children's development effectively, which they share with parents. This helps them to identify whether children need additional support in their learning.

Outdoor space

Staff support children to develop their independence skills. For instance, they encourage children to put on their own coats and wellington boots before they go outside to play.

Parent Reviews of Blackdown Pre-School

4.1
(9)
Georgie Henry
10 months ago

This place used to be really good, my two sons loved it. However in the last year my daughter has been there, there has been several members of staff upping and leaving with no explanation, including the manager and they have replaced her with someone who is not qualified and doesn’t speak to and ‘hides’ from parents to avoid any communication. Not to mention the inadequate Ofsted rating they had at the end of the 2024 academic year. Two of the staff members have been excellent, only being young themselves. But the management and trustees make a hostile environment for parents and really let the place down.

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evonne Walsh
10 months ago

I cannot praise this preschool enough !! It has had a complete turnaround this year and the team here are amazing. Having had two children in this preschool, one under old management and staff and the other under the new management and staff, the difference is incredible and definitely a change for the better. I would definitely recommend this preschool x

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Kerrie Curtis
8 months ago

Many thanks to Blackdown Pre-school for their very kind offer of children's bicycles. As a Charity Pre-school ourselves we appreciate their donation. Good luck with all your new starters in September. Heatherside Pre-school.

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Dan Katona
10 months ago

This preschool used to be absolutely amazing. When my child first started, the manager and staff worked as a brilliant, unified team. If parents raised concerns, they were listened to with respect, and action was taken. There was a real sense of trust, warmth, and professionalism from the staff, and it was clear the children were happy and well cared for. Unfortunately, over the past few months, everything has gone downhill. Multiple staff members, including the manager, left within a short space of time. The trustees refused to explain why, but it’s become clear that staff were unhappy with the changes the committee wanted to bring in - changes that weren’t in the best interest of the children. Communication with parents has become poor, and the current leadership feels cold, dismissive, and unapproachable. Decisions are being made by the committee without any input from staff or parents, and it’s caused a lot of frustration, confusion, and distrust. What was once a nurturing, welcoming environment now feels tense and chaotic. Many families no longer feel heard or valued, and the atmosphere is nothing like it used to be. If my son were due to return in September, I would absolutely be finding another setting for him. I also know of several other parents currently trying to secure placements elsewhere because of how things have been handled. The heart of the preschool has been lost.

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P Pannum
7 years ago

Our son started preschool approx 4 weeks ago age 2. He was understandably shy, nervous and cried initially but the wonderful staff handled his emotions and experiences extremely well and gave me the confidence to persevere despite the tears. The facilities are great for little ones especially the outdoor area, considerate staff take the time to talk parents and understand any concerns / help to resolve any settling in issues. Overall my experience of this preschool has been very positive and I would happily recommend to any friends or family.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Blackdown Pre-School. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history
Improved from Inadequate → Good in 2024

Date: June 2024

  • November 2024Good
  • June 2024Inadequate

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