Caterpillars Pre-School (Sussex)

Opening hours

Morning Sessions: 08.45 till 11.45, Afternoon Sessions: 11.45 till 2.45

Age range

9mths-5

Term time / All Year

Mixed

Food

Snacks included

Registered with Ofsted

2013

sabrina khan

7 months ago

My husband and I took time and care looking for the right nursery/preschool for our child to attend. Our eldest son, started at West Green when he was 1 and half years old. The staff have cared and nurtured our son for the last 3 years and we class the Caterpillars staff as our family. We moved over to Southgate when the nurseries merged together, these changes meant the best staff have been retained. Even though there were establishments that are closer to us, we chose to drive further out to drop our child where we know that he is loved and cared for. We trust each and every member so much that our youngest boy, one and half years old now attends Caterpillars. We get updates on an app which tells us how he is doing during the day, I get update when I collect him and I have a lovely relationship with the people that we put our trust in to care for our child whilst we are working. Highly recommend.

kandice196

a year ago

Really tried not to review this place as I also work in the sector but OMG! the show around is very brief with no introductions or talking really. Did not know who the manager was until I asked someone who kept talking to me if they were, as I had a issue with someone taking my child's coat. Bad communication! Lunch items get lost and not put back in child's bag. Lied about how long my child would be asleep for as one person would say within the time I asked and another said over 2 hours. Lied about my child having an accident, when I definitely know she did. Lied about my child eating when I asked about nothing in her lunch bag was opened to then be told she didn't want anything the following day. Collected my child a few times with snot running down her face, and I know exactly how long someone hasn't paid attention to her as I have to constantly keep checking her, which is awful! Inappropriate and confidential questions being asked in front of everyone that shouldn't be asked at all. Very unprofessional! Attempted to charge me for a day THEY decided to close and hold their nativity on eventhough she wouldn't have used all her funded hours and even if she did the children who only use funded hours still got invited to the nativity free of charge. They still can't tell me why they're attempting to charge me! Real shame as my daughter enjoyed her time there and settled fairly quickly and there are definitely a few great staff here but it's not the leadership team, at all!

Marie inHolland

a year ago

The first impression was generally positive: the viewing was brief but warm and informative. However, the initial interaction was quite different. The person who opened the door was friendly, but when she called the manager , her demeanor was quite cold. She didn't introduce herself (I still don’t know her name),No hello, just proceeded talking vaguely without making eye contact. As someone from the Netherlands with over 30+ years old I have never seen this, maybe because I am small and she think that I am a teenager Perhaps Later, when picking up my child in the afternoon, the person who opened the door I believe called her and she stood by the door to inform me that everything had gone well with the little one while I was still some distance away retrieving the little ones bags and jacket. (I could only see her head)This felt off and somewhat weird . I hope things gets better as me and little one are settling

Jenny Carey

3 years ago

Both my boys have attended the Caterpillars Southgate and West Green settings from the age of 1 to 5. Although there have been a few changes over the years as to be expected, many of the core staff have remained the same. The managers really do care about the children and parents, whilst ensuring the business can continue to operate under very restricted government funding. They regularly put on activities and events for the children and parents (Easter, Jubilee & Christmas parties, Nativity, Graduation Ceremony for school leavers, parents sessions, baking, crafts and face painting etc) and never ask for contributions towards the cost of these. They also provide extended hours and holiday clubs, and even offer a breakfast and after school option for children at Hilltop Primary. They are extremely flexible and understanding of the needs of working parents. Both my boys have thrived here - running in happily every day, being encouraged to use the potty, wash their hands and eat healthily, and having lots of outdoor play as well as lots of learning through play. I definitely recommend arranging a viewing with Cathie, and sending your children to Caterpillars.

Amy Mishkin

3 years ago

I had high hopes for this pre-school but they’re unprofessional, chaotic and understaffed. They lack communication, had no routine or structure for the child’s day and seemed the children are just left to run riot. At the end of each day collecting my child was a mission. One day we were allowed in to rummage threw the mass amount of belongings that are everywhere to find our child’s stuff, and then the next day they’ll bring them to the door, usually with half their stuff missing. There is no routine and this isn’t good for the children either. They never updated tapestry so I never knew what my child had been up to or their progress. It wasn’t a great over all experience. I didn’t even get introduced to my child’s key worker or learn the member of staffs names.