Opening hours
7:30am to 3:30pm, five days a week, term time only
Checkendon Pre-School
Ofsted: Good
(Jun 2024)
Number of places
30 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2024
Local authority
Oxfordshire
About this day nursery
Checkendon Pre-School, a Charity Incorporated Organisation established in 1979, offers a nurturing and stimulating environment for children aged 2 and above, including those still in nappies. Situated within a village hall in Checkendon, Oxfordshire, the pre-school benefits from its idyllic rural setting, utilising local woodlands and playing fields to foster curiosity and exploration.
The dedicated team of highly qualified practitioners provides high standards of care, adhering to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework to inspire children daily through a diverse range of activities. The pre-school operates term-time only, offering four sessions per day with flexible hours available, and also runs a breakfast club from 7:30 am for pre-schoolers and older children attending Checkendon Primary school.
Committed to working in close partnership with parents, Checkendon Pre-School ensures consistent care and shared understanding of each child’s developmental journey, aiming to build confidence and a lifelong love for learning.
Our ethos
Checkendon Pre-School is committed to inspiring children daily through a diverse range of activities, adhering to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. They aim to foster curiosity and exploration by utilising local woodlands and playing fields, and are dedicated to building children's confidence and a lifelong love for learning through close partnership with parents.
What it's like
Staff warmly greet children, who quickly form secure bonds and show a true sense of belonging. The staff interact with care and kindness, personalising questions based on their knowledge of each child. They celebrate achievements enthusiastically, which boosts children's self-esteem and confidence.
Charity-runRural locationBreakfast clubTerm-time only
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
- Pre-School Session Fee (2 year olds)£6.00 / hour
- Pre-School Session Fee (3 year olds)£5.50 / hour
- Breakfast Club£6.00 / session
- Early Start£3.00 / session
Key facts
Age range
2+ years
Term time / All Year
Term Time
Session types
Full day, Flexible hours, Breakfast club
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Checkendon Pre-School
Last inspected 12 June 2024
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
Staff warmly greet children, who quickly form secure bonds and show a true sense of belonging. The staff interact with care and kindness, personalising questions based on their knowledge of each child. They celebrate achievements enthusiastically, which boosts children's self-esteem and confidence.
Inspector highlights
- Children rush in, keen to play and explore the interesting activities on offer.
- Staff demonstrate high expectations for children's learning and consistently promote positive behaviour.
- Children show an eagerness to learn new facts, supported by real-life experiences like observing plant growth.
- Children relish their time outdoors in the fresh air, enhancing their well-being and physical development.
- Partnership with parents is strong, with staff keeping them well-informed about their children's progress.
Areas to develop
- 1support all staff to consider more carefully how daily routines impact on children's learning and development
- 2monitor and evaluate even more closely the impact of all staff's professional development programmes to benefit children further.
Inspection #10350911 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents report the good progress their children make, particularly in their speech, confidence and social skills.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
This includes supporting children’s individual communication, social and physical skills. Staff effectively target their support to address children’s emerging gaps, particularly for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They work collectively with parents and external professionals to design and implement individual interventions which ensure these children’s needs are met well.
Outdoor space
Children relish their time outdoors in the fresh air, which helps to enhance their well-being. They show increasing levels of stamina and control when they run around safely, such as when they catch and pop bubbles.
Parent Reviews of Checkendon Pre-School
5.0
(4)
Max Mullins
7 years ago
I have sent both of my children to the preschool and I can't recommend the checkendon ladies enough. The ladies are so encouraging and really do care about every child that goes. The preschool have such a variety of things to do on a daily basis. Diddi dance is a favourite with my son and of course the cooking! Sarah Mullins
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Kerri-Ann Higgins
7 years ago
Just after my daughter's 2nd birthday, I hesitantly decided to get back to the working full-time world which meant the daunting task of finding child care for my little girl. Well, just as I was about to sign the paper work for another nursery that I thought was good but not 100% what I was after and also had unsettling restrictions on hours that could be used for the 15hours free nursery funding (from 3yrs), I had another mother approach me and tell me about this little gem! She only had praise for them. I couldn't be happier! My daugher couldn't be happier (she asks to go to school to see her Checkendon ladies at the weekend)! What a lovely little school and group of ladies that genuinely care about the children and go the extra mile to make them happy and are so accommodating and flexibile in real world situations. I am so pleased my baby gets this home from home experience (including cooking, dancing, and learning) and urge you, if you're looking for somewhere you'd be happy to leave your child, to check them out! You won't regret it! Thank you ladies! KA
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Charlotte Goatley
7 years ago
Great pre school, my niece went and my daughter goes now. Both Kelly and Liz are wonderful ladies and have settled my daughter in wonderfully. She never wants to come home and cannot wait to go back in.
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Kelly Jarvis
7 years ago
Reviews from Google for Checkendon Pre-School. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: September 2017
- June 2024Good
- September 2018Good
- September 2017Good
Frequently asked about Checkendon Pre-School
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